The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-26
WILSON PERFECTS
TOLLS REPEAL PLAN
Representatives Agree to Put
Through Bill When Presi-
dent Gives Word.
LETTERS TO BE SENT OUT
Underwood Will Not Fight for
a Partly Free Canal, but
VIII Vote for One.

WASHINGTON. Feb. ga plan was
devised at the White House to-day by
which the Sims bill for the repeal Of the pro-
Vision in the Panama Canal act exempt,ng
American coastwisc vessels from payment
Of tolls will be put through the House the
moment the word Is given by the Admins
,ra;lon.
The question was discussed by President
Wilson with Representative sherlcy OF
Kentucy and some other Administration
leaders An alliance has been perfected
between the Administration ana Mr.. Will
sons legislative colleagues which, Il is
believed, insures prompt action on the
sims bill despite the fact that Leader
Underwood will stand on the side lines
while tho fight Is going on.
Action on the Sims bill in the House
Committee on Interstate and Foreign Com
nerce will be deferred for week or more.
In the meantime the House membership
will be csnvsssed. The belief is general
that Il majority in the House favors the
Sims bill
u was decided that In due season the
President should forward letters to MEM
hers of the House and Senate urging
,he advisability of passing the Sims bill
Owing TO the international aspects %.
.he case Il was agreed that II would he
question informally In a letter rather
sAan 20 take 1t up in formal message
Letter 90 ne sent by Wilson.
In Ills letter che President will COM
men. OF tho toll question at length. deal
,ng lightly, however. with the interna-
t.cnal phase.
- the time the letter has reached
the leaders OF both houses the way will
lave been prepared for report on the
Sins bill and 4 plan perfected Tor its
consideration in the House shortly there
ate.
IN the meantime the interests of the
steering committee in sympathy with
President Wilson on the toll question.
Tbs course is rendered necessary by tho
refusal OF Representative Underwood TO
lead the fight for repeal
The committee will be made up OF Rep
reseutative Adamson of Georgia. chair
man Of the Committee on Interstate Com.
mercc. Representative Covington OF Mary
land member of the committee. and
Representatives Palmer and She-ley.
When II was first learned that Leader
Underwood was at odds with the Pres =
dent on the toll question fears were on
tertained for the fate OF the Sims bill.
Representative Kitchin OF North Caro-
Ina WAS then expected to take charge of
the bill. He too Informed the President
tina. he was opposed TO the Sims bill
Finally the steering committee plan was
approved at the White House conference
to-day.
Underwood Changed Course.
Mr. Underwood up to this time had
Invariably followed the course suggested
by President Wilson. 1t has been ex-
planned that ne could not see his way
clear TO approve the exemption clause
repeal because OF the strong support hs
gave IL when IL was originally adopted
However. there is good reason TO believe
that Mr. Underwood was influenced b,
the large coastwisc shipping interest o.
Alabama and the insistence OF bushes:
men In that State that tho exemption
clause should stand.
There is no bad feeling between Presi
dent Wilson and Leader Underwood owe
the tolls question. From all that can b'
learned Mr.. Underwood will not fight tn
repeal bill. lie will vote against 1t an'
probably make brief speech in oppos!
ton
Tho President impressed upon his caller
to-day the urgent necessity for action OF
the bill. He went into tho international
features OF the case with n degree .
frankness that he could not indulge j.
either in public letter or message L
Congress.
II is understood that the Preslden; toll
his callers that this was an opportun
tmo to remove the cause for friction
with the European Powers engendere'
whsn Congress adopted the provision o
giving American coastwise vessels IRE
access 10 The lsthmian waterway.
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