The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-04-01

WASHINGTON, April with the
administration victorious in its fight
to repeal the free tolls clause Of the
Panama act, in the House, the scene
of conflict shifted today to the Sen
ate, where the battle will be waged As
bitterly. or more SO. than it vas among
the representatives.
Though the opponents Of the meas
ure were astounded by the majority
Of IS, which its supporters piled up in
response to the plea Of President VIII
son in the house where 1t was carried
by a vote of 247 to 162, they declared
that there would be no lessening in
the fierceness of their attack.
,sss-s-. Owen Optimistic. --
Senator Owen Of Oklahoma today
told President Wilson that the tolls re-
peal measure would have a majority of
at least sixteen in the senate. This
was the largest estimate made by
any administration leader In the sem
ate. Senator Owen threw down the
gage Of battle to Senator O'Gorman,
chairman OF the inter-oceanic canal
committee.
81 certainly think that one week is
sufficient time for the committee to
consider the Sims BILL" said Owen.
eff the committee OF which a majority
is opposed to the repeal does not re-
port in at this time, a motion will be
made In the Senate to discharge the
committee from further consideration
Of the measure"
Senator O'Gorman said he would call
a meeting of the committee next Tues
day to consider the repeal bill.
An amendment to the repeal bill
providing that the repeal shall not be
construed as surrender Of American
rights to control coastwise traffic and
directing the President to move for the
arbitration Of the tolls question was
introduced today by Sen. Norris.
Fate Of Bill Uncertain.
The fate of the bill In the Senate Is
uncertain. It's advocates claim a ma
jority of from two to five In the upper
chamber, but this is a narrow margin
that may be wiped out entirely. The
debate in the Senate certainly VIII be
protracted. The general opinion II
that the discussion will last from six
weeks to two months, with the proba-
bility that the final vote will be taken
about May first.
Final action depends in great meas
ure on the action taken by the COM
mittee on interoceanic canals. which
will take up consideration Of the re-
peal measure next week. Senator
O'Gorman of New York, is chairman
of this committee and he is the lead
ing Democratic opponent OF the pres
ident's repeal policy in the senate.
Expect Quick Action.
Despite O'Gorman's opposition, how
ever, it is not believed that any at
tempt will be made to pigeon-hole the
measure, though It is not expected that
any immediate action will be taken.
The other members of the commit
tee are Senators Thornton, Of Louis
lana; Chiffon. of West Virginia:
Shields, of Tennessee; Walsh of Mon
tana; Thomas of Colorado: Owen, OF
Oklahoma; Simmons, Of North Caro-
lima; Brandegee, of Connecticut: Bor-
ah, of Idaho; Crawford of South Da-
kota; Bristow. of Kansas; Perkins, of
California; and Page Of Vermont
Senator Borah, who is. pnp sof the
best fighters of the Republican party
will be allied with Senator Norman
in opposing the tolls repeal. The chief
burden Of leading the administration
forces in the committee will fall upon
Senator Simmons ana 4enator Owen.