The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-03
TOLLS F|GHT '' bEe'''' W | Genera Will
 Pass ', .ment STRONG ARGUMENTS
Men From Pacific Coast Have Pre- sented Strongest Reasons Why Free Tolls Should Not
 be Repealed
By c. E. STEWART

'foShih5 toiis Nidy SsTNtoPctidi'i " i''i
 the Mexican trouble demanding praeti-
 cally the entire attention of the adminis- tration, sharing honors only with the sit
 uation in Colorado sight has been lost for the moment of the single big political issue before the country and before Con- gress, the repeal of Panama canal tolls. The exciting events of the past few weeks and the good feeling established in this country by the cooperation of the British admiral in Mexican waters with the commanders of the American fleet, has contributed much 70 the aid of the administration in the tolls repeal fight, Is the belief here. In all events it is quite certain that the bill will pass the Senate.
 The majority for the President is now estimated at nine
 There Is, however a likelihood of the bill being amended The committee itself
 has reported an amendment, and that the Senate will adopt one is regarded as practically certain. This amendment,
 however, will go no further than an as-
 sertion that the United States has not
 surrendered it's right to control the canal.
 An attempt will be made as soon as the
 bill reaches the Senate to make it the
 unfinished business, ano this probably will be done, in which event continuous debate will be heard on the measure until it is finished.
 One of the strongest arguments made before the committee against repeal was delivered by Joseph N Teal, representing the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. MT. Teal argued that the hoped for devel- opment of commerce between the western states. and the Atlantic coast and gulf states after the completion of the canal would be dealt hard blow. He told the committee that toll on boats that ran ir regularly would have a discouraging ef- feet, and if imposed on the vessels in the regular coastwise trade would absolutely prevent the Pacific coast from getting competition. Practically all the lumber shipped from Washington ports, which are the largest lumber ports in the United States, is shipped, he said in tramp steamers which would oe vitally effected by the imposition of tolls. He cited the low grade articles in the coast to coast trade and mentioned Alabama's coal, iron and steel products which could be given to the west in exchange for her products, but which are now excluded because of excessive freight rates There are many low grade commodities on the Pacific coast, which, like Ahbama's coal and iron, are carried in bulk long distances, and in their transportation freight rates are vital factors. Rates absolutely limit and restrict distance within which any commodity may be caAried,' he said.
 We had hoped for a great development of the industries of our section of the country through the opening of the canal and the lowering of rates," said MT. Teal. 'Our markets must be broadened and ex- tended if the west is to prosper There is now an enormous waste that cannot be prevented under existing conditions, as we cannot pay the freight rates Twenty five per cent of the fruit crop annually is permitted to rot because we cannot get it to the eastern markets at rates that justify gathering it. only the highest grade is now gathered and shipped. We are entirely dependent upon water trans portation, and that you will deny us if you repeal this law. The fruit business in time will collapse unless we get rid of our enormous waste. On the other hand" he continued. the east and south have many commodities of manufacture that we can hay ein the abundance we would like, because of the excessive freight rates on the transcontinenta1 railroads the only way in which they can reach us''
 MT. Teal confined his argument almost entirely to the economic reasons for free tolls. He insisted, however, that free tolls in no wise violated the -Pauncefote treaty.
 William R. Wheeler, representing the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. de- clared that if tolls were repealed, and If a toll charge is assessed against coastwise traffic, I am prepared to agree with Dr. Johnson that no material reduction in freight rates will follow the opening of the canal. In consequence it will fall far short of bestowing the benefits which the people of this nation have for years looked forward to with confidence"
 The westerners seemed surprised that representatives from every Atlantic ad gulf port were not in washington malS- ing vigorous protest against repeal. '"The hoped for development of these ports, as well as our own. are at stake, they said.