The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19
Supporters of Repeal to
Oppose Passage Of
Jones Resolution.
CALLS ON WILSON
FOR INFORMATION
Seeks to Learn What Foreign
Powers Have Protested Against
Exemption for American
Ships-Issue as to Com
mittec for Reference
May Force Vote.

WashinEton, March 1s.-prcliminary
skir,nish.ng OIL the Panama TOLLS con-
troversy Will occupy the Senate to-
morrow as the result OF an effort made
to-day by Senator Jones. OF washing
ton, to havc passed his resolution call
Ing upon President Wilson for infor
nation as to what foreign govern
:nents have protested against toll ex
crnpt!on for American coastwis" ships.
and for correspondence between tho
United States ana foreign powers re
iating thereto.
That supporters OF President Wilson'S
plea for repeal of tho exemption pro-
vision of the canal act VIII oppose pass
age of the resolution was indicated TO
day Senator Hokc Smith, OF Georgia,
moved that tho Jones resolution be
referred 70 the Foreign Relations Com
inittec, declaring that tho SENATE should
not hastily consider q res solution call
ing for information relating 10 foreign
affairs.
senator Bristow. Of Kansas. who is
opposed 10 repeal Of toll exemption.
urged that ;he resolution be referred
TO the Committee on lat-roce21ic Ca
malls, OF which Senator CrGorinan. OF
New York. is chairman. Opponents oc
thc repeal, OF whom senator O'Gorman
Is the leader. believe tHat the Canals
Committee would give . favorable re-
tho Committee on Foreign Relations
would pigeonhOle il.
Mny Fore" Vote To-Day.
tpon this Issue the senate may he
forced TO vote Tomorrow That such a
vote could not strictly - considered
as :: test on the repeal issue, however.
.s maintained by some OF the Senator's
because some might vote IN favor u 4
request for more information who
would not vote against repeal on the
:lUal roll call.
Senator OGorman Will return 10
Washington tomorrow from New
York. and conferences with Democratic
leaders have been scheduled for the
purpose of inducing the chairman Of
the Canals Committee TO take up the
repeal bill introduced by Senator owen
Several members OF the committee said
Tonight Senator OGorinan had in
tended TO delay consideration OF the
matter. and that he would call a meet
Ing OF the committee in advance OF
action OF the repeal OF the House.
The broad charge that President
Wilson determined TO ask Congress 70
repeal the Panama toll. exemption as
= consequences Of his recent conference
with STR Lionel Garden, British min
ister TO Mexico. ana that the Prcsi-
dents action was the elimination OF
negotiations with Great Britain ior
the preservation Of the Monroe Doc
trinc. threatened by the Mexican situa
tion, was made In the Senate to-day Dy
Senator Jones, Republican, of Wasn-
ington. He was speaking on his pend
ing resolution calling on the rrcsi
controversy.
Price of NonintcrfcrcEce.
Senator Jones intimatcd that re-
peal OF the tolls exemption was tic
price OF nonintcrfercnce III Mexico by
other foreign powers. lie further de
clarcd that "it is reported as ono Of
the conditions that Great Britain VIII
seek reparation on its losses through
Confederate bonds issued during the
Civil War by plan sanctioned by this
government under which, II applied,
tho burden OF reparation VIII fall upon
the Southern States" For these re-
ports. Senator Jones maintained, de-
velopmcnts have shown there was Il
basis.
Senator Jones quoted from President
Wilson's pre- election speeches, III an
attempt to show that tho chief cAecu-
tive then favored tolls exemption.
IIe argued that a repeal would be
"a great economic blundcr." that it
would benefit the Canadian lacinc
Railroad, Canadian interests, and the
transcontincntal railroad lines and no
others. and iniurc more or less every
other interest in this country
He contended that the exemption
COnlIaNehcu no treaty opht9'itipiio'
either In letter or IL: spirit and, there
fore, no question OF national was in
volvcd.
Senator Jones asked what excuse
could be offered for fortifying the
canal II objection were made. and on
what ground could the government
prevent warships OF an enemy passing
through the canal.
The speaker asked immediate con-
sideration and passage of the resolu-
ton. hut was blocked by Senator Smith,
of Georgia, VINO moved that it he re-
fcrred to the Foreign Relations Com
mittee.
Asking why it should not be re-
fcrred to the Committee on InteroceanIc
Canals, Senator BrstoW announced q
desire to debate the motion, and action
on the resolution was deferred until
tomorrow.