The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-11
Leaders Consider Pro
posal to Reverse Ma
tional Policy.
MAY BE TAKEN UP
BY HOUSE CAUCUS
Senators Chiffon and Simmons
Let 1t Be Known Their Minds
Are Open on Subject-Mem-
bers Will Discuss With
President Amendments
to Antitrust Bills.

Washington, February lO-President
Wilson's desire that Congress repeal
the provision Of the Panama Canal
act. eNcmptirE American coastwise
shipping from toll charges, TO day con-
tinued as IN absorbing subject Of in
terest in Congress. and there develop
ell a discussion of n plan for a Demo
cratic conference on the subject in the
House as well rs in the Senate.
Majority leaders OF the Interocea ME
Canal Committee, In the Senate. WHO
argued and voted for the exemption
consideration the proposal to reverse
the national policy. Those vino et
he known to-day that their minds arc
open cn the subject. included Senators
Chiffon, OF West Virginia, and sim
mons. OF North Carolina.
Necessary Qualification
~ treaty Is the supreme law or the
land. said Senator Chiffon. and our
platform declaration for exemption
from tolls Of American ships engaged
In coastwisc trade, probably ought to
be read with this qualification. neces-
sarily implied: IF the Congress can do
so consistently with the supreme law
of the land with national honor
The Intcroceanic Canal Commit
tee OF the Senate considered this mat
ter very carefully. and decided to
exempt those American vessels not
belonging to transcontinental rail
roads. The law was, in n way. a com
promise OF the conflicting views then
being urged upon tho committee
There Is no room for even the sus-
picion that the President has any mo-
tive other than a true construction of
the treaty and the best interests Of
the country; His Judgment has been
stop. look and listen.' | confess. chal-
lenges my deepest interest, and oblit-
crates any pride of opinion. j do know
that he wants to do right, and that he
works incessantly at the risk of his
man IS SO wise to except himself
from taking the second and even a
third look when Mr.. Wilson. after in
vestigation. suspects or asserts error
In the situation. More especially is
affecting our foreign relations Mt
this particular time.
Mind Is Open.
I'm voting for the present law, act
cd as / thought right from the infor-
nation and lights then at my command
/ will not reverse myself unless con
vinced that i was mistaken: but if so
convinced. / should not hesitate to do
what many of the greatest men of this
country have done. that Is, change my
position and vote accordingly. 1 have
talked with the President The intcr-
l wanted to consult him and felt the
need OF his information and Judgment
on this very subject. He never even
suggested that l change my former
opinion, and did not discuss the qucs-
tion as an advocate"
Senator Simmons, though an earnest
and inslstent advocate OF toll ex-
emptfon for American ships when the
canal act was passed declared him
SELF open to argument on the propo-
sal to reverse the policy.
The fact that the platform of the
party indorsed toll exemption" said
Senator Simmons. Should not deter US
from changing our action if the party
and Congress have made a mistake"
Conference at White House.
Washington. February 20.--Having
deliberatcd for several weeks on the
antitrust legislative program as sup-
gested by President Wilson, members
OF the Senate Ip.,arstate Commerce Com
Inittee to-day alc ready TO consult the
President with regard to proposed
amendments To tentative bills, ana a
conference has been arranged at the
White House for Tomorrow
Republican Senator'S on the commit
tee who have suggested amendments to
the interstate trade commission bill
and the measures to supplement the
Sherman act have been urged to join
with the Democrats in this conferences
Ii is the purpose of the administration
leaders to keep the trust question out
of party caucus If possible and to
this end the Republicans continually
are being urged to participate In the
framing of the bills in committee
Want Further Suggestlons.
Aside from communicating their
own ideas TO the President as to ten
tative bills. the members of the COM
mittee desire also to get further suE-
gestions from the chief executive Some
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