Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-23
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY.
Continued from page 4.

force toll exemption for American ships
using the canal This woa pledge
In the Republican platform, Republicans
who so easily swung around for the
treaty were mostly i'm 1914 frantic for
the exemption bill. The sudden change
in treaty policy may have been con
certed plan to secure exemption. time
alone will disclose the real purpose and
design. Can this treaty operate to
strengthen the cause for exemption
from political movements In washing
ton. We all know that when the ma
tion by taxation builds n great water
route, that free use should not be do
mated 10 a small fraction Of the people.
/. was not built for "a few. for it be-
longs to all our citizens. and what be
longs To all should not be appropriated
by few who happen to he ship owners.
So many informed citizens will not
give this matter anything but the most
superficial consideration: they listen
only to prejudice and the passion of
political cxpcdicnCy: and hastily ask
the foolish question If we built the
canal why can't we let our ships go
through free? Then follow IL up with
Then you would charge tolls to Aneri-
can ships?" There rs no mystery about
IT, America built tho canal of course
tho whole body Of tho people did. only
a few have ships to traverse the canal.
The questions would bc pertinent II
the people building tho canal were iden-
tiCally the people who were going To use
II. How can an inflnitesimal part of the
people be the whole body?
The whole tion does not bui,ri hornea
or buy automobiles and donate them 10
specially selected few. This canal
is a most unusual undertaking and can
not bo governed by the rules that gov
ern ordinary dorncstic concerns The
canal is far away. amid foreign na
tions. cost a fabulous sum of money and
the right was bought for n limited pur
pose. All those who built IT are not
situated To have the same practical
usc of II. and II was Intentionally pro
cured FOR n toll canal 10 be used only
10y limited number of ship owners
whether considered nationally or in
tcrnationally.
\ man could have no conception Of
business or Of logic who would say that
canal built Thy debts piled on top of
dobts) BY all tho people might be used
without charge by a few who were
situa ted "a use IT, Congress had no
such intention whom II pledged the ma
tional treasury H. tho task Cungreas
might do an illegal act about the canal
hut II cannot grant exemption to fev
without porpctratiug the groRscst in
lugticc upon cur home people The
nation might build highway (arnong
tho peoplel aud donate the use be
cause everybody could walk or ride
upon IL: all could use H. n is another
proposition for tho state 10 build troll
ley limo and donate the use of II TO those
who we're able To use il. NeccasslriiS
only a few could use it would consti-
tutional government tolerate such 8
thing rs this2 Still we are fooliahls
asked IL We built the canal why cam
our ships so through frce?' To allow
such n thing would be n gigantic frauc
against the whole community.
Did we build the canal TO ie< our
boats so through Yes To let their
go through "freey' Mo- Why not
Recause we would be taking money ou
OF Smith 70 give II TO Jones. which
no free government can do II may
expend tax money when il u not pos
~ibie 10 weigh precisely which ont
may receive the greater benefit. Her,
is a case where only a few coastwiss
ships can receive benefits: hence ther,
IS no question about it's absolute In.
/ Justice,
Some tatesmen have wonderful vi
sAons, perhaps by having their head.
{ r,iL rllft - Sa
ophy above my reach find govern
/ ment operating postofices corporations
! running railroad, telegraph and tele
/ phone lines. and users are paying tht
Same equal tolls. But when il come.
! to this phenomenal thing, this miracl,
/ of the ages. thus Herculean task, wher,
4 money went out in floods. after fur
| nishing all this paraphernalia, ingrati
/ tude asks, if we cannot carry its ship.
/ through free? Shall the nation pay .
bonus to those who may use the canal
/ one would be as rational as the other
/ Men are eagerly waiting to repeal
I highly just and equal Law of thena
ton; ready tn keep toll money from
+ coming TO the treasury ready TO piac,
more taxes upon the people. ready [.
/ aid the oil companies. ready to ham
/ string the railroads. We are neces
sarily aroused In order to place al
the agreements OF 1914 before tn,
people. We have consigned a few copie.
+ of our book. Panama Tolls and Trea
ties for sale in Wilmington, at flgur,
which is more than one-half a donation
to public benefit. Inquire of the bool
dealers. If the people will be informee
the equal Law viii stand and Ameri
can honor will be redeemed
George A. Tauey