Norwich bulletin., 1921-10-11

Washington, Oct 1O.-The Borah bill for tolls exemption of American coast wise vessels passing through the Panama Canal was passed by the senate today, 41 to 37. The measure now goes to the house. where it is expected it will be subject to indefinite delay in considera- uon, at least until after the conference on limitation of armament
 Before proceeding 10 a final vote the senate rejected without a roll call two substitutes offered by Senator King. to authorize the president to negotiate for arbitration of the tolls question: and to appropriate S2,Oe0, ,o00 as 2 subsidiary for American vessels using the canal. De bate on the Borah proposal disclosed a split in party ranks, opponents declar- ing the bill was inopportune while Sen ator Borah declared he had talked with President Harding and Secretary Hughes and they did not share such views. Twelve democrats voted for the bill on the oi call while r republicans vot- cd in opposition, so that the democratic support Vas regACded as the deternin- ing factor. Democrats who gave their support to the bi1l were,
 Ashurst, Arizona Brussard, Louisiana {; Harrison. Mississippi; Kendrick, Wyom- ing; Ransdell, Louisiana Reed. Mis- souri; Robinson, Arkansas; Shields, Ten n"ssee; Stanley, Kentucky; Underwood. Alabama: Walsh, Massachusetts; and Walsh Montana
 Republicans voting in opposition were :: Brandegee, Conn. Colt, Rhode Island ; Dillingham;, Vermont: Ernst. Kentucky Hale. Maine: Kenyon Iowa Reyes New Hampshire Lodge, Massa achusetts: Me Corrnick. Illinois; McC umber. North Da- Eota Mckinley. Tllin pis Nelson. Min nesota New, Indiana Spencer. Missou- ri Sterling, South Dakota; Wadsworth, New York and Warren Wyoming.
 Two other republicans. Dupont, Dela- ware and Mclean Connecticut, were paired against the blli In referring to the armament conference. Senator Bo- rah said he did not understand that this conference VIII involve the United States barterinE away any substantial right
 T have talked with those most re- sponsible for and concerned in the con- ference he added. ''I have had a full understan nding and discussion. The fears expressed are not shared by them"
 Senator Lodge was among those who raised the question of the armament con. ference He admitted that the United S-ates had the legal right to pass the bin but said that there were potent reasons" sEainst action at this time, ir Nl-W DL lUe coming conference. SepatOl Mccormick expressed similar sentiments saving the senate's action would "givt offense 10 the conferees" and "rebuff the good will and friendly and generous feel ing" of foreign delegates.
 Arbitration was the course urged h! Senators Lodge. Williams. and other. Scnat' Wadsworth republican, Nev York. sought to present a motion to re commit the bill but Tive Presiden Coolidge ruled that the agreement fo vote at four o'clock required vot on passage only Senator Ashurst dur in- debate suggested an amendment {, make the bill clear that the tolls ex eTption should be confined to aAmerica1 vessels engaged "exclusivelv" in coast wse trade but did not offer it.
 Senator Borah, Tn closing the discus sion. said his bill would be merely a con struction of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty which contains a disputed clause to giv canal privileges to vessels of "all ma lions" with the British contending tha i- does not authorize free tolls or eve subsidiaries for American coastwis vessels
 The last official declaration on tn treaty was the Wi son bill of 1914. rt 0ealinr the free tolls bill passed late i tho Taft administration. Senator Be rah said adding that it wa desirable that there should be a la CT declaration to give force to the Amer ican position Tn event of arbitration.
 Ills bill. Senator Borah said, woul open the way for Great Britain to as arbitration which, he added probab1 would result
 Tho republican platform pledges ft free tolls was emphasized by Senate Borsh and also Senator Willis, who non mated President Harding at the Chicae convention. Mfr. Borah said the pres dertial cabinet declared often for frt tolls and added:
 And notwithstan ding the subma rfnir that has been going on, the preside1 has not changed his mind"
 Senator Ashurst urged democrats 'keep the pledge" of t'e Baltimore der Ocratic convention, which favored fir tolls. Senator Pomerene, who oppose the bill, declared the Baltimore plal did not represent the real sentimen of the convention and added that t Borah bill woud barter away the ho or of the country for a ship subsidy
 The subsidy question would be broug ID in later legislation. Senator -Bor; declared. stating he would advocate re ulation of tolls subsidy by the intersta commerce commission or some other u bunaL