Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-10-11
PARTY LINES DOWN
AS SENATE ATTACKS.
FREE TOLLS BILL
CANAL SoUABBLE OF ANCIENT
VINTAGE TERMINATES IN PER
NIT GRANTING U. S. SHIPS USE
or PANAMA CANAL WITHOUT
COST.

Washington, Oct. 1.-THE Borah bill
to exempt American coastwise YES
sells from paying tolls in passing
through the Panama Canal was passed
by the Senate Monday. a TO 81
Party lines were ignored. The mea-
sure now goes to the House, where
il is expected il will be delayed at
least until after conference on limita-
ton of armament.
Before the final vote the Senate re.
jected two substitutes offered by Sen.
ator King, Democrat, Utah, One
wouldsshave authorized the President
to negotiate arbitration Of the tolls
question and the other appropriate
$2.000000 as a subsidy for American
vessels using the canal
Debate on the Borah proposal dis.
closed a split in party ranks, oppo-
nents saying the bill was inopportune,
whiles Senator Borah said President
Harding and Secretary Hughes did
not share that view.
Twelve Democrats voted for the bill,
while seventeen Republicans voted in
opposition, so that the Democratic
support was regarded as the determ.
ing factor. Democrats who gave their
support to the bill were:
Ashuret BrouSard Harrison Ken.
drick, Ransdall, Reed Robinson,
ShieMs, Stanley, Underwood. Walsh
CNIassachusetts) and Walsh Mon.
tanao
Republicans voting in opposition
were.
Brandegee Colt. Dillingham;, Ernst,
Hale, Kenyon, Reyes, Lodge. McCor.
mick (Illinois). McCumber, Mckinley
(Illinois). Nelson, New, Spencer, Ster.
ling.f Wadsworth and Warren.
Two other Republicans. Dupont,
Delaware, and Mclean. Connecticut
were paired against the bill.
In referring to the armament con
ference, Senator Borah said he did not
understand that this conference would
lead the United States to barter away
any Substantial right
81 have talked with those most re
sponsible for and concerned in the
conference" he added 81 have had a
full understanding and discussion.
The fears expressed are not shared
by them
Senator Lodge, Republican leader
was among those who raised the
question of the armament conference.
He admitted that the United States
had the legal right to pass the bill,
but said there were potent reasons
against action at this time, in view
of the coming conference.
Senator Mccormick of Illinois ex
pressed similar sentiments. saying the
Sena5e's action would give offense
to the conferees" and rebuff the good
will and friendly and generous feeling
of foreign delegates.
Arbitration was urged by Senators
Lodge. Sterling Williams and others
Senator Wadsworth Of New York
NIT the bill but Vice President Coo
sought to present motion to recon-
lidge ruled that the agreement for q
vote at 4 o'clock required a vote on
Passage only.
Senator Ashurst, Democrat of Ari
IONA. suggested an amendment tC
make clear that the tolls exemption
shond be confined to American yes
sells exclusively" in coastwise trade
but9did not offer It,
Senator Borah, in closing the dis
cussion. said his bill would be merely
q construction of the ay-PaunCefote
treaty, which contains disputed
clause to give equal canal privileges
to vessels of "all nations" with thf
British contending that it does moi
authorize free tolls or even subsidies
for American coastwise vessels.
The last official declaration on the
treaty was the Wilson bill of 1914, re
peaiing the free tolls bill passed late
in the Taft administration.