Coastwise Shipping Ruling.

New York Times 100 years ago today, November 23, 1912:
Canal Zone Cargoes May Be Carried in Foreign Bottoms.
    WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.— The Interstate Commerce Commission to-day announced its withdrawal of a recent administrative ruling that shipments to Porto Rico, the Canal Zone, and the Philippines came within the definition of coastwise commerce. Enforcement of the ruling would have barred foreign ships from carrying American goods to these territories.
    "On Nov. 11, 1912, the commission voted that shipments destined from points in the United States to Porto Rico, the Canal Zone, or the Philippine Islands were coastwise, and not export, shipments," said the announcement. "Upon presentation of further information and for the purpose of further consideration of the subject, that ruling is hereby rescinded."
    An effort was made by the commission so to modify the ruling as to make inapplicable to commerce between the United States and the Canal Zone, but finally it was found necessary absolutely to rescind it, in order to prevent delay in the canal work.