The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-10-11
Situation Is
Embarrassing
Attitude of the Senate on
Canal Tolls Exemption
Has Bearing on u. S.
British Relations.
ny DAVID LAW11Nc1.
Copyright by The Iutelhgsncsfo

Washington. Oct. 10.-The most en-
earrass!ng situation that has faced tho
Harding administration since 1t took
Office came 70 a climax to-day. Inc
senate had agreed 70 vote upon the Dill
TO exempt American coastwise vessels
from taying Panama canal tolls. Great
Britain has Pre- ied before against
such legislation .g the ground that It
would violate the rights she claims un-
der tho Hays-Pauncefote treaty. The
British we-e expected to protest again.
Irrespective OF whether the legislation
does or docs not violate treaty. tho
feeling In executive quarters Is that
the passage Of such an act on tho eve
Of the armament conference might nave
o most unfortunate effect on Anglo
American relations. President Harding
Is himself unable TO stop the senate.
for he went on record publicly In favor
OF Panama canal tolls exemption not
only In his speech OF acceptance last
year. but IN speeches since he become
president.
Senator Lodge. OF Massachusetts,,
Wild like Ellhu Root voted against Q
similar bill when It was up before under
the Wilson administration has decided
70 stick TO his earlier attitude. His
opposition 70 the bis mas been on the
ground that treaty rights were brought
Into question. Senator Underwood Of
Alabama. Democratic leader. who re-
fused TO follow President Wilson on the
same issue when the tolls fight OF 1914
was on. is also maintaining the Same
position as he originally did in favor
Of the egislation. Thus two members
Of the American delegation 20 the arm
ament conference arc voting diametr!c-
ally opposite.
Fight Led BY sorsh-
Senator Bcrah has led the flcht for eH-
emption os American vessels. He was
TO, discouraged from pushing the Issue
when ne arst began. though there have
been several attempts BY administration
leaders recently 10 disSuade him. While
faroring the ultimate passage Of the act.
they have contsnded that this was not
,he time 10 10 il. They couldn't bulge
Borah. Hence plan Is atoot TO block
,re meaS4rc from passing tho house.
4 cen easily be los, in tho shuttle
there.
Meanwhile Senator Borah points 10
Tho Republican national platform adopt
ed in June. 1920. which says:
We recommend that all ships ensas-
ed in coasiw!se trade and all vessels
~ the American merchant marine shall
pass through the Panarna canal without
paynen. ot tolls"
Similarly President Harding in his
speech Of acceptance openly endorsed
this plank IN tho platform and said:
Il like that recomr rlital to thoughts
OF America Nrst which pledges the
PananIa canal. an American creation. to
re free use OF American shipping. I.
u,.ll odI IA avakeplr1"
White House silent.
Efforts 10 learn whether President
Harding has abandoned that viewpoint
or still approves. OF the plan have proved
srul.less. The Waite House prefers to
maze no comment at al on the situation.
.:es!dea: Wilson found practically the
81 ne pledge n the Democratic platform
os 1912. but 10 never endorsed THAI
p,a1E and as soon as he took office ma
eHc"ur""f his opposition 20 Il. no night
proved :h~ most costly OF Mr.. Wilson's
mrs; admin. ,traiIon FOR awhile he won
l.. &c. .cr,S"i"ss anta pnisms were
created wItA:T ;he party which never
were hea.ed. Il was because OF the Wig
orouS opposition Of Ir. Sh american So
c!e;ies TO tho repeal Of tho tolls bill
that Mr.. Wilson coined tho phrase
"Hyphenated Americans" which vas
destined 20 drive many from the Dem
ocrat!c party IN later days.
Leading Republicans insist that II
the Issue went 70 arbitration America
would lose. Phiiander Knox az secretary
Of state. declined 20 allow the matter
70 be arb.trated. There may be another
way out this tine. Tho grant OF
direct subsidy 10 American ships Is
under consideration this week n an ad-
ministra zion policy. II would be no vis-
lation OF the Hays PaunCefots treaty II
America gave her ships n subsidy equal
70 he amount paid in canal tolls. Eng
hand subsidies her mere. mt marine
FOR carrying mails and performing other
government services. II the United
States government decided on general
poMcy oS ship subsidies. tho relatively
small sum involved in the payment OF
canal tolls wnu'd Re absorbed by the
larger subsidy and the pendiag leSislA-
e!or could BE- dropped. This would re-
move tho international complications
and would at the same ine satisfy tho