Daily Kennebec journal., 1921-10-11
Borah Bill Passed, AZ to 81
Party Lines Awry in Final
Vote--Father of Measure
Sees Only Good in Course
Long Delay Anticipated in
Lower Branch

Washington, Oct. 1O-The Borah
bill for tolls exemption of American
coastwise vessels passing through
the Panama Canal was passed by the
Senate today AZ to 81. The measure
now goes to the House where it is
expected it will be subject to indefin-
ite delay in consideration, at least
until after the conference on limita-
tion OF armament.
Before proceeding to final vote
the Senate rejected without a roll
call two substitutes offered by SEN
ator King, Democrat, Utah, to auth
orize the President to negotiate for
arbitration of the tolls question and
to appropriate 100000 as a sub
sidy for American vessels using the
canal. Debate on the Borah propo-
sal disclosed a split in party ranks,
opponents declaring that the bill was
inopportune while Senator Borah,
Republican, Idaho, declared he had
talked with President Harding and
Secretary Hughes and that they did
not share such views.
Twelve Democrats. including
Walsh of Massachusetts, voted for the
bill on the roll CALL while II Repub-
licans voting in opposition We're
Brandegee, Connecticut; Colt, Rhode
Island; Dillingham;, Vermont: Hale,
Z Maine; Reyes, New Hampshire and
Lodge. Massachusetts.
Two other Republicans. Du Pont,
Delaware and Mclean, Connecticut
were paired against the plan.
In referring to the armament con-
ference, Senator Borah said he did
not understand that this conference
would involve the United States bar
tcring away any substantial right.
II have talked with those most re :
sponsible for and concerned in the
conference" he added, II have had a
fun understanding and discussion.
The fears expressed are not shared
by them"
Senator Lodge, was among those
who raised the question of the ar
mament conference He admitted
+ that the United States had the legal
right to pass the bill. but said there
We're potent reasons against &C
ton, at this time, in view of the
coming conference. He urged arbi
tration.
Senator Borah. in closing the dis
cussion, said his bill would be mere
ly construction of the Hay Paunce-
fote treaty, which contains dis
puted clause to give equal canal
privileges to vessels of all nations.
with the British contcnding that il
does not authorize free tolls or even
subsidies for American coastwise
vessels.
The last official declaration on the
treaty was the Wilson bill of 1914,
repeating the free tolls bill passed
late in the Taft administration.
Senator Borah said, adding it was
desirable there should be a later
declaration to give force to the
American position in event of arbi
tration.
His bill, Senator Borah, said,
would open the way for Great Brit :
am TO ask arbitration, which, he ad-
ded, probably would result. The Re-
publican platform pledges for free
Tolls was emphasized by Senator
Borah and also by Senator Willis
Republican. Ohio, who nominated
President Harding at the Chica 90
convention last summer. Mr.. Bora
said the presidential candidate had
declared often for free toIIs 49, -
ded:
And Notwithstanding the sub
marlning that has been going on. the
president has not changed his mind .
/ senator Ashurst, Democrat. Ari-
zona. urged Democrats to keen the
pledge Of the Baltimore Democratic
convention, which favored free tolls
senator Pomerene. Democrat, Ohio,
who opposed the bill declared the
Baltimore plank did not "represent
the real sentiment" of the conyen-
ton and added that the Borah Nil,
never would barter away the honor
OF the country for a ship SUBSIDY"
The subsidy question would he
brought up in later legislation Son
ator Borah declared. stating he
would advocate regulation of a tolls
subsidy by the Interstate Commerce
commission or some other tribunal
Similar regulation also was urged ~,
senator Cummins, Republican Iowa
chairman of the Interstate Com
merce committee.