Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-03-23
WILSON WORRIED
OVER STREAM Of
TOLLS PROTESTS
Calls in BurIeson to Take
Charge of Anti-Exemption
Fight in Congress.

WASHINGTON, March 2S.-Admin-
istration. leaders are deeply concerned
over the antagonism aroused among
Irish societies against the bill propos-
ing the repeal of the tolls exemption
clause in the Panama Canal act
Senators and representatives from
practically every State are being
deluged with letters and telegrams
from Grishmen individually and in be
half of organizations with which they
are connected. protesting against this
concession to Great Britain. 1t is
this phase of the situation that is
seriously disturbing the administra-
tion leaders when they come to ana
lyze the outlook.
Members from New York particu-
larly are being urged by Irish con-
stituents to oppose the repeal bill
Nearly all the members from the
State are opposed to the administra-
ton measure, but their opposition
will be stiffened by the heated pro-
tests from Irishmen that in pressing
the measure President Wilson and his
advisers are trying to placate oGreat
Britain.
Burleson Is Called On.
The concern of the administra ton
over the situation was clearly indi-
Gated by developments yesterday. The
President called Postmaster-Gener
Burleson and Secretary Tumulty to
the White House and had long con-
ference with them on ways and means
of Tightening the lines of the admin
istration's forces and increasing their
mum bers. The President is being as
sured by House leaders that he will
have a safe margin in that body. but
he does not intend to neglect any
chance for achieving success.
Efforts have been made in the last
few days to classify the House mem
bership according to their attiutude
toward the repeal. The men who are
placed in the 'doubtful' column will
be the objects OF special attention
from the Presidents political support
ers in the next few days.
Kitchin Makes Statement.
A statement made public here yes
terday by Representative Kitchin, of
North Carolina, who is slated to sue
ceed Oscar Underwood as the Demo-
cratic House leader, ou.iiues at length
his reasons for opposing the admins
tration bill repeating the exemption
clause Mr.. Kitehin is one of a group
of Democratic leaders, among them
Mr.. Underwood, Speaker Clark and
Senator O'Gorman. who are bitterly
hostile to this particular administra-
ton measure.
While the North Carolina member
doesn't make the charge that the Ad
ministration is serving the interests of
the transcontinental railways, he de-
clares that these railways are chiefly
interested in having tolls levied on
American coastwise vessels.
Mr.. kitehin points out that the Bal
timore platform indorsed the eXemp-
ton clause and that Ii was approved
in 1912 by Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. Taft and
Mr.. Roosevelt, three Presidential
candidates. Mr.. Kitchin sums up his
argument as follows:
"The President has changed his
position. Shall l change. which many
others will do, simply because the
President has? Or shall / follow the
Democratic path, where my reason
and conscience after mature study
and deliberation leads|'
Democrats Supported It,.
Mr.. Kitchin recalled that when the
Panama Canal bill was acted upon in
the Senate the exemption clause was
adopted by a vote of Al to II.
Every single Democrat present
voted for it, twenty-four in number,
and twenty Republicans" continued
Mr.. Kitchin. "An analysis of the
eleven OppOSlIB NOlSS is lubGTeSlIlE.
Root, Penrose, Oliver Crane, Wet
more, Brandegee, Lodge etc.-names
at once suggestive of the environment
and influences of railroads, big bust
ness and special privileges-constitute
the eleven.
The President said today II looked
to him as il there had been q filibus-
ter on the rivers and harbors bill to
delay the vote on the tolls question
but smilingly remarked that minori-
ties always filibuster. He denied a
charge made on the floor of the Sen
ate that he had attempted to limit
the tolls debate in the House. lie
said that while he had no part in sug-
gesting a rule to limit debate he hoped
there would be one.
In reply to questions as to whether
he thought any improper influences
were being brought to bear against
the repeal the President declared that
he had not sought to find any and
did not suspect them. He referred to
the controversy as difference of
opinion among Democrats and pointed
out that a majority of House Demo-
Gratis really had never voted for the
tolls exemption and that the act was
passed by coalition of Republicans
with a minority of Democrats
The President believes a number of
will support him in his
position to repeal the tolls exemption.
President Wilson Invited to