The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-04
FAVORABLE REPORT
ON SHIP SUBSIDY
Hearing Before Adoption Is
One of Warm Argument.
DEMOCRATS WILL FIGHT.
Champ Clarke and Future Course
of Action VIII Be Mapped
Out.

Washington, February 3.-After a
short but torrid open hearing, replete
with personal disputes and acrimonious
utterances, followed by an executive
session of an hour also filed with dis
sension, the House committee on mer-
chant marine and fisheries today by
vote of 10 to voted to report favor
ably to the House the administration
bill on ship subsidy as introduced by
Representative Humphrey of Washing
ton.
Ten republicans voted in favor of
the bill and five democrats and two
republicans voted against it. The two
"bolting" republicans were Wilson of
Illinois and Swasey of Maine. Repre-
sentative Hobson of Alabama reported
to be for the bill and Maynard of Vir,
ginia, against it, both democrats, were
absent.
The democratic members of the COM
mittees were greatly wrought up over
what they characterized the railroad
ing" of the measure without consider
alton or opportunity to amend it and
tonight they held a meeting in the
room of Representative Champ Clark.
the minority leader, to map out the
future party course against the bill.
1t is expected that the measure will
meet with most stubborn opposition
when 1t reaches the House.
Representative Spight of Mississippi
ranking democratic member of the
committee, will file a minority report
against the bill. Mr.. Spight declares
with vigor that Representative Humph-
reg and his republican associates In
rushing the ship subsidy bill through
the committee today had broken faith
with the democrats and had taken un-
warranted action.
Mr.. Spight said Chairman Green of
the committee had assured him only
yesterday that no vote would be taken
at the meeting today and that the
minority and those opposed to ship sub
sidy would be given an ample oppor-
tunity to be heard before final vote
was taken.
Made No Promise.
Mr.. Green informed Mr.. Spight after
the meeting that he did not make any
promise for Mr.. Humphrey and could
not prevent the latter bringing his bill
to vote.
Mr.. Humphrey declared that ample
consideration had been given to the
bill and IL it were delayed long that
measure to take Its place would be
reported in the Senate. In reply to
this the democrats stated that the bill
had been given no consideration by
anybody and that 1t had not even been
read over in committee.
Today's hearing was the first given
on the subject and the opposition to
the bill pointed out that those heard
today were In favor of ship subsidy
but were opposed to parts of the House
appropriation bill. The democrats de-
sired to OFFER several amendments and
Representatives Sulzer. Clark of Flor
Ida and Kustermann had notified the
committee that they desired hearings
on their own ship subsidy bills. The
action today was surprise to them
as well as to the minority of the COM
mittee,
THE action of the republicans today
Is an outrage" declared Representative
Alexander of the committee, who op-
posed the bill. I'VE were given mo
chance to consider the bill or to be
heard upon ii. In the face of direct
promises they have railroaded' the bill
through. 1t is an insult to the minor
ity Of the committee, to the House IT
self and to the country at large.
Much Feeling shown.
The executive session of the committee
was characterized by tense feeling The
democrats endeavored to secure an ad-
journment and to amend the bill but were
voted down. An amendment was offered
striking out the subsidy sections of the
bill. but it, was lost.
In answer to the impassioned ap-
peals of the democrats, Representative
Humphrey turned a deaf ear answering
that immediate action on the bill was
imperative. When the final vote was
taken It was shown that Representative
Humphrey had figured correctly on safe
majority for his measure.
The open hearing given today to the
Merchants association of New York re-
suited in hot row between Mr. Humph-
rey and Attorney James II. Dougherty,
representing the association, Immediately
following which Mr.. Humphrey moved
that the committee go into executive ses-
sion and consider the bill without hear
ing further evidence.
The vote was taken after very stormy
session.
When 1t was learned that Mr.. Humph-
rey intended to have vote today Rep
resentative Alexander exclaimed, 81 OBJ
ject against this railroading."
Mr.. Humphrey said, IT have given two
days to the opposition. have other mat
tiers pressing and I want vote"
"You have not given anything" was the
angry rotor of Representative Wilson,
I'VE demand hearing on this BILL"
Legislative Session.
Shortly afterwards, however, the COM
mttee went into enforced legislative ses-
sion. Early in the hearing Attorney
James Dougherty of New York, repre-
senting the Merchants association of
New York. impugned the sincerity of Mr..
Humphrey.
you can't fool me- retorted Mr..
| Humphrey. you are here pretending to
! be in the interest of the American ships
but you are really for the foreign ships"
| IT would demand withdrawal of that
statement II were not appearing for the
congressional committee" retorted the
American attorney.
1.-THE remark will not be withdrawn
answered Mr. Humphrey,
Amid loud calls for order, Mr.. Dough-
erty, facing the Washington member,
angrily shouted: IT don't believe you are
| In earnest in yIur apparent desire to
close the door against foreign ships in
this mail subsidy. Your bill is not strong
enough. II you're sincere. why are you
II