The San Francisco call., 1907-01-16
SHIP SUBSIDY BILL
GAINS SUPPORT
House Committee Votes to
Make Favorable Report
on Littauer's Measure
AIDS PACIFIC COAST

WASHINGTON. Jan. l5.-After a
fight that lasted all day and extended
to the floor OF the House, threatening
TO bring about much filibustering at
one time, the House committee on Mer-
chant marine and fisheries finally de-
cided at 6 O'Clock p. m. by a vote of s
to Z TO make favorable report on a
ship subsidy bin prepared by Repre-
sentative Littauer of New York as 4
substitute for the Grosvenor bill, which
has been under consideration for many
weeks.
The members Of the committee sup
porting the measure were Representa-
tlves GrOsvenor, Littlefeld, Miner,
Fordney, Wachter, Humphrey. Watson
and Littauer. all Republicans. The
negative votes were cast by Represen-
tatives Birdsall. Wilson and Hinshaw,
Republicans, and Gould. Maynard. Shir-
ley and Patterson, Democrats.
Seven subsidized mail lines are pro-
vided for with an additional subven-
tion estimated at $3,7O0,O0O. Two of
the lines are to be from the Atlantic
Coast TO South America and one from
the gulf Of Mexico 10 Colon. From the
Pacific Coast there are TO be three lines
TO the Orient and one line to the west
coast Of South America.
Only two changes We're made in the
bill as originally drawn by LittaueI
Instead Of actually fixing San Francisco
and Puget Sound as the points of
departure OF the two lines to Japan.
China and the Philippines. the commit
tee amended Littauer's bill so that the
one is to start from a point north of
. Cape MendOcinO and the other from a
point south Of Cape Mendicino.
SENATE BILL DEFEATED
At the morning session the Senate
ship subsidy bill. which carries a ton
mage subsidy and is said to be ex-
tremely distasteful to Speaker Cannon,
was laid before the committee by Lit
tauer, and several Democrats voted for
il. Republicans changed their votes in
order 10 defeat it and gave a compro-
mise bill consideration, which fl was
thought would have a better chance
with Republican House leaders.
The committee adjourned to meet
again at 4 o'clock, and when a motion
was made TO have the House adjourn
at that time the Democrats began a fill
buster in an attempt to keep the House
in session. thus preventing the mer-
chant marine and fisheries committee
from meeting and reaching an agree
ment The minority leader. Williams,
demanded a yea and nay vote on the
adjournment vote, but a count showed
that a quorum was not present and the
House adjourned by vote of 143 to II.
The substitute prepared by Littauer
and which was amended by the COM
mitee, as noted above provides for a
naval reserve feet along the lines of
the Senate subsidy bill. It amends the
act Of 1891 by specifically providing for
seven routes, as follows:
One from the Atlantic Coast of the
United States TO Rio de Janeiro, one
from the Atlantic Coast to Buenos
Ayres; one from gulf port to Colon;
one from Puget Sound to Chile; two
lines to. the Orient, one direct from
Puget Sound and the others from san
Francisco by way of Hawaii, and final
" an addition to the oceanic line from
San Francisco TO Australia.
FOR USE IN WAR
The bill requires that all ships be Of
sixteen knots speed except that from
the Gulf of Panama, which are to be
fourteen knots. 1t requires that the
ships be built in America and owned
by Americans and repaired in American
drydoclzs; that they shall be avail
able as auxiliary cruisers in time Of
war To meet the requirements OF
the bin about thirty-hve ships would
be required, and most Of these would
have to be built. The annual cost to
the Government, with all OF the ships
in operation on two weeks service
basis. is estimated at $3.50, OOO Prior
TO the complexion OF lue Silps d lOui'
weeks service is provided. It would
require several years TO build the
ships.
In detail. with the fortnightly ser
vice. the line to Rio would receive
/ $500 600 annually; TO Buenos Ayres,
/ $500 600: the west coast line. 5000, 600 I;
the two Oriental lines, 100000 each;
the Colon line. $4,000; the Australian
line, s2OO,O 600 in addition to the $780, 900
now received.