Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-27
FACING SAME coNOl.
TIoNs WHICH TENDED TO De.
FEAT OF TAFT.
REPUBLICAN, SPLIT ON
RECIPROCITY PROPOSITION
Democratic Party Divided In Same
Way over Panama Tolls and Public
Is Inclined TO csnsurs President For
Taking Initiative Without Consult
ing Leaders.
Especial Correspondence


Washington, March 27.-Taft had his
reciprocity law with its political con-
sequences. Wilson has his Panama
canal tolls question. promising results
of exceeding interest. These two legis1
lative episodes present remarkable
parallel. Taft pressed upon his party,
on his own Initiative and without con-
sultation with any of its leaders,
policy which some Of them believed
directly. contravened the tariff policy
of the republican party. He forced the
issue upon congress, calling special
session for consideration Of his reci-
procity measure, and he refused to
permit adjournment until vote had
been taken. The reciprocity bill was
passed and free trade in everything
but manufactures would now be In
force between the United States and
Canada had not the conservative party
Of the dominion. Selling upon spacious
arguments, so prejudiced the Canadian
minds that American reciprocity was
rejected. The farmers Of both coun-
tries rallied against reciprocity be-
cause they were afraid OF each other
Wilson Faces Public Censure.
Politically, 1t was immaterial that
Taft and the Canadian liberals were
right. President Taft ana Sir E'!!!r!a
Laurier, the Canadian premier, went
to the country and both were defeated.
Many persons believe that the Tart
reciprocity policy represented degree
of craftsmanship too high to be ap-
preciated at present. However that
may be, President Taft few In the face
OF economic opinion among American
farmers and they made his defeat more
disastrous than any other president
ever had suffered.
President Wilson is facing exactly
the same legislative situation in his at
tempt to repeal the provision Of the
Panama canal act allowing American
coastwise vessels free passage thru the
canal His party platform adopted at
Baltimore in 1912 and which he has
sought to use as a, political bible. de-
clared explicitly for free canal. He
went on record himself in at least one
anti election speech in favor OF free
tolls. on the stated ground that one
purpose Of the canal was to AFFORD
competition with the transcontinental
railroad companies. He proposes re-
peal Of the exemption for other than
strictly economic reasons. altho he
says incidentally to callers that the
democratic party for hundred years
has opposed ship subsidies. But the
democratic party Is exceedingly prac-
teal when it comes to grabbing gov
eminent favors and the democrats of
the south and Of the Pacific coast
states are bowling for free tolls as
earnestly and honestly as Senator
O'Gorman, Of New York, for the mari
time interests.
Same Party Division.
Thus President Wilson Is faced with
exactly the same party division over
the repeal bill as Taft was over reci-
procity. Both presidents have faced
about on platform issue, and Mr..
Wilson suffers the added disadvantage
of offending the great Irish American
vote in his party by practically ad
hitting in q message to congress that
he Is repudiating his party platform
partly to avoid offending England. He
has burned his bridges behind him. for
he has refused to use the argument
that tho United States never would
have parted with the sovereign right
to favor her own shipping on an am
biguity. II he Is beaten in this contest
he will be left In no position to reopen
negotiations with Great Britain and to
claim that the United States never
could and never would part with her
power to favor American ships in a
trade from which all other vessels are
excluded.
The differences Of opinion in con-
gress over this great issue are sincere
both as to the Interpretation OF the
Hay Pauncefote treaty and the eco
nomic wisdom Of free canal. Men
differ deeply and honestly as to
whether the national honor Is at stake
in this matter and whether the rail-
road interests will receive any actual
benefits II tolls are charged. Rarely
has question come before congress
upon which debate has meant so much