The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-10-12
FLETCHER'S ARGUMENT
AGAINST CANAL TOLLS

discussing propOSlJlon winch mas
repeatedly been shown to be indefen-
sible, the supporters of the demand
for free passage through the Panama
canal by American ships in coastwise
trade having been denied previously
whenever presented because it Is not
only clear case of subsidy for a spe-
cial part of American maritime ac-
tivity, but a plain violation of an i'm
portant treaty made in good faith
with Great Britain some years ago.
In the Senate few days ago, Senator
Duncan u Fletcher, of Florida, oppos-
ing the bill To allow vessels of United 4
States registry engaged in coastwise /
trade to pass through the Panama /
canal without payment of tolls, pre-
sented the case in a most comprehens- |
i've and convincing manner.
Senator Fletcher went into such de-
tail as would be necessary to thor /
oughly acquaint any members not full |
ly informed regarding the Hay
Pauncefote treaty, now in force be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain, to secure no unequal advan-
Sage As such procedure as charg-
ing tolls upon battleship, to be paid
lby the United States to the United
States would be merely matter of
bookkeeping, any argument regarding
this feature of the canal business
would seem unnecessary, although
Senator Fletcher was asked during
his comments, if Great Britain had
complained of this feature of opera
tions.
That the allowing of certain class
OF coastwise ships to pass through
the canal free would be unfair to the
, Icoastwise trade that sometimes goes
to foreign port for cargo or part
J cargo, and most unfair to the Amer
. lean shipping engaged in foreign
trade, was emphasized by Senator
! Fletcher and it was clearly demon
) strated that the subsidy that would
: be created in this way would have to
: be paid for by the general public
the taxpayers.
From Senator Fletcher's speech
= the following seems most pertinent
and should convince anyone doubtful
Y az to the results of favoring one class
: against another, and giving the people
: the bill to pay:
: 'The Panama canal was built by
o the use of the money of all the people
t of the United States. All the people
= are entitled to have the benefit of all
f lrevenue derived from its operation as
n q highway of commerce. That reve-
e nue. has not up to this time equalled
t the cost of operation, protection and
h maintenance. All the people have been
obliged to furnish the money required
t to make up the difference. As the
v commerce increases, all revenue should
e. be applied to cover expenses, first
n and then to restore the amounts taker
d from the people in the past to carry
n the burden of the annual deficit, anc
: when all these sums are made good
Is if clear profit is shown, we shoulC
take into account the interest or
IS the total investment-the people hav
10 bonds-as any business return would
It exact, and then the creation of a re
v, serve fund out of which machiner!
lp and equipment can be replaced. a
will inevitably be required. After al
i'd that, if there is still a profit, it be
ig longs to all the people in the natur
er of dividends on their great enterprise
a Merchant shipping engaged in tn
ye coastwise trade did not build tn
lg canal; did not bear alone the burdel
m of its maintenance, operation an
r protection. These interests are en-
a titled to precisely the same and n
1r other benefits as every other interes
h in the United States. They now see
the special and additional benefit o
the free use of the canal, which woul
er be equivalent to donating to Their
10 out of the earnings of the canal, an
We thus out of funds belonging to all tn
ed people, over a million and half do
rs lars annually. 1t troubles them not q
tn Ian that such a course would mean a
X utter disregard of our solemn cor
o. tract with Great Britain, made
i'll part consideration of their surrende
to Of advantages and rights vested /
iii them by a prior treaty which the
ut allowed to be superseded by the late
ot ones we very much, in our own inter
d. est, desired"
ZEE In the course of Senator Fletcher
re- remarks he introduced tables an
ed statements to show that the bushes
,et of the Panama canal is steadily grow
lis ing and it is interesting to note thu
of American coastwise trade is increa!
ur ing at a very satisfactory rate, tt