New-York tribune., 1920-09-26
Wilson Ship
Stand Called
Iyrant Act
Hannis Taylor Asserts Re-
fusal to Comply With
Will of Congress is Bold
Assault ON Constitution
Warns President
OF Consequences
Ex-Minister Sees Attempt
to Set Up dispensing
Power of Ancient Kings


WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-President
Wilson's reputation of the right of
Congress to direct the Executive to
carry out definite legislation pre-
scribed in the merchant marine act
was declared to-day by Hannis Tay-
lor, former American Minister to
Spain and noted authoritys on in
ternational law, to be the most "dread-
stitution."
Mr.. Taylor, who is author Of "Ori-
gin and Growth Of the English Consti-
tuition" and "Origin and Growth Of
the American Constitution" said the
Presidents declaration was "a fragrant
attempt to set up in this country an
obnoxious form of tyranny known un-
der the Tudor and Stuart despotism
as the dispensing power"
The statement by Mr.. Taylor, given
out through the Republican National
Committee, follows:
president Wilson says he will not
enforce an act passed by Congress and
signed by himself; that is to say, he
| will dispense with a certain section
of the act of Congress approved Of
by him. 1t is the most dreadful as
sault yet made upon the Constitution,
even by the Wilson dictatorship, be-
cause it is fragrant attempt to set
up in this country an obnoxious form
of tyranny known under the Tudor and
Stuart despotism as 'the dispensing
power That power was designed to
reasons, to suspend part or the whole
of a statute, or series of statutes,
in conflict with the royal will 1t was
that form of tyranny that led directly
to the expulsion of James II.
Says Wilson Should Beware
GAS the revolution of 1888 made it
! ever to reappear under English and
American constitutions, President will
son and his Secretary Of State. Colby,
equally responsible, shQMSsiTahswsFas
Any attempt of any Exednfive, 6f 1his
advisers, in the English speaking world
to revive the hated dispensing power
of the Stuarts viii constitute the great
est of high crimes and misdemeanors.
The House of Representatives meets
in December.
GAS it is made plain that the motive
for the exercise of the dispensing
power in this case is to strike down a
to ships flying the American flag, Pres
ident Wilson evidently intends in this
way to widen the policy by which, in
violation of his solemn pledge to the
American people, he made it possible
for Great Britain to say to this govern
ment: You shall not exempt an Amer
lean ship from the payment of tolls
even when she is passing through your
own canal in your own territory"
All foreign governments having COM
mercial treaties with the United States
were notified to-day by the State De-
pnrtment of President Wilson's deci-
sion not to comply with the provisions s
of the merchant marine act requiring
him to request changes in these treat
les to make them accord with the
American Constitution.
The notification, it was said at the
State Department, was informal and
sent merely as a matter of general in
telligence to Foreign Offices abroad.
Formal notice to nations with which
We have commercial treaties is not re-
qulrcd," said one State Department
official, "for the Presidents action en-
| avs ehOoC S1CaIlcS W remain lQLACI
and undisturbed."
Greatest Act" Say Wilson's Friends
The Presidents refusal to obey the
mandate Of Congress was held to-day
in official circles to be entirely justi
fed. BY his refusal to request foreign
governments to change their treaties
SO that discriminatory tariffs ane
duties might be levied in favor o,
goods carried by American vessels, il
was said in Administration circles thai
Mr.. Wilson had performed one of hi:
greatest acts"
Through the Presidents refusal te
obey the direction in the legislation,
one State Department official said, "one
alteration in the subject matter Of the
treaties has been made. Congress