Evening star., 1914-04-24
ROOT DEFENDS RIGHT
TO OPINION ON TOLLS
Also Champions Stand of Carnegie
Peace Foundation on
Same Subject. i,

In vehement manner and eloquent
language Senator Root of New York
today defended on the floor OF the SEN
ate his right to speak to the American
people. and the right of the Carnegie
Peace Foundation to speak on the mat
ter Of the repeal of the Panama canal
tolls exemption for American coastwise
vessels Senator Roots address was
called forth by the reading into the
record at the request Of Senator Poin-
dexter Of Washington. a letter from a
New York committee opposed to the re-
peal bill. In this letter Senator Root's 9
motives and those Of the Carnegie
Peace Foundation were impugned. It
charged that Senator Root was in
fuenced by the railroads and stood az
leader of monopoly.
Il do not know how the railrads of
the country feel regarding the Panama
canal tolls" said Senator Root, but /
do know that l have never received any
communication from any railroad in re-
gard to this matter. 1 believed that the
course Of conduct upon which this coun-
try had embarked would dishonor the
United States: I care nothing about the
interests involved. The one great uues.
ton to my mind is the absolute good
faith and honor Of our country. For
year on the tolls question. have no
wish that this question be settled unless
1t is settled right.
II honor the President because of his
honesty of purpose in this matter"
Defends Peace Foundation.
Turning to the charge made against
Root is trustee. he named over other
members of the board. including Presi-
dent Emeritus Eliat of Harvard, Joseph
n
Sharp Williams and other men Of equal
distinction.
Have we come to such a pass" said
Senator Root. "of restriction of Ameri-
can freedom. that men OF this char
acter are to be criticised because they
opinions and spread them broadcast?
These men believe the honor Of their
country Is involved In this controversy
II spoke here according to the con-
victions Of lifetime. I wish that the
words which I said might have been
stronger. and that I might place them
before the eyes Of every American.
The senator from Washington by no
devious or side approach can drive me
from the path of duty as I see It"
The reading OF the letter into the record
was strongly criticised by other members
of the Senate. both democrats and re-
publicans. Senator Poindexter replied
that he had no intention to reflect upon
|
tribute for his services in the past, but
he insisted that he had right to criti-
else the course adopted by Mr.. Root and
by the Carnegie Peace Foundation. He
charged that Andrew Carnegie was more
q citizen of Great Britain than OF the
United States.
More Time for Hearings.
Because Of the Interference Of the
Mexican situation with the hearings on
tolls by the Senate interoceanic canals
committee, that committee has decided
tentatively to extend the period granted
for hearings, II the presence of wit
nesses justifies such a course. The time
for hearing testimony originally agreed
|upon would expire today. Witnesses from
the Pacific coast and Hawaii have been
here ali week, unsuccessfully waiting to
be heard. The committee has given them
assurances that they will have an oppor-
tunity to testify even II the hearings
must be extended.
Al the hearing yesterday afternoon
former Representative Bourke Cochran
Of New York addressed the committee
in opposition to the repeal bill, as did
Theodore Sutro of New York.
Mr. Cochran contended that the sover-
eionty Of the United States had attached
TO the Panama Canal Zone. and conse-
ouentIy there could be no conditions at
tached to this nations use Of the canal