heard before I for one should wish that they be heard at this time, even though they did not care to be heard the other time, and Í make a motion to that effect. Senator BRANDEGEE. Before that motion is put, I think the proper way would be for the committee to decide whether it is going to have any hearings before it decides to hear particular people. Senator THOMAS. And what length of time is to be given. Senator BRANDEGEE. Yes; and what length of time is to be given. If we decide to have no hearings there is no use of talking about hearing particular people. Senator THORNTON. Mr. Chairman, I am inclined to think that is a reasonable proposition advanced by the Senator from Connecticut, and I am willing that the other should be taken up first. I certainly, however, will ask that the New Orleans people have the opportunity to be heard. I am not in favor of others who were here two years and were heard then all they wanted to be heard, being heard again. Senator BRANDEGEE. Before we take that up, Mr. Chairman, if I may be allowed to say so, I think perhaps anybody who has any requests for a hearing might be allowed to state it now, and then we could consider the question of whether we are going to have any hearings. I see that the Senator from Washington (Mr. Jones] is present, and I did not know but what he had something that he wanted to present. Senator JONES. Yes. I do not think there is any section of the country that is more interested in this matter than the Pacific coast, and especially the people of our State. They feel that their interests are involved very deeply in this proposition. I have here a telegram from the West Coast Lumber Manufacturers' Association, reading as follows: Following telegram sent Senator O'Gorman. Please wire results. Considering the President's asservations in his message to Congress that free tolls would foster a monopoly and is an economic mistake, we are justly entitled to a hearing before the Interoceanic Canal Committee. We respectfully request that the date be made at such time as possible for Pacific coast representative to appear. WEST COAST LUMBER MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION, I take it from this telegram that a telegram has been sent to the chairman of this committee asking for a hearing. The CHAIRMAN. I have received such a telegram and a great many others from citizens in the West and Northwest. Senator JONES. I have here a telegram from George Milton Savage, the president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, asking for a hearing. I have also a telegram from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce about other matters, which closes by saying: Also wiring Senator O'Gorman asking coast interests be granted a hearing before the Senate committee reports on tolls repeal. Will you please reenforce this? I will file those telegrams. I tried to get in touch with Senator Poindexter this morning, but was not able to do so. I am satisfied, though, that he would concur in my request for a hearing on behalf of our interests before this committee. (The telegrams referred to are as follows): Senator WESLEY L. JONES, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. Tacoma Commercial Club and Chamber of Commerce under instructions of resolution adopted by board of trustees to-day offers sincere protests against repeal of freetolls measure. We believe that American dollars invested in Panama Canal should not be used to destroy or injure American commerce. Repeal would menace industries and commerce of entire Pacific coast. We urge that you use every possible energy to prevent undoing of the just and reasonable canal regulations adopted the last Congress. GEO. MILTON SAVAGE, President. Senator WESLEY L. JONES, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C.: Referring recent telegram covering protest Tacoma Commercial Club and Chamber of Commerce against free-tolls repeal, urge that you make every effort to secure hearings; very important that western representatives on way to Washington have opportunity to present arguments. GEO. MILTON SAVAGE, President. The CHAIRMAN. In this connection I might say that I have received. similar requests from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce; the Tacoma Commercial Club and Chamber of Commerce; the Silverton Commercial Club, of Silverton, Oreg.; the West Coast Manufacturers' Association, Seattle, Wash.; the South Bend Commercial Club, South Bend, Wash.; the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen, Wash.; the Polson Implement Co., from Seattle, Wash.; the Rainier, Rainier, Oreg.; A. C. Little, mayor, Raymond, Wash.; the Raymond Commercial Club, of the same place; the Centralia Commercial Club, of Centralia, Wash.; the Astoria Chamber of Commerce, of Astoria, Oreg.; all asking that they be given an opportunity to present their views regarding the pending legislation. (The telegrams are as follows:) Hon. JAMES A. O'GORMAN, United States Senate, Washington, D. C'. SILVERTON, OREG., April 4, 1914. We protest against the repeal of the exemption clause in the Panama Canal tolls law, and urgently ask for a hearing before your committee. This matter is of vital importance to the entire Pacific coast and we believe the country at large. SILVERTON COMMERCIAL CLUB, By GEO. W. HUBBS, Secretary. Senator JAMES A. O'GORMAN, Washington, D. C.; SEATTLE, WASH., April 4, 1914. In the interest of American business and shipping, the Pacific as well as the Atlantic coast, we most sincerely urge a proper hearing before your committee against the bill repealing exemption of tolls through the Panama Canal. PERRY POLSON, President Polson Implement Co. Hon. JAS. O'GORMAN, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. SEATTLE, WASH., April 6, 1914. Considering the President's asseverations in his message to Congress that free tolls would foster a monopoly and is an economic mistake, we are justly entitled to a hearing before the Interoceanic Canal Committee. We respectfully request that the date be made at such a time as possible for Pacific coast representative to appear. WEST COAST LUMBER MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION. SOUTHBEND, WASH., April 4, 1914. JAS. O'GORMAN, Free tolls necessary to the success of our various industries. Use every effort to postpone final action until further hearing can be secured. The Pacific coast helped pay for the canal and constitutes a part of the United States. SOUTHBEND COMMERCIAL CLUB, ABERDEEN, WASH., April 4, 1914. Hon. JAS. O'GORMAN, Washington, D. C. We protest against free tolls repeal. Will work an injury to the whole country as well as Pacific coast. We petition that hearings be granted before final action injurious to Nation's welfare be taken. ABERDEEN CHAMBER OF COmmerce. SEATTLE, WASH., April 6, 1914. Hon. J. A. O'GORMAN, Chairman Interoceanic Canals Committee, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. Pacific Northwest so vitally concerned in Panama Canal tolls issue we respectfully ask that committee grant hearing to coast interests before making report on repeal measure. United States Senator O'GORMAN, Washington, D. C.; SEATTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. RAINIER, OREG., April 4, 1914. Free tolls to our coastwise vessels means lower freight rates by rail as well as water as is of vital importance to the Northwest. Can you arrange a hearing before your committee for our representative? If so will send one at once. Senator JAMES A. O'GORMAN, RAINIER COMMERCIAL CLUB, By GEO. W. VOGEL. RAYMOND, WASH., April 4, 1914. This action serious Chairman Committee Interoceanic Canals, Washington, D. C: Our citizens earnestly protest against repeal of free tolls act blow to the lumber business, our basic industry. British Columbia manufacturers have big advantage in shipping rates. The repeal of free tolls will give them our business. We urge delay until Pacific coast interests can be heard. Hon. JAMES A. O'GORMAN, United States Senate, Washington, D. C.: A. C. LITTLE, Mayor. RAYMOND, WASH., April 4, 1914. The repeal of the law exempting American vessels engaged in the coastwise trade from the payment of tolls through the Panama Canal is a very serious matter to the Pacific coast, and will greatly handicap the development of coastwise commerce between the Atlantic and Pacific, and will give to England and Canada the benefits that should rightfully come to the United States from their construction and operation of the canal. We therefore respectfully urge that you delay action on the measure until representatives of the commercial organizations of the Pacific coast have been given an opportunity to be heard by your committee. RAYMOND COMMERCIAL CLUB, By W. W. HAYS, Secretary. CENTRALIA, WASH., April 4, 1914. Hon. JAS. A. O'GORMAN, United States Senator, Washington, D. C.: If possible, kindly use your influence to procure hearing by the people on free tolls canal bill now pending. Free tolls is of vital importance to lumber and all other industries on this coast. CENTRALIA COMMERCIAL CLUB. ASTORIA, OREG., April 4, 1914. Senator O'GORMAN, United States Senate, Washington, D. C.: We respectfully urge that you endeavor to have action on repeal of canal tolls held until a hearing can be had from different sections of the country. This chamber reiterates its objection to the repeal of the measure. ASTORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The CHAIRMAN. I have also received a letter, with resolutions attached, from a committee representing the commercial, industrial, and horticultural interests of the State of Oregon. (The letter and resolutions are as follows:) Hon. JAMES A. O'GORMAN, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. PORTLAND, OREG., March 28, 1914. DEAR SIR: The undersigned, a committee representing the commercial, industrial, and horticultural interests of this State, desire to express their gratitude and obligations they are under for the firm stand taken by you in the protection of American rights in an American waterway, We value our honor quite as highly as do those who propose to concede without question to foreign nations the right to exercise a control in our domestic affairs. Free tolls are not asked in behalf of shipping interests but for the producers and consumers of this country who pay the freight. Important as this question is, not only to the producers but to the ultimate consumer, it is far more important that the rights of this country be maintained over our own waterways. We have never been impressed with the logic or reason, much less the necessity, for abandoning the policy of our Government, as evidenced by the proposed repeal of the free-toll provision of the Panama Canal act. It may be that Congress will so act, but its action in this respect will in no wise change our views as to the right of the question, and it is our firm belief that instead of settling a controversy, the subject will continue to be agitated until it is definitely determined whether the canal is to be controlled by the United States or is to be subject to the control of other nations. We take pleasure in handing you resolutions passed on yesterday at a meeting of representatives from the States of Oregon and Washington engaged in lumber and other industries, and feel assured that it is fairly representative of the sentiment of the vast majority of our people irrespective of politics. We beg leave to remain, very truly, yours, [Inclosure.] L. O. LEWIS. H. W. MITCHELL. W. M. LEOD. C. A. MALBoeuf. F. S. KNAPP, Chairman. Whereas after due deliberation Congress in prescribing rules to be observed by shipping in the use of the Panama Canal as provided in the Hay-Pauncefote treaty has enacted into law a provision exempting American shipping engaged in coastwise trade from payment of tolls for passing through the Panama Canal, which act was approved by the United States; and Whereas a bill is now pending in Congress which has for its purpose the repeal of said law so enacted; and Whereas such action is so antagonistic to the interests and national policy of this country as to justify the unalterable opposition of the citizens of the United States thereto, and believing that the action heretofore taken by Congress is in no sense a violation of the said treaty, and that the repeal of the existing law would be an admission that Great Britain and other nations of the world had the right to interfere and intervene in our purely domestic affairs: Resolved, That we reaffirm our former declaration that there be no tolls charged through the canal on vessels coastwise flying the American flag and we most earnestly request that you continue to oppose the repeal of the present law and do all in your power to maintain the same as it now stands. Resolved further, That in view of the importance of the question not only to the Pacific coast but to the American people, it is our belief that hearings should be had before the Senate Committee on Înteroceanic Canals before a measure of such farreaching consequences be acted upon, and we hereby respectfully request such hearings be granted. The CHAIRMAN. What is the pleasure of the committee? Senator THOMAS. That indicates what we must expect if we grant unlimited hearings. It means that we will be here for a number of months, because those who represent the other side of this question will also want to be heard, and of course if you open the doors at all you open the doors to everyone. I do not object to that at all, but I think we ought to limit at the outset the time that the committee is going to devote to public hearings. With reference to States, it seems to me if we hear from the representatives of one State, unless there is some peculiar reason why a certain part has an interest different from some other part of it, that ought to be sufficient. Take the State of Washington, for instance. Here are a number of applications from a large number of places, and I presume their interests are identical. Why could they not be required to select some one person as a representative to present the whole case? Senator WALSH. I was going to suggest that all of those apparently could be grouped. Senator THORNTON. I have always stood in the Senate, and always will stand, for liberty of discussion and freedom of discussion, and not only in the Senate, but in committees, in all proper cases. But I am opposed to an indiscriminate opening being given to all these cities on the Pacific coast, for this reason: Two years ago they sent here as the representative of the entire Pacific coast, Mr. Wheeler, of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Senator Jones, then a member of this committee, asked him in the presence of the committee, Are you representing the Pacific coast here in this matter?" And he said that he was speaking for all of them, and that there was no one else but him. So we must assume that to be the fact. Therefore, they had their opportunity and availed themselves of it to have their case presented and they can not present anything more now than was presented by their agent. Mr. Wheeler, for them. And, therefore, for that reason, I am opposed to opening this to practically unlimited discussion, especially as I am perfectly and entirely frank to say that, in my opinion, this is largely worked up by interested parties, in order to prolong the discussion and get a delay in this matter. Í want everything that is fair. just, and right, but we want to get through with this matter some time, and I am opposed to the Pacific coast, which sent its special representative here two years ago, when he was given all the time that he wanted, and was on the stand two and three times in rebuttal to what was said on the other side, and just as long as he chose to be heard, now having this matter reopened, and a dozen different bodies there wishing to appear before this committee. Senator PERKINS. I will say to the Senator that the Pacific coast is satisfied with the action taken by Congress. Senator THORNTON. I beg the Senator's pardon. Senator PERKINS. I say the Pacific coast is perfectly satisfied with the action which we took in Congress last year. Now we propose to reverse it. Senator THORNTON. The point I make is that the Pacific coast sent its representative here two years ago, representing every single one of these bodies, by their own admission and by his admission. Consequently, they have had their hearing and they can not present any |