The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-04-03
TOLLS FIGHT NOW
SHIFTS TO SENATE
HOUSE PASSES EXEMPTION RE-
PEAL CLAUSE BY VOTE OF
247 TO 1871.
CLARK'S DEFEAT TRIUMPHANT
Speech of Speaker Wildly Applauded,
But Friends of President Win by
Majority of 86-Senate Vic
tory Predicted.

Washington, April 2. Speaker
Clark got the applause. President
Wilson's measure got the votes.
The Story in Brief.
That in brief is the story of the final
battle in the house on the Sims bill,
repeating the exemption of American
coastwise vessels from the payment Of
Panama canal tolls.
The vote on the bill was 247 ayes
to 161 noes, majority of Sc, and the
measure has now gone to the senate,
where, although the fight will be long
er and if possible fiercer than in the
house, another victory for the presi-
dent is expected
Fight Will be Stubborn.
Even those who oppose the bill now
appear to believe that it will pass the
senate. The fight will be stubborn,
and the opposition leaders are count
ing on a policy of delay, believing that
the people will join them in the fight
against the repeal if they can keep the
question long enough before the pub
lie.
The verdict on the issue which has
absorbed congress for many weeks,
came at the close of a stirring day,
made memorable in the annals of the
house by party division which found
Speaker Champ Clark, Majority Lead
er Underwood and other Democratic
chieftains, lined up in open opposition
to the president on an issue which the
latter had declared vital to his con-
duct of the nations foreign policy
rs Republicans Aid.
On the final vote 220 Democrats in
the house stood by the president, Civ.
ing him in 'ungrudging measure"
what he had asked for the honor of
the nation" in it's foreign relations.
Twenty-Five Republicans and two Pro-
gressives also voted to sustain the
president. Fifty-two Democrats fol.
lowed Speaker Clark and Leader I'm.
derwood to defeat in their steadfast
determination that the president
was wrong in his decision that toll
exemption fcr American ships is a
violation of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
with Great Britain
Nothing, it seemed, could stem the
tide of administration success. Speak.
er Clark, for nearly 90 years a mem.
Der of the house, made the speech of
his life to forestall what he termed
degradation" of the nation. In this
ne failed, but he did smooth over the
party breach, with kindly words for
his adversaries, praises for President
Wilson and an unqualified denial of
any vaulting ambition on his own be-
haf
Triumphant in Defeat.
When he had closed the debate for
the opposition to the repeal with an
impassioned argument in which he oft
en- departed from his prepared speech,
the speaker was triumphant in defeat,
for the entire legislative assemblage,
in which were many senators, rose to
cheer him.
In the senate the bill goes to the
committee on interoceanic canals. of
which Senator O'Gorman of New York,
a. vigorous opponent of the measure,
is chairman. Senator O'Gorman has
said he would call meeting of the
committee at once to consider the
bill.
That there will be fight in that
committee is certain. How long it will
be there cannot be predicted, but adj
ministration senators propose a vote
shall be taken by the committee with
in reasonable time. Senator Owen
is leading the fight for the president
there