The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-04-17
PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS SEEN IN
FIGHT ON CANAL TOLLS Elk
EMpTIoN REPEAL.
WORKING NOW ON SENATORS
Administration Supposed FriendiI-
ness TO Great Britain Aro0ses Pre-.
judices-PoiIticians say Wilson
Cannot Afford 10 Lose.
By GEORGE CLINTON.

oscar w. Underwood, the leader OF nls
party In the house. stood so stanchly
opposed to the repeal OF the Panama
tolls exemption law demanded BY
President Wilson, Washington has
seen large quantities Of presidential
politics In the situation
II Of course would be ungracious to
cay that either MIR. Clark or Mr.. I'm
derwood was opposed to the repeal on
any grounds other than those which
they consider to be for the public
good Il is true that both Of these
gentlemen probably will be candidates
for the presidential nomination IN 1916,
and alao that both OF them, being good
politicians. know the delegate-secur-
lag possibilities In the big centers Of
population where opposition to repeal
and especially TO what has been called
a iruckling to Great Britain" Ii most
determined.
The center OF interest ia the repeal
matter IL shifting to the senate cham,
Der, and while debate there may not
be as bitterly personal. as has been
the case In the House OF representa-
lives. Il certainly Is to be bitter
enough to please people who like the
acrid flavor In the debate diet
Politics IN the Opposition.
SO far as presidential politics are
concerned withthis matter OF the repeal
Of the tolls exemption law. 1t can be
said that men with presidential ambi-
lions and who oppose the repeal prob
ably hope to count on support In the
future from large sections OF the coast
country which are opposed to the pres
ident Ia his position. from few
'midcountry sections, and Of course
from the large cities. The mgi-
country regions. however seem to be
largely In favor OF the repeal The
strength which one or two OF the pos
sible Democratic presidential candi.
dates have developed heretofore ON the
interior regions. however, 1t is said
may enable them TO withstand without
injury any criticisms which may come
because OF their present action tn OPP
position TO Mr. Wilson's policy In 9TH
or words. the gained strength from the
coast states and from the big cities It
IL apparently figured will Offset any de-
fections from the interior.
Resolutions adopted by scores OF or.
ganizations urging that repeal be de-.
feated are being received every day
by the United States senators with
whom now II seema that the only
chance to defeat repeal lies. Congress
for some reason or other has heard
and IL hearing more from one side of
this controversy than from the other
side. and this probably accounted for
the desire Of the opponents of repeal
10 delay consideration Of the matter In
the house. and 1t accounts, perhaps.
for their continued desire to delay 1t
IN the senate. Tine feeling seems TO
be that II enough protests come such
senators as are wagering may decide
10 desert the presidents cause.
PreIudices Have Been Roused.
While most OF the letters. resolu.
tions and kilograms which hive come
to Washington on this matter have
urged that repeal be denied. this does
not mean necessarily Of course that a
majority OF the people OF the country
are opposed to the course which the
president asked congress- to take. 1t
means only that the opponents OF re-
peal have been much more energetic
throughout the country than have It's
friends. and this probably can be &C.
counted for by reason OF the fact
Tor II Is q known fact--that certain
elements In the community have been
more bitter about this thing because
OF the nature Of Its supposed friendli.
ness to Great Britain than for any
other reason that can be adduced.
The controversy has stirred preIu.
iices and when this Is done the re.
Spouse is always certain and active.
Politicians in Washington say Pres.
ident Wilson cannot afford to lose this
contest, for they hold IL will hurt the
prestige Of his administration. 1t Is
matter OF record that thus far he
has been victorious In nearly all the
things which he has set out TO do.
Washington Citizens Alarmed.
They Assert, VIII Mean the Ma
There has just been formed III Wash
mgton a committee OF business
men and influential citizens whose
duty viii be to arouse throughout
the entire United States an inter.
est in the well being OF the capital
OF the country" This committee owes
its origin to the recent attempt III
congress to change the whole system
OF taxation Of the district by making
the residents of Washington pay all
the taxes, the government to pay alb
solutely nothing for the upkeep OF the
streets. the sewers, the police and the
fire department and other necessities
Of a city government.
As thirgs are at present, the taxes
are divided half and half that is. the
residents OF Washington pay half the
amount necessary to run things ans
congress appropriates for the othel
half OF course 1t was not intended
BY congress that the city Of Wash
ineion should pay for the erection o