The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-09
This Clause Is Said to
Have Had Approval
of Bryan.
COMMITTEE HELD
SECRET SESSIONS
Apparent Disposition Not to Dis
cuss It's Work or Comment on
It's Discussions adam
son Will Lead Fight
in House for Repeal
of Provision.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch. ]

Especial TO The Times Dispatch
Washington, February s.-The free
tolls plank OF the Democratic platform,
exempting American ships from charges
In passing through the Panama Canal,
was not slippcd into the party dcclara-
tion by a ruse. This clause of tho
platform had the approval Of william
Jennings Bryan. II was learned upon
high authority tonight
The assertion of President Wilson's
friends that he proposes the abrogation
of the free tolls clause because political
chicanery was employed to have Il
drafted as q party principle. has aroused
resentment In Congress, and n hot fight
is In prospect.
SIR. Bryan discussed the free tolls
provision with william II. Wheeler, OF
California. two weeks before the Bal
timorc convention Mr.. Wheeler met
MIR. Bryan In Chicago. Mr.. Bryan was
writing from Chicago his Impressions
of the Republican National Convention.
few weeks prior to the Baltimore
convention the Democratic House Of
Representatives had passed the Pana-
ma Canal act, providing for free tolls
for American ships. This was accept
ed rs expressing the will on this sub
iect OF the American people. 1t was
written into the platform without op-
position, and was given enthusiastic
ana support.
Not Put In nv Joker.
That plank did not get into the
Baltimore platform surreptitiouslv or
as Joker, in my Judgment" says Rep
resentative Garrett. OF Tennessee 1T
was put there because the House OF
Representatives had approved of free
tolls.
Senator O'Gorman. OF New York, and
Representative Broussard. of Louisiana,
ut TS,n ,I.s.r 80 i,
| form committee, supported free tolls
and its Incorporation In the platform
was due possibly To them
Representative Broussard tonight
declined to discuss the reasons actual
ing the convention committee in sub
platform pledge.
The sessions of the committee were
secret" said Mr.. Broussard. There
seems TO be a disposition not to dis
cuss Its work or to comment on the dis
cussions attending the framing Of differ
ent planks. I have tried unsuccef'-
fully to get fellow members OF the
| committee to tell their views of the
committees intention when the plank
was drafted"
Secretary BRYAN said tonight:
I do not care to discuss now the
free tolls matter, or the plank of the
Baltimore platform"
Brynn Knew of Provision.
! Members OF the convention party
platform committee assert that Mr..
| Bryan, who was chairman of the COM
mittee, knew Of every provision OF the
| platform. and no effort was made 60
| disguise the purpose and effect OF this
! or any other plank They recall that
Mr.. Bryan supported the platform at
the convention and during the cam
paign.
| 1t was stated also that President
| Wilson. during the campaign. had de-
clared In speeches his acceptance of
the platform. and his intention to put
! into effect Its recommendations
Senator O'Gorman. chairman OF the
| Senate Canal Committee. Will lead the
| Senate opposition to repeal OF the free
| tolls provision of the Panama act.
Representatives Doremus. Michigan.
chairman Of the Democratic Congress
sional Committee, and Covington, Mary
land led the fight in the House for
passage OF the free tolls provision.
They have not changed their position
on the legislation.
! Chairman Adamson, of the House
| Interstate and Foreign Comm cree
Committee, who opposes FREQ tolls, will
| lead in the House fight for repeal of
this section OF the existing law. He
Will not bring his repeating bill into
| the House until the trust legislation
has been passed. Mr.. Adamson has
introduced bill providing two years
suspension OF free tolls.