Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-25
FRIENDS OF SHIP SUBSIDY LEG.
lsLATloN ARE VERY
HOPEFUL.
HOUSE is CONSIDERED
GREATEST OBSTACLE
Campaign of Education is Expected to
Work Wonders, Especially in the
Middle West-Who Pays the Fiddler
is a Mystery-cannon Friendly to
the Measure.
Especial CORRESPONDENCE !

Especial Correspondence
Washington. Aug. 25.-An extremely
hopeful view of the situation for next
winter with respect to the enactment
of ship subsidy legislation is taken by
the advocates of that legislation. They
think that the ways are at last nearly
clear for giving government aid to the
merchant marine and that the coming
regular session will give them the vic
tory for which they have for years been
fighting.
They do not expect subsidy legisla-
non of as broad scope as they would
like to have but they do profess a feel
ing of confidence that the time is near
for the entering wedge to be driven.
1t may be possible to get no more than
mail subventions for certain lines, but
it appears that strong efforts will be
put forth to secure something more
than this.
House the Stumbling Block.
Representative Dwight. the republi-
can house whip, has been looking over
the lay of the land and he has given it
out that the situation is promising.
He thinks that by the time congress
opens the prospects for subsidy leg
islation will be good. AS is well known,
the sticking point is in the house. If
that body can be induced to pass a
subsidy or subvention bill of any SORT.
1t Will doubtless go thru the senate.
This situation makes it possible for
the forces which are promoting the
cause of ship subsidy to make an ef-
fective campaign. The margin of con-
troll of the house on this question has
In recent years always been narrow.
The successive subsidy bills have been
beaten only by close vote. The con-
version of a small number of repub-
Ilicans in the agricultural districts will
be sufficient to swing the house over
to subsidy legislation. Therefore. the
strategy of the promoters of the sub
sidy cause is to make a campaign in
the agricultural districts of the middle
west and this they announced some
months ago they would do
To Educate the People.
educational campaign. as 1T Is called,
been pressed vigorously thus far but
that it is the purpose to keep it UP
right along until the house votes on a
subsidy bill. Nothing will be left un-
done that can be accomplished by the
use of trained speakers and the circu-
lation of literature. Consular reports
! TEEN with accounts of what other
countries are doing in the way Of sub
sides and if the consuls have not been
actually instructed to send in all the
data in favor of ship subsidy on which
they can lay their hands, it is at least
true they are furnishing a great deal
of such data
Whence the Money!
One of the mysteries of the situation
is the question of where all the money
is coming from to finance the speaking
and publicity campaign which is being
made by the advocates Of the ship sub
sidy. 1t is apparent that a great deal
is being spent. Various former mem
bers of congress have been giving adj
dresses about the country, in states
from which votes are needed, and it
can not be supposed they are out for
their health or are moved to activity
by high and sublimated patriotism. II
is not said that the funds for promo
ton of the cause are not legitimate
enough in every sense. But it is true
that the persistencv and extent Of the
campaign for subsidy benefits has
tended to make frequent in congress
circles. the interrogatory Where is the
money coming from ?" The inevitable
conclusion of many members is that
I shipping interests, which hope to ben
eft by the subsidy. are now paying the
4 fiddler and that If the benefits were not
! expected to be large a campaign on the
scale on which 1t is being and has been
made would not be possible. It is a
question. therefore, If the spectacle OF
a great and expensive campaign in be-
| half of the legislation sought is moi
calculated to do harm in some quarters
I to the very cause 1t is seeking to assist
Cannon to Boost.
That the united force Of the senate
and house organization, backed by
President Taft, will be thrown the
coming winter to the support Of shir
subsidy legislation is assured. Speaker
Cannon will do all he can to get legis-
lation.
If the bin reported to the house
takes the form of ocean mail subsidy
pure and simple, it will come from the
committee on postoffices and post
roads of which Representative Weeks
lis chairman. Otherwise, 1T will come
from the committee on merchant mar
inc and fisheries. The committee on
merchant marine and fisheries, as i,
has lately been made up by the speak
err. is undoubtedly friendly to ship
subsidy legislation. It is headed by
Representative Greene Of Massachu-
sets and the rest Of the membership
consists of Humphrey of Washington
Wilson of Illinois, Henry Of Connect
cut, Fairchild Of New York, Fouikrod
of Pennsylvania, Sturgiss of West vir-
ginia. swasey Of Maine, Barchfeld %
Pennsylvania. Mckinley Of California
Simmons Of New York and Kronmil.
Her OF Maryland, republicans, and
Spight of Mississippi, Goulden of New
Il York. Maynard of Virginia, Clark Of
Florida, Alexander of Missouri, Hardy
of Texas, and Hobson Of Alabama
democrats.
Committee Favors Bill.
This makes the committee strong fol
subsidy legislation. About the only re.
publican on the committee against 4