The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-01

Washington. April 1.-Gratified over
the success Of Panama tolls 'exemp-
ton repeal in the house, the president
and his supporters turned their at
tention to the senate. The latest
poll, brought to the White House by
an administration senator, who can
vassed his colleagues, and who eX-
cluded from his count those he con-
sidered doubtful, indicated that Will
sons contentious would have a ma
iority Of at least sixteen, including
republicans as well as democrats.
Senator Owen, the administration
leader in the canals committee, where
the measure is now pending, was at
the White House early, comforting
with Secretary Tumulty. Asked about
the procedure in the senate and the
length Of time for discussion, the
Oklahoma senator said:
"It is natural to assume that if the
committee does not report promptly
motion will be made to discharge
the measure from consideration or
the committee. There is to be no ef-
fort at forcing unnecessarily, but we
want no dilatory tactics.
The committee stands, I should
think, against the president, and L
think that when the committee was
organized, those who were in favor
Of tolls exemption were in the ma
jority. A week in the committee
would be a reasonable time for dis
cussien."
Chairman OGorman, said he would
call the canals committee to- meet
/ Tuesday. It is apparent talrt an effort
is to be made to amend the. house
bill by clause asserting the SOW
erignty Of the United States over
the canal zone. Estimates OF the
number of democrats who will op-
pose the repeal vary from eight to
fourteen. "The repeal is not yet
won, by any means" said Senator
Chamberlain.
When the canals committee will
cast now, but the general opinion
is that the issue formally will not
come before the senate before at
least ten days.
CIark's Speech.
Yesterday Speaker Champ Clark S
stirring speech in the house, closing
the argument for the opponents Of the
canal tolls exemption repeal bill, was
one of the most dramatic features Of
this extraordinary contest. The speak
er said:
"Mr. Speaker, there is no personal
issue between the president Of the
United States and myself. There has
not been at any time. I trust there
never will be. 1 have at no time ut
tered one word Of criticism Of the
president. At no time, so far as am
informed or believe, has the president
said one single word of criticism of
me. In the nature of things, a man
who is worthy to hold high public
post in the service Of the country must
believe that other public servants are
actuated by the same high, courageous
and patriotic motives by which he be-
lieves himself to be moved.
II have never for one moment enter
tanned the opinion that President Will
son is actuated by other than the high
est patriotic motives. I do not believe
that President Wilson has ever enter
tained any other opinion as to the con-
duct of those of us who find it neces-
sary to differ with him on this matter.
President Wilson does not desire a
breach in the democratic party. I do
not desire a breach in the democratic
party, and there is no breach in the
democratic party. I would Scorn to be-
lieye that President Wilson counte-
nanced for one moment the efforts of
some Of the jackal press to represent
that we are seeking to disrupt the DEM
ocratic party. The president is too big
a. man not to desire that this great
merits, free from personalities, which
can do no good and may do much
harm. .~ys
"The president has too high an idea
Of the duties of public servant to
desire members to do other than vote
their conscientious convictions. With
most Of those who have asserted that
/ am seeking to disrupt the party the
wish is father to the thought. ..
STv1 Tho Naw York World nT TIIpg-
day, March "a, appeared a scurrilous
and slanderous article with these
headlines:
LEADERS work to split democracy
over canal tolls. AS filibusterer
against exemption repeal goes on in
the house it is said that both Speaker
Clark and Mr.. Underwood will oppose
the presidents measure
'Tnat is one of the most preposter-
Gus statements made in any newspa-
per since Gutenberg invented NOV
able types.
"You gentlemen in whose faces ]
am now looking know the democratic
leaders OF this house better than any