The Washington times., 1914-02-08
TOLLS DEBATE MAY
BARE PARTY TANGLE
Revelations Of Inner Workings
at Baltimore Convention
Likely to Be Made.

A Democratic row Of far-reaching con-
sequence is likely to be stirred on tns
floor Of House and Senate over the ef-
fort to repeal the tolls exemption clause
OF the Panama canal act. despite the
fact the Baltimore platform speciscaI
ibdorses tolls exemptions.
Already, charges OF bad faith and o.
secret political deals are being banded
about II these crop out in debate. ~
is likely. Democratic harmony will be
rudelv tarred.
secretary Bryan promises TO be drawn
into the controversy. Henry watterson
has charged that the free tolls pro-
vision was Joker inserted by Lewa
Nixon. Secretary Bryan has not made
a statement. but his friends intimate
| that he was deceived. thought he viz
chairman Of the resolutions commit
! tee.
free tolls provision repealed. despite the
plank in the Baltimore platform
Revelations Likely.
In this situation there are fntim2-
tons that when the controversy gslJ
to the floor of the Senate there win -
some STARTLING revelations Of the inside
orkings Of the political wheels at the
Baltimore convention These revelations
win have to do with plans said to have
been afcot to make Bryan, and not
J Wilson the nominee.
It is declared there win be told a
story of negotiations between Bryan'5
friends and some Of the Democratic re-
dictionaries whom he latcz denounced
that will be interesting reading. In
this connection II Is promised the real
story Of the tolls exemption plank viii
be illuminated.
It is too early to tell how far the row
win go. 1t has led to threats Of Highly
edifying political revelations which, IL
actually made, might mean q Cabinet
split.
Opponents Of tolls exemptions are now
trying to make it appear the plank was
slipped through as a '.joker,' but th,s
free tolls Senator 0Gorman. who Is
for tolls exemptions, was head OF the
subcommittee which prepared the plat
form. Others on the subcommittee were
Senators Kern. Culberson, Rayner.
Walsh, Pomerene, Martin; Alexander
NJ. Dockery. OF Missouri, Samuel W.
, Belform. Of Nevada; Congressman
Broussard of Louisiana, and George ".
Fithian, Of Illinois
Unanimously Adopted.
The convention unanimously adopted
the plank. And member Of the sub
committee on platform Is authority for
/! the statement no objection was made in
committee. and that Mr.. Bryan approved
every plank which went into the plat
form.
In the last few days it has become
clear that 1t Is the purpose Of the Demo
cratic leaders in Congress. urged BY the
President, to rush through the bill Tor
repeal of tolls exemptions. In reversal
of the Baltimore convention They will
1 defend this course. II Is said, on the
ground that the plan IN the PLATFORM
never really represented the sentiment
| of the convention.
Senator O'Gorman Is the head Of the
Canals COMMITTEES Of the Senate. and Is
going to lead in the opposition In the
/ Senate to the abandonment OF tolls ex-
/ emptions. 1t is not expected he WIN sit
| down quietly and let the charge rest
/ that the plank was a Joker. and that
/ there was any deception In getting Il
/ adopted inasmuch as he was head OF
K the platform subcommittee Of the reso-
| lutions committee at Baltimore.