Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-24
ASKS AS To TOLLS
ON ALL WATERWAYS
Chamberlain Resolution Is a
Move in Fight Against Ex-
emption Repeal.

Basis for an important phase of the
proposal for repeal of the tolls exemp-
ton provision of the Panama canal act
was placed before the Senate today
when Senator Chamberlain of Oregon in
troduced a resolution which would pave
the way toward repeal of section of the
rivers and harbors act of July 5, 1884
providing that no tolls or operating
charges be charged on any vessels
through any canal or other work for
the Improvement of navigation belonging
to the United States"
After setting forth in detail the pur-
poses sought by the government in the
act of 1881, the Chamberlain resolution,
which calls upon the Secretary of War
for information relating to the mainte
nance Of rivers and canals, declares:
A Reversal Of Policy.
Whereas. III the free-tolls clause Of
the Panama canal act is to be repealed
and tolls are to be levied upon vessels
engaged in the coastwise trade Of the
United States, the policy Of the govern
ment Is to be completely reversed, and
the act of July 5, 1884, ought to be re-
pealed and tolls charged upon all the
improved waterways and canals of the
country so that there might be uniform
system for the use of these utilities:
Therefore. in anticipation of possible
repeal of the free-tolls clause of the
Panama canal act and of reversal of
thte time-honored policy of the United
States with reference to river and harbor
Improvement and canal construction and
operation of these government utilities
free of charge to all commerce, and in
order to ascertain the facts in reference
to these improvements, be it resolved:
Call for Information.
That the Secretary Of War be, and he
is hereby. requested to furnish to the
Senate of the United States the following
information: First. the amount expended
by the United States in river and harbor
Improvement since the adoption of the
Constitution; second. the amounts expend-
ed by the United States In the con-
struction of canals covering the same
period Of time; third, the amounts that
the several states have raised to be used
in cooperation with the United States:
fourth. the names of the rivers which
have been improved and the amounts that
have been expended on each, the harbors
that have been improved and the amounts
that have been expended on each, the
canals that have been constructed and
improved and the amounts expended on
each; fifth, the total commerce In tonnage
and in value that passes through
said rivers and harbors and canals;
sixth, what charges are made for
tolls on any thereof. and what
amount of tolls would it be necessary
to charge on each for the purpose of
reimbursing the government for the eX-
penditures heretofore made and for the
maintenance and upkeep thereof.
Question of Discrimination.
Seventh, what classes of vessels,
whether domestic or foreign, are per-
mitted to pass through or into each of
these rivers and harbors and canals.
and what discrimination, IL any, is
made in favor of domestic shipping:
eighth, what amount might be realized
by the United States if a reasonable
toll were charged on all shipping pass
ing through said rivers and harbors
and canals: ninth. what, If any, treaties
in haf ho -pit