The Washington herald., 1914-04-04

sition to jump the traces several times
In this administration. He threatened re-
volt on the wool schedule of the tariff
bill. while Senator Pittman made the
principal speech in support OF free wool.
senator Newlands ultimately landed on
the reservation. although not until he
had caused some perturbation. Again.
on the currency issue. the senior Senator
had ideas he wished to incorporate In
the administration bill. Ultimately. he
voted for the bill. Whether his course
on the tolls night win be modelled salons
the same lines Is a subject for interest
ing speculation. He has to go before
the voters next November for re-elec-
ton. The administration already has for
gotten his previous disturbances and
given him a long push forward by ac-
cepting with his authorship the tentative
bill for a trade commission as part of
the administrations antitrust program.
sterling for Repeal.
Senator's Burleigh and Du Pont, Re-
publicans, both of whom had been count
ed as favorable to the repeal. yesterday
denied they had any intention OF vot-
ing for the President. On the other hand.
Senator Sterling Republican. of South
Dakota. who had been counted with the
opponents of repeal. will vote in favor
of 1t, along with most OF the Northwest
ern Senator'S The position OF Senator
Crawford. Of South Dakota, remains in
doubt. with the anti-repeal forces claim
ing him on the strength of his vote in
favor ~ the exemption OF American
ships in the coastwise trade of the United
States.
Senator Lea, in announcing his inten-
tion to support the President, issued the
following statement:
Il am heartily supporting the President
in his effort to have the canal toll exemp-
tion repealed. I am opposed to all sub
sidies. -he canal toll exemption is but
the old ship subsidy, which the Demo-
Gratis have always opposed and the Re-
publicans have always favored.
There has been a government railroad
operated on the Isthmus OF Panama now
for several years and no one has advocat-
ed that the government should carry
freight on IL for the American shippers
without charging them. Congress has
passed. and the President has approved,
bill authorizing the construction of a
railroad in Alaska. and yet even no
friend of subsidy has had the temerity
TO advocate free transportation over that
railroad to American shippers. There is
neither rhyme nor reason why this gov
ernment should give free transportation
or to any citizens
Planks Are Inconsistent.
1T is true the Democratic platform
contains a provision in favor OF exempt
ing American coastwise vessels from
canal tolls. but II is also true that 1t
contains a plank against subsidies of all
character. These two planks are incon-
sistent and the Democratic convention
could not have meant to declare both for
toll exemption and against subsidies. In
constituting the platform as to which
plank is binding, We must take into con-
sideration what has been the time hon
ored tradition and policy of the Demo-
cratic party and We find that it has
always opposed subsidies and special
privileges. and. therefore. the plank In
favor OF canal toll exemption is rendered
meaningless by the subsequent plank
against subsidies.
I'm supporting the President in his
efforts to prevent the granting OF sub
sidies to the shipping trust, no one is
violating the Baltimore platform, but is
loyal to one of the best traditions and
soundest policies OF the Democratic
party"