The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-03-19
WILSON'S PLEA TO
Be HEEDED, LIKELY
REPEAL OF CANAL TOLLS Is
FREELY PREDICTED BY
LEADERS.
DECISIVE VICTORY WANTED
Bill of Senator Owen in Senate Puts
Question Before ~lnteroceanic
Communicative Are
to Switch.

Washington, March 16. - Admins
house set themselves for a quick and
decisive fight over the proposed re-
peal Of the toll exemption clause Of
the Panama canal act, confident hat
President Wilson's plea for reversal
of policy would be needed.
Repeal Bill in Senate.
In the senate, after informal con-
ferences of Democratic leaders and a
talk with President Wilson, Senator
Owen of Oklahoma introduced a re-
peal bill similar to the Sims bill pend
ing in the house in order to have the
issue placed Immediately and square
ly before the committee on inter
oceanic canals.
1t also was determined to hasten
consideration of the measure by this
committee in order that it may be
ready for action in the senate as soon
as it is disposed Of in the house. Rep
resentative Adamson, chairman Of
the house committee on interstate
Commerce, who is leading the fight
for the presidents plea in the lower
body, conferred with senators during
the day, giving assurances that the,
repeal bill would be passed by a com
Portable margin.
Senate leaders were actuated to be-
gin vigorous action before the house,
completes it's work on the matter be-
cause of a realization that while ul-
timate passage Of the repeal is as
sured, there will be a hard fight or
the committee on ~interoceanic canals
which has jurisdiction over the bill.
Senator Owen, a majority member
OF hat committee, took the initia-
tive, Senator O'Gorman, the chair
man, and some other Democratic.
members being opposed to the repeal.
Senator O'Gorman, who now is out
Of the city, will return on Monday to-
find an insistent demand for taking
up the Owen bill and also the COM
promise bill submitted by Senator
Chiffon, another member of the COM
mittee, which would empower the
president to assess tolls against the
American coastwise vessels.
Promise Support of President.
Among the Democrats on the COM
mittee that voted for toll exemption
who have assured the president that
they would support the repeal are Sem
ator Thornton, the ranking member,
and Senator Simmons, of North Caro-
lima. Senator Chiffon also is counted
upon by the administration leaders to,
vote for a fiat repeal measure, since
the president has declared that there
must be no compromise in settling the
issue.
Senator Walsh, Of Montana, who
fought for toll exemption, has declared
himself open to conviction, but as yet
has made no announcement of any
intention to change his views.
Republican members of the commit
tee also are divided. In any event the
action of the committee on the Owen
bill is expected to be close. Should the
majority report the bill ~unfavorably.
Senator Owen and other of the mi
nority will submit a minority report
upon which the senate will be asked
to act.
Must be Settled Soon.
No matter what action the COM
mittee may take" said Senator Owen
this is a matter that must be set
tied and there is no reason for DELAY.
The house has determined upon a pro-
gram and should there be any delay
there we should be ready to proceed
in the senate"
Much discussion prevailed in the
senate yesterday as to the outcome.
OF the issue, it being generally con-
coded that the repeal bill would pass.
Claims that it would be adopted by
a majority of about so were not ac-
cepted. however, by the conservative
leaders, who predicted that the major
ity in favor Of the repeal would not
exceed ten.