Evening star., 1914-06-01
RIGHT TOREDUCE
TOLLSCONFERRED
President Is Empowered by
Amendment of Senator
Pittman.
TWO REPUBLICANS SPEAK
FOR AND AGAINST REPEAL
Mr. Colt of Rhode Island Announces
He Will Support Executive-Cat-
ron Takes Opposite Stand.

Speeches for and against the Panama
canal tolls repeal bill were made in
the Senate today by Senators Colt,
Rhode. Island. and Catron, New Mexi-
co. Both are republicans.
Senator Pittman of Nevada. demo
crat introduced an amendment to the
repeal bill which would give the Presi-
dent the right to reduce the rate of
tolls charged on American coastwise
vessels. or to exempt these vessels
from the payment of tolls, at any time
IN the future when it became neces-
sarF TO do so to prevent discrimina ton
against American coastwise ships.
In explanation of his amendment, Sena-
tor Pittman pointed out that - Great
Britain paid a subsidy to her merchant
vessels going through the Panama canal
and the British and American vessels
were paying the same tolls there would
pc discrimination against American ships
He said that it was against the policy
OF this country to pay ship subsidies and
that the only way in which the matter
could be equalized was by the reduction
OF tolls to American vessels. Senator
Pittman insisted that the Hay-Paunce-
Tote treaty stated clearly there should
be equal treatment of vessels passing
through the Panama canal
Colt to support President.
Senator Colt announced he would sup.
port the President in his demand for
the repeal of the exemption of Ameri-
can coastwtse vessels from the payment
OF tolls through the Panama canal. He
said:
am In favor of tho repeal of the
1Iee Tolls provision of the Panama canal
ACT because | believe that law places
IND III
the nations of the world in regard to
our treaty obligations; because l be-
Heve that the law violates the meaning
ana intent of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
ana because | think that independent of
any treaty the Panama canal like the
Suez canal should be free and open in
uHe OF peace to the vessels of all
na9onS on terms of entire equality.
We have arbitrarily, and without sub
n1tting the question to arbitration. made
IN equality the law of the land con-
tinued Senator Colt. explaining his posi-
ton regarding the free tolls clause of
the Panama canal act
Referring to the Suez canal TO which
ne hkens the Panama canal in its benefits
10 mankind. Senator Colt said:
ma that Europe has recognized The
uehdno OF clvliization and that this canal
mas peen dedicated to mankind and the
commerce of the world / find that the
sreat powers of Europe. the owners and
the territorial sovereigns. entered into a
eoienih compact by which the use of the
canal Is secured to the vessels of All
nations on terms of entire equality
will q. s. Recognize Her Duty p,
Il now turn to the Panama canal .nd
TO America. and 1 find that .Aemiran
genius, energy and skill have accom-
pished the second vast achievement. and
hnd the nations of the world as!xine
what will America do? Will she dedicate
this canal to civilization and TO the cor,
merce of all nations? Will she do as
Europe has done? Will she. too reeoe-
nlze her duty to mankind and decree that
,ne use OF this canal shall be free and
equality?
And the thought comes to me: Oh.
america, You have been carrying on the
most remarkable experiment in gov
ernment in the worlds history. Your
example is spreading over the earth
with irresistible force. You have
grown. big, and rich and powerful un-
I'll your influence dominates this
hemisphere. and at the foundation of all
thls greatness lies the rule of equality
upon which your government is based,
and today the nations Of the world are
asking you to apply this rule to all the
vessels which seek to pass from ocean
10 ocean through the Panama canal"
Catron's Criticism.
In an address in opposition to the Pana-
ma canal tolls repeal bill. Senator Catron
criticised President Wilson and those
1 democratic members of Congress who
ppported the free tolls" clause of the
Fanama canal act, and are now demand
ing its repeal.
1t seems that many members of this
body and the other house of Congress- -
said Senator Catron. who had on the
passage of the act which Is now sought
TO be amended voted for the provisions
which the President now insists are in
rontravention to the treaty with Great
Britain and constitute mistaken eco
homie policy from every point of view.
IKE President Wilson, are attempting to
tower their tracks and throw the people
bn the trail The President. in some way
hot known to those of US who are not in
lis confidence, is able to command the
obedience and submission to his will Of
many of his party followers against their
expressed and avou ed opinions"