Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-14
ATTACKS MAJORITY
ON TOLLS QUESTION
Report on Panama Canal
Charges U. S. Policy. Is Con-
tro|Ied by Great Britain.

| In a minority report which charges that
the policy of the United States in the
| Panama canal tolls matter is controlled
entirely by British diplomatists. and pre-
sented to the House today, Repre-
| sentative knowland OF California, mem
| bers of the House interstate and foreign
| commerce committee, answered the argu-
| ments OF the administration as contained
| in the committee maiority's report rec
ommending the repeal of the toll exemp-
ton clause of the canal act. The Know
| land report is caustic and satirical in
spots 1t states that the arguments of
the majority. contained in Representa-
tive Adamson's report. are but a reitera-
ton of the arguments advanced by Sir
Edward Grey. secretary of state for for
eign affairs of Great Britain. in opposition
to the position taken by Congress when
it enacted the existing canal law.
Opposition Comes From Railways.
The report lays on thick the argument
that the exemption of coastwise vessels
from tolls has been opposed mainly by
the Canadian Pacific and other cross
continent roads, and as to the effect of
tolls on the ultimate consumer. the re-
ment:
mo specious argument will convince
shippers and consumers of the United
States that toll of S1.2O levied on a
ship of net register capacity. say, OF sO0
tons amounting to $4,000 each trip, Will
not be reflected in freight rates. or that
the chief benefits of repeal will not ac-
crue to the railroads.
Substance of Report.
The Knowland minority report also
says:
"a situation unparalleled and unprece-
dented in history now confronts this ma
ton. The passage of the bill would give
British Interpretation to the Hay
Pauncefote treaty, and thus surrender
for all time rights vitality affecting this
nation commercially, strategically and po-
litically.
Thousands of patriotic American citi-
zens insist that we cannot maintain our
national honor in the present controversy
if we abjectIy surrender every American
right at Panama The history of this
country would have been less glorious
had we failed to urge our contentious
even when fully convinced of our right
When the Venezuela question stirred the
nation it was mistake. according to this
new 'peace-at-any-price policy, tor
President Grover Cleveland to have de-
clared in a message that commanded the
respect of the world:
Today the United States is practical
~ sovereign upon this continent, and its
fat is law upon the subjects to which it
confines its interposition.
Voices a Warning.
The report warned the interstate COM
merce committee and members of the
| House that by the provisions OF the Sims
bill it would forever foreclose the right
Of the United States to pass through the
canal without payment of tolls eithel
battleships, revenue cutters, golfers
| transports or other government-ownet
craft.
The fact that the Supreme Court rem
dered decision which sustained the
| contention that the provisions of the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty are not applicable
to vessels in the coastwise trade was
cited as an additional argument against
the repeal of the tolls exemption.
Representative Lafferty of Oregon in
another minority report said there was
no doubt that any arbitration court would
support the American contention in the
| tolls controversy.