New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-19
Tries 10 Induce Underwood
to Aid in Repeal of
Provision.
BRISTOW ACCUSES
HIM OF DUPLICITY
Senator Says Presidents Attitude
Is Contrary TO His Plea
Made to Women.
-r-om The rr-hnne Eureru


Washincton Feb. lS.-The President set
himself to the task to-day Of bringing
about tn. repeal Of the toll exemption
provision OF the Panama Canal act by
holding conference with Representative
Underwood. tho House leader. TO whom
he explained the reasons for his attitude
The Presidents ingenuity will he put To
the test i'm bringing the members OF MS
party i'm the House into line and over
coming the objections Of Mr. Underwood
and many members Of the majority TO the
repeal Of the tolls provision.
Opposition also made its appearance IN
the Senate Senator Bristow criticised the
President Tor his apparent Inconsistency
in refusing TO indorse woman suffrage
because the party was not committed 10
it by the Baltimore platform and demanu-
ing the repeal Of the tolls provision a.
though the platform contains a declara-
ton expressly approving it. The Senator
from Kansas said with some vchemence
that the movement 10 repeal the provision
vas due to the influence or the trans
continental railroads of the United States
and Canada. Senator chamberlain took
his stand with Mr. Bristow
The most serious obstacle in the way
Of the Presidents programme lies in the
House The Senate. recognizing the gray
itv of foreign complica tons, is apparently
willing TO put its partisan difference IN
the background and 10 regard the prop
lem In its international aspect. IL is as
serted by those supporting the President
that the ma iority OF the Democrats ana
Republicaus in the Senate Will vote 10
eliminate the provision, which is now the
subject Of controversy between Great
Britain and the United State.
In the House the situation Is more com
plex. Mr.. Underwood himself and other
House leaders find themselves in an eX-
tremely embarrassing situation. They can
not support the President without 10
some extent. at least reversing them
selves and running the risk OF condemna-
ton by their constituents.
This condition. it is understood was
discussed by the majority leader ana the
President to-day. House Democrats NC
sire that the President take upon himseh
the burden OF repeating the toll eAen'p-
ton provision by making known clearly
the reasons for his attitude. IL Is even
possible that they will be satisfied with
nothing less than 4 special message OH
the subject, course Of action TO "hich
the President would not be ayerse IL no
other way could be found to prlnS the
Democratic forces into line
IL is possible that in view or the reiuc-
lance of House Democrats TO take tne I'M
tiatiye I'm reversing their position on the
tolls question an attempt will be maze 10
have the Senate pave the way for then'
Senator James was called 10 the White
House tonight for the purpose, II is uh-
derstood. of being commissioned TO as
certain lust how the Senate stood IL is
possible also that way might be founu
TO place the question in the hands OF the
Foreign Relations Committee instead or
the Committee on Tnteroceanic Canals 10
save Senator O'Gorman. chairman Or the
latter committee, from embarrassment.
Senators McCumber and Lodge were
prompt in coming TO the defence OF the
President when Senator Bristow made
him the object of criticism to-day. Their
replies indicated clearly that Republicans
generally do not approve OF the attitude
Of the Senator from Kansas, and that
amoe1g them the President will find some
of his stanchest supporters