The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-03-28
OWENS DEFENDS
 WILSON POLICY
 ON CANAL TOLLS
Tells Of Proposed Treaty Amendment Which Sem
 ate Voted Against.

- washin gtof, March 27-While the opposing factions in the House were lining up today for the opening of the light over the administration bill to repeal the tolls exemption clause of the Panama Canal act Senator Owen addressed the Senate supporting Pres ldent Wilson's attitude in urging the repeal. He took the position that the exemption was in violation of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
 When the first draft of the Hay Pauncefote treaty was submitted to si4e Senate. Mir Bard of California moved to substitute the following srtfcle,'' said the Senator: .ss'The Uni ted States reserves tho right in the regulation and management of the canal to discriminate in respect of the Charges of traffic in favor of vessels of it's own citizens engaged in the coastwise tracfes''
 TURNED DOWN IN SENATE.
 And the Senate not only did not give a two-thirds vote in favor of such discrimination but gave almost a two thirds vote against it. So the whole world knew that the Senate had re- fused to amend the treaty by recog- nizing the right to discricinate in fav- pr of vessels of it's own citizens en- gzging in coastwise trade.
 .sEvitt such 9 record before us. we rorI<l not face the world and inter r,ret the Hay-Pauncefote treaty as per hitting discrimination. We refused to put in provision recognizing dis elimination on December r, 1900; we had recognized the doctrine In the clayton-Bulwer convention of $50 for. 50 years for equal terms to the citi- zens of all nations; we recognized it again in the Hay-Pauncefote treaty in 1901. confirmed by 72 Senators to six and we refused to strike out of the Hay-Pa uncefote treaty the neutraliza- ton agreed upon in 1850.
 .eThe argument that the Panama Canal is a coastwise canal for coast wise vessels is a strained construction. It is more than 1, 300 mile from Gall weston to Panama. and still farther from Panama to Los Angeles.
 sUEz AN EXAMPLE.
 .sGreat Britain could owning India. and the British Isles, with about as much propriety claim exemption for her coastwise vessels going through the Suez Canal
 Ninety millions of our people have taxed themselves to build the canal and now less than 5000 ship owners are demanding to use it without pay ing for the. cost of keeping in order or interest on the prime coast
 There is no common sense or Jus tfce in the proposal that one Aneri- can should have the right to tax 10.- GOO other Americans for his private benefit. I understand perfectly well how a group of rich men owning monopoly in coastwise shipping can stir up various organizations and patriotic Irish societies, around sea- ports.
 sTt is the case Of the three tai1ors of Tooley street who resolved: We.s the people of England, and so forth.
 DEMANDED BY HONOR.
 ssThe public sentiment of the Uni. ted States is based on common sense. honor, wisdom. patriotism and on esr abolished facts and cannot be stamped ed by selfish propaganda nor by the expenditure of large amounts in ad-6 vertising or inspired editorials Neith- CT can the United States Senate nor the House of Representatives be staTn- peded by cajo1ery or abuse
 Senator Owen referred to the Sen. ate roll calls to emphasize President wilson's contention that the legisla- ton was passed not by a Democratic majority but by coalition of Demo crats and Republicans