The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-04
WASHINGTON E IN GREAT EXCITEMENT OVER TOLLS REPEAL But Many Think County Is More or Less Indifferent
 to Outcome REPUBLICANS FOR
 REPEAL IN SENATE Public Sentiment Will Undoubtedly Have Something to do With the
 Final Result in the
 Senate
By c. E. STEWART.

ltdl NaSIlnStOni ana the representatives, of the press of the country in this city are in a frenzy of excitement over the canal tolls repeal measure. All kinds of speculations are indulged in as to what the fate of the bill will be in the Sen ate. T wonder" said a senator today If the rest of the country is worrying about this proposition as We are worrying about it here?" 'I am inclined to be- lieve" he said, that the country is large ly indifferent and is at least calm
 The truth is that it is impossible to forecast what will be done in the Senate The situation in the Senate is different from the situation that existed in the House In the Senate the Presidents leading supporters are republicans: in the House they were democrats. One-half of the membership of the Senate is non committal, in spite of the fact that the administration confidently states that there is an absolute clear majority of l6 for repeal, eliminating all doubtful votes. The representatives of the big newspapers of the country have tried in vain to take a poll of the Senate
 Action Will Be Slow
 The bill itself has been referred to the interoceanic canals committee of the Senate, of which Senator O'Gorman of New York is chairman. On that com mittee there is a clear majority against the measure, and the Presidents bill has fallen into unfriendly hands On the com mittee Is Senator owen of Oklahoma, however, a staunch supporter of repeal, ho declares int of d iIe immediate action. The bill may be re- ported in a week: it may be three weeks. The obsolete rules of the Senate to bor- row an expression of Senator owens, may be used to delay consideration of the measure.
 1t is hinted here that an attempt will be made to gain votes for the bill in the Senate and make it's passage certain by amending it. It is suggested that the bill will be so amended as to make it clear to the world that the United States does not relinquish it's claim to control the question of tolls and it's right at all times to maintain it's army and navy in the canal zone It is believed that number of democrats would gladly support such an amendment, even though they are now in favor of the repeal bill. The right to offer amendments. as in the case of de- bate, is unlimited in the Senate, and cannot be shut off by cloture rule.
 It is admitted by both sides that public sentiment is going to also have some in- fiuence in the Senate in finally deter mining the fate of the bill Many believe that public sentiment has not yet crys- talized upon the question, and until it does, the result. will be impossible to forecast. It is pointed out that the coun- try, up to a few days ago. had heard but one side of the issue, and the only publication of any real merit upon the subject was the speech of Senator Root of New York which had been published and commented upon by the magazines. It is hoped by the opposers of repeal that this public sentiment when maturely formed will be with them, and that it will make itself felt in the Senate.
 On the other hand, there are many who believe that public sentiment will stay with the President. or that the public is as matter of fact indifferent to what is done.
 May Be Unduly Excited
 The belief is spreading that Washing ton has got itself all taheled up and agi- tated over matter that the rest of the country looks upon aeinsignificant Wash ington does these things frequently and often creates tempest in a teapot and failing to attract the attention of the people, promptly turn to something else
 The republicans are doing their utmost to line up their senators in the upper body against repeal. They are excitedly pointing out that the democrats have fur nished starving party" with a real honest-to- goodness issue. and to not take advantage of it would be a crime. The real leaders, barring Senator Borah, of the republicans in the Senate. however, Lodge, Root, Burton and McCumber- stand with the President. and the chief executive is in the paradoxical situation of receiving the major part of his support in the Senate from the opposite party while he got the major part of his sup port in the House from his own party
 This situation robs the issue of its par tisanship. It destroys the hope of the republicans of d split in the democratic party-they are as hopelessly split upon this single issue as are the democrats and they are split upon other issues. In the House there is no evidence that there was ever disagreement among the demo- crats. The party stands solidly on the trust legislation. rural credits and appro- priations. The leaders of the democratic party scoff at the suggestion that the party will lose control of the House of Representatives over the canal tolls is- sue.