The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-03-20
-STEENERSON'S
GLOVE IS NOT
YET PICKED UP
Charges That Interests Are
Behind Hurnphrey-Taft
Ship Subsidy Bill.
MINNESOTA REPUBLICAN MEM
Der WILL VOTE AGAINST BILL
BECAUSE He SEES A BIG PIECE
OF CLASS LEGISLATION STICK
ING OUT IN THE MEASURE.
By Clyde n, Tavenner.

BY Clyde n. Tavenner.
Washington, March 19.-No ATTEMPT
has been made as yet to answer the
charges made by Rep. Halvor Steen-
erson of Minnesota (Republican) to
the effect that the interests behind the
Humphrey-Taft ship subsidy bill have
attempted to 'intimidate, terrify and
influence" him into abandoning his op-
position to that measure.
Believing that the payment of So
100000 annually from the treasury to
private ship owners, as provided for
in the Humphrey-Taft bill, constitutes
class legislation of the most vicious
type, Stevenson intends voting against
the bill. as do other Republicans as
well as nearly every Democratic mem
Der of the house. Because of this at
titude toward the pending BILL Steen-
erson has been attacked by the Mer-
chant Marine League of the United
States and other interests behind the
ship subsidy bill, the hirelings Of
which organization have endeavored
to create the impression that Steener-
son and all others, including the news,
papers. opposed to the Humphrey bill
are in the employ Of foreign shipoWn-
ers Vast sums of money have been
spent to carry on the Matchmaking
campaign. Millions of letters have
been written by these agencies to dis
credit opponents of the subsidy graft
Stevenson introduced a resolution
providing for a congressional inVest-
cation of what he declared was a CON
spiracy'' on the part of the interests
which would profit by the passage of
the proposed legislation to 'unduly
and improperly" influence members of
congress. This resolution was referred
to the committee on the judiciary, and
is now in the hands of a subcommittee
consisting of John A. Sterling of Hi
nois, (Rep); George R. Malby. of New
York (Rep.) and William G.. Brantley,
of Georgia (Dem.).
Investigation Demanded.
| Whether the majority of the SUBJ
committee will permit an investigation
| (the two Republicans can probably
prevent an investigation by recon-
mending against it) can not be fore
told. Stevenson and Rep. kuster-
mann OF Wisconsin, who has also been
attacked because of opposition to
shipping subsidies, have appeared be-
! fore the subcommittee and have OF
fered specific information in substan-
! tiation of the charge made in the
! Stevenson resolution that the Mer-
chant Marine League is raising money
from interested parties and trying to
influence, and itimidate members OF
congress to vote for the general ship
subsidy grab.
| Mr.. STEVENSON demanded the ap
pointment of a committee of seven
members to determine:
UVhnfbnr nnnSnir9nU nSiStS Tor the
purpose of promoting legislation in
congress and unduly influencing mem
bers of congress.
What funds have been raised fol
the purpose of promoting Legislation
in congress and unduly influencing
members of congress.
What funds have been raised for pc
litical agitation and for payment II
political organizations.
What funds have been used to in
fluence newspapers or create pubic
sentiment in behalf of subsidy legisla
ton.
Whether threats of libelous or scan
dalous articles or other intimidationi
have been used against members o
congress
Whether improper means have beer
used either to promote or defeat SUB
sidy legislation.
OF the thousands upon thousands
letters that have been sent out iron
the headquarters of the Merchant Ma
rine League at Cleveland, O., attack
ing members of congress and anyon
and everyone opposing the subsid
graft, nearly all of the missives wer'
signed by John A. Penton, as secre
tary Of the organization.
At enormous expense the MeTchan
Marine League maintains an army O
employees and subscribes to nearl
every newspaper in the United States
whether of large or small circulation
The clerks 60 over every newspape
and upon the appearance of an edltC
rial or news article that is in tn
slightest degree hostile TO shippin
subsidies, proceed to write letters t
200 or 800 readers of the newspaper
in which they intimate the editor mus
be receiving pay from foreign shippin
interests"
The Chicago Tribune, upon receiV
ing one of the threatening letter;
printed the document, preceding
with the following reference to PEI
ton. who had signed it:
. The following Letter is from a Uria
Heep, who makes a living scOOping tn
crumbs from the tables OF the ric
men in Cleveland. while he dusts thei
shoes with his other hand.
SO far as the letter which We put
lish is concerned, We must add him I
the increasing number of seif-seekin