Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-06-04

repeal the act of preceding republican Congress grant
ing free tolls to American shipping engaged in our own coast
wise trade The great majority of the people of Vermont
unquesonably anxious that Vermonts United States
senators shall take similar position when the upper branch
of Congress to vote upon this important and far
reaching measure.
It is to be borne in mind in this connection that the
pending be considered from two distinct points
of view: First to the effect which repeal the alleged
ground that free tolls for American coastwse shipping
violation of the Pauncefoe treaty will have fu
ture control of that waterway.
Second the effects of the considered from
economic point of view regards the development OF this
nations long neglected merchant marine
Two noteworthy developments in connection with this
measure indicating swing away from the administration
policy have occurred in the United States Senate One
the speech OF Senator Lane of Oregon, leading demo-
crat whose position the tolls question: like that of the
Vermont senators, has been in doubt but who has
pudated the policy Of the Wilson administration coming out
strongly in opposition to repeal.
Still greater significance, speaking from the New Eng
land standpoint is to be attached to the powerful speech of
United States Senator Weeks of Massachusetts, who
time claimed safe advocate OF repeal but who
has placed himself in opposition to Senator Lodge well
President Wilson this great American ISSUE and for alb
soute American sovereignty the Panama canal
Now that the Wilson administration has practically
abandoned untenabe the ground urged in the Presidents
message to Congress in favor of the BILL namely that it
plain violation of the Hay Pauncefote treaty there real
y for any republican United States senator
pudatng the work of republican administration and
republican Congress in the Panama act well the dec
araon of the party platforms in favor of the
ment of the development of merchant marine
The United States government wisely made enormous
grants to the transcontnenal railroads for the of
helping to develop vast western territory and there is
just why the government should not adopt
similar policy for the development of merchant marine
in competition with the shipping of the whole world especial
ly when is proposed only to directly aid coastwse ship
ping that is ships carrying freight from American port
to another.
Senator Lane said he had come to the conclusion that
the terms of the Pauncefote treaty obscure and
subject to different interpretations that ought to
be abrogated at for that for other He
had listened to speeches both Sides and treaty
capable of being twisted and turned this treaty has been
should be ended at
Turning to the feature of the question Sena
tor Lane cited the ndspuabe fact that nearly all foreign
nations whose ships will the Panama canal will refund
to the under their subsidy policies whatever tolls
paid to the United States for the of this waterway while
American ships will have such relief if repeal is voted
by Congress approved by President He believes
this discrimination will result in driving off from the
what little American shipping we have left
Senator Lane said it looked to him though the nation
being put by the administration the position of spend
ing large amount of money for the benefit of other
tons principally and for the privilege of driving its
citizens out of the shipping business which all political
ties have professed to desire to aid.
Senator Weeks of Massachusetts said after long consid
Grafton he convinced that the President is in in his
conclusions and that the for Congress take is
refuse to pass the pending bill.
After saying that he attached weight to the hyster
ica talk of foreign complications from the defeat
of the BILL the senator said:
"My course in this matter has been influenced by the
economical question which has been raised by those directly
interested in coaswse shipping The policy adopt may
and quite likely will have material influence in developing
not only cOastWise shipping, but gen.
er that action should be determined not only by
the action which is best present but what will be best
the years to
This canal should benefit shippers, coast
trade and general commerce. well be bene-
iciei to the commerce Of the rest Of the world.
Looking at this whole question from the broad view
point Of international comfy, in far the stronger
position because have made all the sacrifices in the past
and going to make all the sacrifices in the future which
been will be made connection with building
and operation We not in position to make large
Of its facilities and this is entirely limited to ct
trading with citizens This does not
Great Britain other country and therefore it
to that the position taken by former partner is not
only extremely technical but is ungenerous and unwse
eff the President has tangible information justifyng
his expressed opinion he should submit to Congress-
Mr.. Weeks said this country for years had been
tnung policy with respect to hpbudng industry and