The Alaska citizen., 1914-04-06
D0INGS At
WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 80
Debate on the Sims bill continued
in the house until o'clock tonight,
and will be concluded during the
morning session tomorrow, only four
hours remaining for the discussion.
1t is expected that a final vote will
be reached before noon tomorrow in
the lower branch of congress.
One Of - the features of today S
debate Was the speech Of Represen-
tative Joe H. Eagle of Texas. who
delivered his address from an in
valid's chair. He denounced the
Sims bill in the strongest terms, de-
claring American vessels to be en-
titled to exemption from the pay
ment of tolls.
istration still claim that the senate
will vote to repeal the preferential
clause Of the Panama canal act. it
is now certain that the measure
will be bitterly contested. The op-
position is strongly organized and
there already are signs of much bit
terneSS
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 81
The Sims BILL to repeal the tolls
exemption clause which permits of
American vessels engaged in coast-
wise trade passing through the Pan
anna canal free of charge, was pass
I'd in the house this afternoon by a
vote Of 24S to 162. Victory was as.
sured for the administration mea.
sure when, by vote Of 230 to 176,
motion made earlier in the day,
to recommit the bill to the interstate
commerce commission and to the
foreign commerce commission was
lost.
Speaking in opposition to the re-
peal, Speaker Clark stated that
there was no personal feeling exist
ing between the President and him
self. and he trusted there never
would be. He was, however. violent
ly opposed to the tenor OF the bill.
The request of the President for
its passage was. to him. amazing and
passed all understanding. During
the course of his remarks, the
speaker said: I'VE want war with
no nation. but rather than surrender
our right to complete sovereignty
over every square foot of our globe
encircling DOMAIN, We will cheerful
ly and courageously face the world
IN arms"
Following Speaker Clark, House
Leader Mann attacked the Sims re-
solution in strong speech in which
ne assailed the Presidents policy in
unmeasured terms.
Such great interest is being taken
in the debate that the galleries are
packed with spectators. in spite of
the fact that admission to the house
can be had by card only.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April l.
The debate on the tolls repeal mea-
sure was continued today in the
senate and many of the speeches
made were bitterly caustic. Sen
ator Jones of Washington made the
suggestion that President Wilson was
trying to save himself from the ef-
fects OF blunders he has made in his
Mexican policy.
1t is admitted that certain SEN
ators hope to make political CAPT
tai during the 1916 campaign out
Of the tolls debate. This is par
ticularly true Of Senators LaFollette
and Borah, both Of whom have pre-
pared speeches against the bill.
WASHINGTON. D. c., April q
President Wilson sent a special
message to the lower house of con-
gress this afternoon, requesting
that body to appropriate the sum of
100000 for a government exhibit
at the Panama-Pacific International
Marshal Erwin has received a let
ter from Seattle asking for informa-
tion concerning the whereabouts OF