The Missouri herald., 1922-05-12

Pursuant to that command tho
Democratic Congress on August oath
passed the Free Tolls Act.
1t also provided that United States
trans-continental railroads must sell
their ships. The purpose was to force
Q reduction Of railway rates by water
competition.
The Canadian railroads still owned
their ships. and, naturally, wanted to
operate them through the canal free.
This would, Of course, give the Cam
adian roads an advantage over the
American roads which had sold their
ships. The Canadian roads, through
the British Government, protested
against free tolls for American ves-
sells unless they were also granted free
tolls.
Secretary Of State Knox forced the
admission from Ambassador Bryce
that the British claims could not be
sustained.
About this time Senator Root made
q speech declaring for the repeal Of
the Free Tolls Act. There was cir
culated. through the Carnegie Insti-
tute, 1,750.0O0 copies Of the speech and
organized propaganda to repeal the
Free Tolls Act was begun.
No real headway, however. was
made until the President appeared be-
fore Congress and demanded the re-
peal of the Act. Here, again, found
myself in opposition with the Presi-
dent. I stood upon the Democratic
platform and resisted the repeal Of the
law.
held then and hold now that the
canal was built by American brains
and Drawn. 1t was paid for by the
taxpayers Of the United States. It be-
longs to the United States. The claim
that our rights are not superior to
those Of other countries that neither
contributed q dollar nor an idea to its
construction Is, In my judgment, un-
sound and un-American.
OF course, gentlemen who permit
the President to do their thinking
would have no difficulty in voting
away the canal, but so far as am con.
cerned, every time I have the oppor-
tunity, I shall vote for the doctrine
that the Panama Canal is American
property and that we can permit our
vessels to 60 through upon such terms
as we see f1t to dictate.
GOOD ROADS.
The Administration was for the pro-
motion Of good roads. I actively sup
ported that policy.
FARM LOAN ACT.
The Administration was for the Farm
Loan Act. served on the Banking
Committee to which 1t was referred,
assisted in perfecting 1t, and support
ed it upon the floor Of the Senate,
CONTROVERSIES WITH MEXICO.
During 1914 and prior thereto, re-
peated and irritating disturbances oc-
Cured in Mexico and across our bor-
der.
The President inaugurated the policy
of "watchful waiting" hoping that af-
fairs would adjust themselves and that
war and bloodshed could be prevented.
He was severely and bitterly criti-
cised for not resorting to force. The
conditions finally became unbearable,
and the President asked authority to
send troops into Mexico.
When this measure was before the
Senate, the President was again We.
hemently assailed, this time because
he proposed to take action.
I defended the President against
these attacks. While I was speaking
the news came that our soldiers were
already fighting in Vera Cruz. The
speech will be found In the Record of
April Fl, 1914.
I desire to pass no encomium upon
myself-reference is made to the in.
cident merely because 1t offers another
illustration of the falsity of the charge
that "always fought the President
AS I recall. the speech was not re-
piled to. The President obtained the
desired authority.
IMMIGRATION.
A bill to restrict immigration by ap.
plying the illiteracy test passed the
House against President Wilson's pro
test.
The President held that illiteracy
was not fair test as to good citizen
ship Of the immigrant.
supported the President. I sup
ported his veto.
PREPAREDNESS.
Realizing that sooner or later the
United States might be drawn into
the European conflict, President VIII
son, in the winter and spring of 1915
began advocating preparedness.
His Administration caused to be In
troduced in Congress The National De
fense Act of 1918.
AS member of the Military Com
mittee I assisted In perfecting the bill
and made speeches in support thereof
THE PRIVATE SOLDIER AND THE
NATIONAL GUARD.
AS a member of the Military Com
mittee, helped frame and insert ir
The National Defense Act numerous
provisions for the benefit of the Ma
tional Guard.
- succeeded In having the bill amend
ed SO as to increase the pay of privat,
soldiers from $500 to $1,000 PEI
month and to cOrrespondingly increas,
the pay of commissioned and non-com