Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-04-14
OPEN LETTER TO
SEN. J.HAM. M.LEWIS
Joseph Jacob Compliments
Illinois Senator on His Stand
on The Canal Tolls
SEES DANGER AHEAD
Republican Colonial Policy
Has Placed Us in the
Concert of Nations
Aberdeen, Wash, April s. 1914.

Aberdeen, Wash, April s. 1914
Hon. James Hamilton Lewis, Wash,
ington, d. c.
My dear Senator:
l am much pleased to see you ad-
vocating the repeal of the free tolls
measure.
You did not ask me to write you
on any matter, but write about this
because | consider it of transcendent
Importance. | believe very deeply,
sincerely that the retention of the
free tolls measure would be the great
est disaster that has occurred in our
lifetime--the greatest since the Civil
War.
Not so important, but still worthy
OF consideration, is the fact that the
Democratic party's responsibility for
the retention of tolls will mean that
the party is consistent and obeys the
popular will that refuses to any long
er act as wet nurse for infant indus
transportation field.
am interested in the welfare OF
our country and therefore am writ
ing you. 1t is right and proper that
you speak of dangers from Mexico
and Russia and Japan which threaten
this country This country, however
nnUarfnl ho H., )
we have acquired vulnerable points
since we went into the colonial and
canal building business. We are no
longer in an unassailable position as
Of yore. 1t would be silly and foolish
to ignore these facts.
II present-day England is neither
aggressive nor unscrupulous in it's
dealings with the other great Euro
pean powers, why should England re-
verse its policy when dealing with
this country? In truth. England has
been great factor in maintaining
the peace Of Europe for the past
twenty-five years. England, perhaps
more than any other agency, helped
TO avoid the clash between France
and Germany in the Moroccan affair
Had she been as bloodthirsty as is
claimed by Anglophobists, she would
have allowed these two world-powers
to 90 at each Other
Just because this country is great
and powerful, 1t should not act the
part OF a bully. 1t is not the part of
cowardice to act on the square-a
nations word must be as good as its
note. 1t is not showing the "White
Feather when nation refuses to
bite off it's own nose to spite Eng.
land.
There is no reason why our ships
should pass free through the canal, as
long as it takes money to operate the
Locks and keep the canal in order
Why should all the people pay when
ships are we'll able to pay without
assistance from anybody?
The opening Of the canal will al
low the average freighter to pay for
itself in six round trips. Ships will
pay big dividends and need no char
ity from the government.
would urge you to keep to the
American position. ! know you to
be a man Of thorough principle, of
courage and spirit, free and indepen-
dent Westerner Your attitude is in
harmony with the spirit of your great
namesake, who blazed the way across
the continent. Stand Loyalty by the
true American position as indicated
by the great man who now occupies
the presidential chair and in whose
personality all that is noble and
glorious in American history is so
magniicently reflected. He is the
remarkable man that put America in
the front rank of the great world
powers and made it the greatest
agency for good in this wide world,
treating the weak and strong alike
with fairness and justice, as becomes
a nation conscious OF its strength and
influence.
am not writing because ! have a
grudge against President Wilson.
havn't tried to knock him when he
refused to become my rubber-stamp.
] believe the President is honest. sin
cere. competent and well qualified for
Inc high Office he now occupies.
The only regret | have is the fact
that l have no string of newspapers
to give publicity to your stand on the
tolls question. I cannot promise you
any publicity in the present or in the
future, as William Randolph Hearst
promises it 70 you in his letter to
you on this matter. While he does
not say 80 outright, anyone reading
Continued to paae eight.