The Washington herald., 1914-02-19
Fight ON TOLLS
Will BE BITTER
President May Meet with
Strong Opposition in His
Own Party.
TALKS WITH UNDERWOOD
Latter Still Against Repeal OF Free
Provision-Bristow Calls MIR.
Wilson inconsistent.

The issue raised by President wilson
determination to have the free tolls pro-
vision in the Panama Canal act repealed
RAPIDLY is assuming foremost place IN
Congress. There arc evidences that the
President will meet with strong opposi,
ton within his own party. That ne VIII
he subjected to personal attack also ~as
made clear Yesterday, when Senator BITS
,ou- 6red tho opcninE gun for the Re-
nubIicans who arc opposed to repeal OF
This proyision. Senator Bristow attacked
the President sharply on the ground OF
inconsistency.
The President yesterday was in confer
ence with Representative Underwood
irving 10 win him over to the admlnistra-
tion's view on this subject MI onoer-
wood, however, left the White House
still opposed to a repeal of the free tolls
Drovision. and the President will have 10
reckon with his opposition in the House.
unless some compromise is reached.
II WAS learned last night that several
compromises have been suggested as
means OF reconciIing the differences be-
tween the President and Mr.. Underwood
and other leaders in Congress One OF
these suggestions contemplate the extern
sion of the free tolls exemption to coast
wise vessels of all nations. This would
ihe canal free of tolls, just as the Ameri-
can coastwise vessels are entitled to go.
Another compromise suggested is TO
exempt all vessels from payment of tolls
that touch at an American port.
Draws the ..ParaIIel.o
Senator ErissCw in his speech in the
Senate drew the parallel on President
Wilson. The Senator quoted from the
speech made by the President to suffra-
Eists who called on him some time ago,
in which the President said:
Il have to confine myself TO those
things which have been embodied as
promises to the people at an election.
Referring 10 the fact that he was the
spokesman OF a party" the President
then said:
Il am not AT liberty to urge upon Con-
Eress in messages policies which have not
had the organic consideration of those
for whom ! am spokesman
Turning from this speech to the suf-
q. fragists Senator BristOw referred to the
Presidents attitude toward the Panama
Canal tolls, as IL had been expressed IN
the Baltimore platform.
..Rut in the evolution OF human affairs
another question came before the Chief
Executive for his consideration" said the
Senator This subject was not brought
before him by the good women OF the
country, but by representative of the
English government, whose action had
neen instigated by the American and
Canadian transContinental railroads and
British shipping interests.
Advantage to Railroads.
The question was in regard to the
payment of tolls BY ships passing through
the Panama Canal, engaged in the coast
wise trade of the United States.
Upon this subject the Democratic plat
form contains the following declara-
ton:
We favor the exemption from toll of
American ships engaged in coastwise
trade passing through the canal
Upon that platform Mr.. Wilson stood
md was elected. He received most oi
the votes from those sections OF the
country vitality interested in the toll
question The wisdom of such polc'
never was questioned during the cam
paign The Democratic House and d
large majority Of the Democrats in tn,
Senate voted in harmony with the dec
Iaration and the statement of Mr.. Wilsor
to the ladies as to its binding ehect upoI
him In a communication addressed pA
H.. President to Mr.. Marhury. of Balu
more, dated February ), 1914, We hnd tins
following. -,
There is. Of course much honest dlf
erence Of opinion. but il is at least de
batable. and if the promises We maxi
in such matters are dcbatable l. Tor one
do not care TO debate them l think I'M
country would prefer to let no question
arise as 10 its whole-hearted purpos
10 redeem its promises in the light o
anv reasonable construction of them
rather than debate a point Of honor
Platform Not So Potent.
50 it appears in matters in which TIT
Canadian and American transcontlnenta
g. railroads and the English gOvernmen