Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-28
A nEAurlEuL PROSPECT.

The fate OF the ship subsidy bill in the
house OF representatives is doubtful. but
the chances for the success Of that grab
seem to be growing small by degrees and
beautifully less"
The prevalent opinion in Washington
among wal-posted newspaper correspon-
dents is that the bill cannot pass at this
session.
Il viii be remembered that a coterie OF
very influential Republican senators voted
against this measure In spite OF the dec
laration or their party platform and the
active support OF the administration. The
six senator's from Iowa, Wisconsin and
Vermont made bold TO stand squarely
against their party on the measure and 1t
Is stated that the representatives from
those states are solidly against It.
Mr.. Hepburn. OF Iowa, chairman Of the
committee on interstate and foreign COM
merce, one OF the oldest and most exPe-
rienced OF the Republican leaders of the
house. in a recent statement said:
IT would not oppose a bill which would
tend TO build up the coastwise freight
service In America But any measure
like the bill which came from the senate
providing for a subsidized fast service,
seems 20 me 10 be class legislation, and
largely for the benefit OF only a few"
Mr. Corliss OF Michigan, another promi-
nent Republican member. comes out even
more emphatically and declares himself
opposed 20 the senate bill ION general
principles" Several other Republican
congressman from Michigan used the
same language In defining their positions.
Mr.. Crumpacker. OF Indiana, author Of
the notorious bill to cut down the repre-
sentation OF the south in congress, throws
down the gauntlet 10 the Hanna-Payne-
Frye combination and says that he Is
against the ship subsidy bill. always has
been and probably Will be for all time to
come
Mr.. Cousins. OF Iowa, asserts that the
people OF Iowa and the west generally are
Overwhelmingly against the ship subsidy
scheme and adds:
Senators Allison and Deliver voiced the
sentiments Of the people Of Iowa when
they voted against the ship subsidy bill
I VIII follow the leadership OF our two
senator's and vote against the bin"
Mr.. Loud: OF California, says that
while he is In favor Of subsidies Of the
proper character, he is free TO say that
he viii not vote for this bill as it stands.
Mr.. Mann. of Illinois. when asked how
he stood on the measure. said:
II don't care to commit myself on the
bin before II is even considered in COM
mittee, but / have no hesitation in saying
that It only appeals to a few interested
persons"
These are all Republican congressman
OF high standing and there are many 9TH
ers who are either known to be opposed TO
the ship subsidy scheme or strongly in
clined TO vote against II.
The chances OF the scheme have been
damaged no little by the defiance Of party
discipline by almost half of the Republic
can membership of the house. The Re-
publican party whip is not feared in that
body as IT once was and there are those
who would have obeyed its crack IN
questioningly a short time ago who will
not fear TO vote their convictions now.
The ship subsidy bill has a hard road to
travel in the house.
Georgia enjoys the honor OF having
placed in the senate the man who has
dealt this fraud the most staggering blow
IL has yet received in debate, the Hon
Alexander Stephens Clay.