The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-10
LODGE DEFENDS WILSON'S STAND
 FOR TOLL REPEAL
Veteran Republican Urges Nonpartisan Support of Bill to Repeal Exemp-
 ton of Tolls

| 1 Washinetoh. April 9.-Hearines on the Panama tolls exemption repeal bill opened today before the Senate canals committee, but interest in the repeal fight was focused on the Senate itself. where Senator Lodge. veteran republican mem Der of the foreign relations committed held the attention of virtually the entire membership and of crowded galleries for more than two hours. defending the posi- tion of President Wilson insisting upon the passage of the repeal bill
 The senator spoke without a single in- terrupton. He declared that in his opinion the right of the United States to exempt any of it's shipping from tolls was un- questioned under strict interpretation of the treaty; but because of the delicate po- sition in which the country finds itself in its foreign relations, urged nonpar- tlsan support of the President. At the conclusion of Senator Lodges address the galleries broke into applause, and the vice presidents gavel pounded several minutes before order was restored and the warning given that Senate rules pro- hibited any display of approval or disap- proval from the gallery.
 Senator Lodge was given the strictest attention by his colleagues on both sides of the chamber. and without respect to their announced views on the repeal struggle.
 Political Warfare
 'To thwart the purposes or to discredit the policies of the head of a political party he declared, ifs legitimate po- litical warfare. To discredit or break down the President of the United States upon question of foreign policy is quite another thing, not to be undertaken ex- cept for the very gravest reason. In one case we overthrow a party leader within that arena where the American people alone sit in Judgment. in the other we break down and discredit the represen- tative of the whole country in the great forum of the nations of the earth and paralyze his future power and usefulness in that field where he alone can declare and represent the policy the honor and the dignity of the United States"
 Before the canals committee, Senators Norris and Thomas appeared to discuss their propositions, the session marking the beginning of the 15-day public discus sion, decided upon earlier In the week. It was doubtful tonight just what the programme of the hearings would be for the next few days. Representatives of the commercial organizations in Pacific coast cities and New Orleans, at whose request the hearings were ordered, have not arrived, and several senators who have submitted substitutes for the Sims repeal bill which passed the House inti- mated today. they had no desire to defend their proposals before the committee. Con- seQuently a delay to await the arrival of commercial representatives appeared probable.
 Outlines Plan
 Senator Norris urged upon the commit tee his suggestion that while the exemp- ton clause be repealed, the right of the United States to make such exemptions be asserted in the repeal measure. and the President empowered to arrange for arbitration of the dispute on this point
 Senator Thomas outlined his plan to throw open the canal to the free pass age of all commerce. He elaborated this later in the day in the Senate. going into detailed statement of his view of the economic situation that would jus tify his proposal
 Debate on the repeal fight, which has occupied the Senate virtually the entire week. although senators have not been speaking directly to any bill. promises to continue at intervals at least until the committee reports it's findings. Half a rr-nn xemmea nm m.~e Eleveul