The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1914-03-20
PLEA To
Be HEEDED, LIKELY
REPEAL OF CANAL TOLLS is
FREELY PREDICTED BY
LEADERS.
DECISIVE VICTORY WANTED
Bill Of Senator Owen in Senate Puts
Question Before lnteroceanic
Committee-TWo Are
to Switch.
DECISIVE VICTORY WANTED

Washington, March lG. - Admins
tration leaders in the senate and
house set themselves for a quick and
decisive fight owe the proposed re-
peal of the toll exemption clause of
the Panama canal act, confident that
President Wilson's plea for reversal
OF policy would be needed.
Repeal Bill in Senate.
In the senate, after informal on
f~erences of Democratic leaders and a
talk with President Wilson, Senator
Owen of Oklahoma introduced u re-
peal bill similar to the Sims bill pend
ing in the house in order to have the
issue placed Immediately and square
ly before the committee on inter
oceanic canals.
1t also was determined to hasten
consideration of the measure by this
committee in order that it may be
ready for action in the senate as soon
as it is disposed of in the house. Rep
reSentativc AdamSon. chairman OF
the house committee on Interstate
Commerce. who is leading the fight
for the presidents plea in the lower
body, conferred with senators during
the day, giving assurances that the
repeal bill would be passed by a conf
Portable margin.
Senate leaders were actuated to be
sin vigorous action before the house
completes its work on the matter be
cause of a realization that while Ill
innate passage Of the repeal is as
sured, there will be a hard fight on
the committee on interOceanic canals
which has jurisdiction over the bill.
Senator Owen, a majority member
Of that committee, took the initia-
tive, Senator O'Gorman, the chair
man. and some other Democratic
members being opposed to the repeal.
Senator O'GOrman, who now is out
Of the city. will return on Monday to
find al insistent demand for taking
up the Owen bill and also the com
promise bill submitted by Senator
Chiffon, another member of the com
mittee, which would empower the
president to assess tolls against the
american CO3ECN Use vessels.
Promise Support of President.
Among the Democrats on the com
mittee that voted Tor toll exemption
who have assured the president that
they would support the repeal are Sen
ator Thornton. the ranking member,
and Senator Simmons. Of North Caro-
lima. Senator Chiffon also is counted
upon by the administration leaders TO
vote for a fiat repeal measure, since
the president has declared that there
must be no compromise in settling The
issue.
fought for toll exemption, has declared
himself open to conviction, but as yet
has made no announcement of any
intention to change his views.
Republican members Of the commit
tee also are divided. In any event the
action of the committee on the Owen
bill is expected to be close. Should the
majority report the bill u~nfavOrably.
Senator Owen and other OF the mi
nOrity will submit a minority report
upon which the senate will be asked
to act.
Must be Settled Soon.
y matter what action the cOnl-
mittee may take" said Senator Owen.
this is IA matter that must be set
tied and there is no reason for delay.
The house has determined upon a pro-
gram and should there be any delay
there we should be ready to proceed
in the senate"
Much discussion prevailed in the
senate yesterday as to the outcome
OF the issue, it being generally con-
coded that the repeal bin would pass.
Claims that it woiAl be adopted by
a majority Of about j0 we're not ac-
copied, however, by the conservative
leaders, who predicted that the major
ity in favor of the repeal would not
pypppl ton