The Sentinel=record., 1914-03-07
REPEAL OF THE CANAL TOLL CLAUSE IS CONSIDERED BY
 BOTH BRANCHES.
AMENDMENT IS PROPOSED
Senator Chiffon Would Leave Assess. ment of Tolls Discretionary with the President and Save Retroerade Ac- ton by Congress.

Washington, March 6.-Initial steps to repeal the tolls exemption clause of the Panama canal act as requested by President Wilson were taken in congress today when the house committee on interstate com merce reported favorably a bill to strike out the provision. In the sen- ate the committee on inter-oceanic canals decided to meet next week to consider the appeal of the presi- dent for reversal of policy in the controversy which involves the Hay Pauncefote treaty and, in the opin- ion of the president, the general for etgn relations policy of the admins tration.
 While the house is debating the issue next week, the senate commit tee will consider what course to pur- sue; whether to recommend a flat repeal bill or to urge the compro- mise bill offered by Senator Chiffon of West Virginia, a member of the committee which would authorize the president to regulate tolls and assess charges at his discretion, where ex- act
 'I believe that more senators would vote for my amendment than will support a flat repeal measure" said Senator Chiffon tonight. Though the amendment would ac- complish repeal of toll exemption Tn- directly it would not repudiate the democratic platform plank endorsing toll exemption, and senators whU tlatly refuse to, go back on that plank could vote for it.
 h the house there was quick re- spOnse to the presidents address, the committee voting 13 to to favor ably report the Sims repeal bill. Ab- sent members who were recorded, made the vote r to 4.
 Chairman Adamson had ready a draft of the report when the commit tee met It based approval of the Sims bill on the same two broad grounds set forth in the presidents message, general international comi- ty, and the immediate foreign situa- tion confronting the country Rep resentatiye Knowland of California, who led the opposition in the com mittee was "iyen three days to file a report anl Chairman Adam son was authorized to urge the rules committee to report a special rule to hasten the bill through the house The matter will be pressed at once and it is expected a rule will be brought in to the house. probably by Thursday of next week
 Mir. AdadmsOn will take charge of the situation in the house as ma jority Leader Underwood for the first time during the administration finds himself on the an,. aumm1stration side Of the question. Representative Underwood has announced his inten- tion of not only voting against the bill, but also of making a speech against it. Despite thid however. the leaders of the repeal forces de- clared today they were assured of a substantial majority to carry out the presidents will. In its report today the committee which provided for uniform tolls in the canal act as originally reported, reiterated it's DO. sition.
 We deem it proper now" said the report, "to consider the international situation and our obligations and policy in relation thereto. True there has been as yet no friction nor even strained relations with foreign gov ernmcnts. but we are advised the opposite party to the principal treaty under which the canal was construct ed fails to approve our action in pro- viding for the exemption or to con- cur in our construction of the treaty. Other maritime nations hold the same dissenting opinion and in the whole family of nations we stand alone in our contentious In such situation it is not always neces- sary or wise to urge our contention, even though convinced of our ab' stract right. We are not disturbed by the taunt made for a purpose, that repeal would he trucking and yielding to foreign demands A sim liar taunt could be lodged against any man or nation honorable enough to promote friendly relations by ac. cording respectful consideration to views of the opposite party.
 After a discussion of the provis- ions of the Hay-P Pauncefote treaty and the declaration that the coast wise trade of the United States does not need the assistance of free tolls the committee report said:
 The foreign goiyernments object ing to our construction of the treaty can find a hundred points in the worlds commerce to retaliate and dis. criminate where we may blunder into using one. Our resources genius and geographical position equip us to defy the world to outstrin us on fair and