The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-06
Leaders Prepare for Su-
preme Effort on Tolls
Repeal Bill.
NO ONE CAN TELL
WHEN END WILL BE
Even Most Optimistic Propo-
nents Of Measure Do Not Ex-
pect Vote Within Three
Weeks-Pending Outcome,
Other Legislative Work
Held in Allegiance.

Washington, April 5.-With tho scene
Of activity on the issue of Panama toll
exemption repeal shifted TO the SEN
ate after the triumph OF the admins
tration in the House last week, plans
remain in the formulative stage for
the final struggle in the great con-
trovcrsv.
Formal consideration of the bill to
repeal toll exemption for American
ships will be taken up on Tuesday by
the Committee on lntcroceanic Canals.
OF which Senator O'Gorman, leader OF
the Democratic opposition Is chair
man. BESIDES the House bill, upon
which President Wilson and his nd-
hcrents propose TO stand, the commit
tee will have before IL various amend
mcnts and proposed compromises. and
these will be discussed during the
week before any formal report Is made
TO the Senate.
While the committee Is at work, pre-
liminary discussion Of the tolls ques
ton Will continue in the Senate, varl-
Gus champions and opponents of the
measure having given notice of their
intention TO speak during the week.
Leaders in the fight do not expect
speeches TO change any votes, but that
there will be 4 flood of .,ratorical ef-
fort. which Will FAR exceed in length
and intensity the twenty-hour debate
on the bill in the House. is conceded.
VIII Tie Long Drawn Out.
No one in close touch with the sit
uation would predict tonight how
long the controversy in the Senate
might continue. but the most optimistic
proponents OF repeal do not look for
a vote for three weeks The repeal
bill and attendant measures will be
in committee at least a week, and gcn-
eral debate cannot begin until some
sort of 4 report is made or a motion
Is offered to discharge the committee
from further consideration OF the bill.
Senators Hokc Smith, OF Georgia.:
lanes, of Kentucky, and Owen, Of
Oklahoma. are TO lead the admlnlstra-
ton forces in the contest. From the
Republican side they Will be aided by
Senators Root. Lodge and McCumber
Democrats opposition forces will be
directed by Senator'S OCiorman, of New
ork: Chamberlain, of Oregon, and
AShurSt. OF Arizona. On the Republi-
can side, Senator Gallinger, the minor
ity leader, will direct opposition to the
repeal, and such stalwarts as Sena-
tors Penrose and oliver are planning TO
consolidate the Republican vote against
repeal in so far as that can be done.
many Progressive-R Republican Senators
VIII 1oin the opposition. but. despite
the lornidao bic array OF the antindmin-
istration forces, the President and his
supporters retain confidence that the
repeal clause Will be upheld.
Other Issues in Allegiance.
Little general Legislation is expected
IN the senate until this absorbing issue
Is decided. The House Will devote IL
SER this week to putting through the
ucIayed appropriation measures The
iegiSlatiVe. executive and judicial an
propria ton bill is pending now. Cen
erai debate VIII be started probably on
N No. t.g1t
are numerous other supply bills await
ing action. Meantime, Representative
hnoWiand. of California. is threatening
TO call up early in the week his resolu-
ton asking for the State Departments
correspondence with Great Britain re-
garding Panama tolls which he has
held up pending possible consideration
OF the subject by the Foreign Affnirs
Committee tomorrow
Conservation measures arc being
rushed through in the House Public
Lands Committee. The committee will
take up the national leasing bin on
Tuesday. with Il view to revising il
ana reporting i, to the House within n
week. so as to insure. If possible ac-
ton 'by Congress. at this session The
California oil fields problem, In which
the OIL men already located claim pre-
ferential rights by reason of their In
Nestment and development of the field.
may be taken care of In Il separate
bill. giving them some preferential
status. but including them within the
requirements OF leases and permits.
Plans for water power Legislation are
being laid by both the Public Lands
Committee and in tho Interstate Com
mercc Committees
with the interstate trade commission
bill agreed upon and to be reported
early this week to the House the In
terstate Commerce Committee is not
disposed To hurry action on the pro-
posed measure to provide Federal con-
troll OF railway capitalization. but the
hearings may he declared closed this
week and consideration of tho measure
In executive session begun. All the
railroad witnesses so far have agreed
to the principle of regulation, but dis
sent from having the Federal and State
commissions assume Jurisdiction over
railroad security issues. The antitrust
bills. which members OF the House Ju-
dietary Committee have agreed should
be consolidated. and reported as an
omnibus measure to carry out the ad-
ministration views for meeting tho
problems Of interlocking directorates.
holding companies. trade relations and
definitions OF restraints OF trade are
marking time on the House side.
Planning Its Course.
The Judiciary Committee IS working
over the question of what course to
pursue with respect to the resolution
proposing cenShrc for Representative
McDermott. of Illinois. and tho officers
OF the National Association of Manu-
facturers on account of their activities
disclosed In the lobby Investigation.
The committee expects to vote on this
matter on Tuesday, and on Friday n
decision probably will he reached as
to n report to the House on the Park
resolution, calling for Investigation of
tho official conduct OF Justice Wright,
of the District OF Columbia Supreme
Court.