, 1921-10-20
Passage of Canal Tolls Exemp-
tion Bill May Result in
Serious Complications.
MIDDLE WEST IN PROTEST
American Delegates to Arms Confer
ence Formulating Policy-Sudden
Death OF Senator knox-Germany
Is Enraged by Reported Par
tltion of Upper Silesia.
By EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

When the senate last week passed
the Borah bill exempting American
coastwise vessels from payment Of
Panama canal tolls 1t started some
thing, Inc that something may prove
later rather embarrassing for the ad-
ministration, provided the house also
passes the measure. In the opinion
of the opponents Of the bill 1t is a
violation Of the treaty Of 1914 with
Great Britain assuring all nations
equal treatment in the operation of
the canal, and they are confident that
the British not only will protest the
bill II 1t is made law, but will de-
mand arbitration Of the matter. Some
senators asserted that 1t was unwise
TO bring up the tolls ssue at this time
because II would add a new compiler
ton to the armament conference. This
view was held by Senator Lodge, al
though he declared the United States
had the right under the treaty to ex-
empt It's coastwise shipping from tolls
payment. Senator Borah, however, in
timating that he had consulted the
President, said that those who are
primarily responsible for the success
full outcome of the conference, so far
not share the fears Of embarrassment,
which have been expressed OF this
floor today"
When IL came to a vote, 80 Repub-
licans and II Democrats were recorded
In favor of the measure, and II Re-
publicans and 20 Democrats In oppo-
sition. Free tolls was a plank in the
Democratic platform of 1912, but It
was repudiated by President Wilson,
and at his insistence the free tolls
clause in the canal act was repealed
in 1914 after an exciting parliamentary
battle. Last year the Republican plat
form advocated the exemption of
American shipping and President Har-
ding has urged the passage of the
bill. In middle western states bust
ness and commercial organizations are
strongly opposing the measure because
they believe It is designed to benefit
the Atlantic and Pacific coast states at
the expense Of the rest of the country.
Many Of the middle western senator's
who voted In favor OF the bill are
blamed for blindness TO the interests
of their sections of the country. The
argument that the measure is In con-
travention OF the treaty is weakened
by the fact that coastwise traffic Is
restricted by law to vessels of Ameri-
can registry. and II is TO these only that
the proposed exemption will apply.
The real battle over the issue will
come In the lower house. and It is
predicted that the bill will be allowed
10 sleep there until after the conclu-
sion OF the conference on armnments.
While the foreign delegates TO the
arms conference are on their way TO
America, our own delegation Is hold
Ing meetings TO formulate the policy
that will be followed by the United
States. At its first session Secretary
Of State Hughes reported that not one
OF the participating powers had raised
a single objection TO any part Of the
tentative agenda he had submitted.
Even japan, which at first was n bit
coy, has proposed no additions OF
eliminations. Mr.. Hughes also said
he had cabled TO the powers. as an
addition 20 the agenda, the PROPOSE.
tion that the conference consider
the question OF electrical communica.
ton In ihe Pacific; which, OF course,
means that the controversy with
Japan over the zap cable and radio
will come up. unless 1t is settled In
the meantime.