The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-03-28
UNDERWOOD'S ATTACK
ON WILSON'S POLICY
He Declared That Repeal of Tolls Ex-
emption in Panama Canal Would Be
Opposed to the Platform of the
Democratic Party.

Washington, ID. G., March 28.-- Repre-
sentative Underwood of Alabama, Dem
ocratic floor leader in the House OF Rep
resentatiyes, yesterday afternoon deliv-
cred bis speech against repeating the
Panama tolls exemption, as urged by
President Wilson. The scene in which
the leader of thu House majority, who
had led the successful fights for prac-
ticaily all the administration measures,
combatted the position of the president,
attracted wide attention. MIR. Under
wood urged defeat of the Sims bill,
which follows President Wilson's recon-
mendation for the repeal of the tolls
exemption. He declared the repeal was
contrary to the platform of the Dem
ocratic party adopted at the Baltimore
convention, and that an exemption fa-
voring American coastwfse ships did not
violate the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
Not for one moment do believe we
have violated treaty. declared Mr..
Underwood. ~Our whole difficulty arises
from the un-American spirit of surren-
der that some of our own people have
exhibited toward this important ques-
ton from the very beginning.
~Can anyone tell us plainly why we
surrender and what Is TO be accom-
pIished by it, Are VIC to ;Ss-,1 merely
because the sentiment of Europe Is
against ms? When has the sentiment
of EuYope ever been with US about mat
ters of the momentf When win the
time come when we can expect 10 main
tain and preserve our rights, political
and commercial, with the acquisscent
sympathy OF European governments3"
sfr. Underwood quoted the tolls ex-
emption plank from the Baltimore plat
form, and continuing said;
There can be no contention as to the
meaning OF this language, No one can
raise the issue that the bill now pend.
ing before the House introduced by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Sims)
Is not In direct conflict with the dsciara-
tion OF the Democratic platform. Per-
sonally, / believe that the party pledge
should be lived up to In good faith by
those who claim allegiance TO party prin-
ciples, but as there are many here who
differ with me In reference TO the bind.
ing effect Of a party platform | win
not at this time endeavor 10 discuss the
pending bill from that standpoint,
"1et us resolve the issue into tho
question as to whether the platform of
the Democratic party favorlng exemp-
ton of tolls of American ships engaged
in eoastwise trade passing through the
Panama canal is best for the nation and
the people of our country, or whether
the gentleman from Tennessee in the
bill now pending before the House re-
pudiating the declaration Of the DEM
ocratic party, is proposing legislation
that will be most beneficial to our ma
ton and our people,
Representative Underwood quoted fig
ures to show that the cost of main
tenanee of the canal and interest on
the governments investment could be
met easily without charging American
vessels tolls and by charging foreign
vessels "a fair and reasonable toll. He
compared the tolls charged by the Brit.
ish at the Suez canal with the proposed
Panama tolls
"The purpose Of Congress" said he,
ain providing in the act for the open
ing, maintenance, protection and opera
ton of the canal, that no tolls shall
be levied upon vessels engaged in the
coastwise trade of the United States,
and providing further that it should be
left discretionary with the president of
the United States to exempt from tolls
our ships engaged in foreign trade, was
an effort on the part tof Congress to