The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-04
Voice of cine Peopls
Why Not Repeal Free Tolls md Give
Subsidy:


To the Editor of The Times Dispatch.
Sir.-To one OF the mddlc-sizcd American
people the contest now waginE IN Congress
over tho canal tolls bill causes tho middle
sized Intellect to wonder. President Wilson,
who has had given him by his party the
most remarkable support OF that given any
President in our recollection. tells a Demo
cratic Congress. supposedly under the aa-
vicc OF his Acknowledgement and Secretary
Of state that the free tolls bill is In con
prevention nj existing treaty contracts be-
tween the United states and Great Britain.
ana asks that for tho honor OF the country
We rcnea! this bill and keep our treaty
9n.if9ti3n. fair majority of IN. ranl, ana
u ,,v OF iht party IN Congress agree wth Mr.
Nisoh' would appear from what ono secs
| ~ o, NE pnpIe press mat majority ~ the
lu; the leaders OF his party ia Congrcss ar.
! inakinG u most strenuous light against THE
i.ptht IHV thc readers and advocates 81 Tho
opp,ns'mS rhIue. are even going so far as
y 70 ani'ima's mat Mr. Wilson IL urging the
.'pc;;'' o1 IN" toiis piil not because OF the
natriotic reason. but IN tho interest OF tn.
measure aud Nix. Wilson IS getting any ct
me rakc-"h no criticism be severe
ton that the mIddle-s!zed American cti1en
nss Tor snch conduit liut accusation IS not
citizens WIN bclcy@ any surh cRnree made
| 4sHinSt a man whose previous iifc ami
tact, 'hc best proof VIII have 10 D.. pro-
NHt't. 'TNpI democrats, well good
American citizens nav" felt great prIc in
the honesty. bravery ana high u,!i,dcIness
OF Mr. Wilson. and like to consider him
IS N" personincntion OF the highes; type OF
American citizen.
The writer. no; having been ahie to ne,
COPY OF tho treaty 50 much discussed and
Therefore. not feeling competent to pass on
;he tcSHi Questions OF the Civilizations therein
inpnSed' and, hence. not undertaking to pass
on the same. Is nevertheless. tempted TO
MAKE IA" following suggestion.
If our treaty obligations require that
American ehlpf cannot hc passed free 90
ton through Tho Panama Canal. which. IS
every one recognizes, iH more les. @: q
subsidy, then what is simpler. Il the Demo
'fulc party IN Congress. or The leaders OF
the Democratic party Ia Congress. wish TO
ti4nt MARINE. Than for them To repeal the
tolls hiii auu th"u pass a blli granting -
SUBSIDY 10 American ships thnt Will De
equivalent 10 tho tolls reuuiTcl 10 he maid
~ such merchant 'nAr!ne iu passing threugh
IA" canal II may be said In criticism a.!
thlS Proposition that We would thereby be
nut England grants subsidies. and there can
be no legal or moral ohliGui,y in thr Uuitcd
states doing ihe same ON the other hand.
our Democratic leaders wiIl be Tclievcd o;
stead of an Incidental subsidy. Congress VIII,
thereby. hr honest enough 20 grant the same
IN an open and uncoiupromislut. manner.
The writer has always thought tNu' The
way 70 build up our merchant rnar!ne We
80 remove IA. tnriu on ships ana ship ma
i"rial; but unt!l this economic question can
wise To suhsilizc American ships To tho
Is. the magnificent work OF regeneration IN
American politics. which President Wilson
has started. may he helped to still further
attainment. At any rate. by putting This
clctr-cHt ISSUE our squaudcred Democratic
honestly declare their true sentiments
OTTO l.. EVANS