Evening star., 1914-08-19
US. TOBUYSH|P
TOA|DCOMMERCE
President. Approves Plan for
Placing Foodstuffs in the
Foreign Markets.
IN NEED OF $25,0 ,000,0 900
TO FINANCE THE PROJECT
Congress to Be Asked for Appropria.
tion-Discussion of Means to
Benefit Merchant Marine.

President Wilson today approved a plan
to have the government buy number
Of ships to be used in taking the Ameri-
can foodstuffs abroad.
1t was tentatively agreed upon that an
appropriation Of $4,000. 900 would be ask
ed Of Congress for the purchase Of ships.
The question OF how many ships will
be bought by the government Is expected
to be left open until 1t is known how
many ships now under foreign nag take
advantage Of the new law extending reg
istry.
How to provide s25, ,o0o. 900 for the pur-
chase of the ships has not been fully de-
termined. The decision to buy the ves-
sels may force the war tax plans to early
completion. Several millions Of Panama
canal bonds are available.
1.-The President conferred with Senate
and House leaders on the question Of de-
velopfng and safeguarding the American
merchant marine and the purchase OF
ships, and passage of bill under which
the government will undertake the in
surance OF war risks were agreed upon.
Bills carrying out these plans were pre-
pared for presentation In both houses Of
Congress Immediately.
Emergency Bill Before Congress.
The emergency bill to authorize the
insurance in the Treasury Department
was introduced in both the Senate and
the House this afternoon.
1t was introduced in the Senate by
Senator Clarke of Arkansas and referred
to the committee on commerce, of which
he is chairman.
1t was introduced in the House by
Representative Alexander of Missouri.
chairman OF the House merchant marine
committee. and was at once referred to
that committee. Chairman Alexander
said that the committee will meet to-
morrow, and that efforts will at once
be made to have the measure passed
promptly by the House when reported.
The bill would authorize the insurance
of American cargoes or vessels whenever
the owners are unable to secure adequate
protection, equal to the insurance grant
ed foreign ships by countries dealing In
war insurance.
The measure appropriates IS 1000 to
pay insurance losses and $4,000 for ad-
ministrative expenses. It was agreed on
at White House conference attended by
Representatives Underwood and Alex
and approved by the committee of busi-
ness men summoned to Washington last
week to confer as to emergencies aris-
ing out of the European war.
Statement Issued.
After the conference Secretary Tum-
ulty gave out this statement:
"The conference was about the de-
velopment and safeguarding Of the mer-
chant marine and every aspect Of the
question was gone over. It was recog-
nized that the present emergency called
for prompt action to relieve a situation
g. t.
ly taken. It was agreed that q bill
should be introduced in Congress provid-
ing for the insurance Of war risks by the
government.
"In addition to the agreement of opin-
ion as to the insurance bill. there was
an extensive discussion OF the best means
for Immediately providing ships to carry
the goods now waiting for the markets.
were tr.t S and #
drawn and introduced at very early
date which should provide for the pur-
chase OF an adequate number OF ships
through corporation controlled by the
government, as in the case of the Panama
Railroad Company. which now operates
ships as well as the railroad itself. and
which is controlled by the government"
Participants In the Conference.
In addition to the President those at
Senator Simmons. chairman Of the SEN
ate finance committee; Representative
Underwood. chairman of the House ways
and means committee, and Representa-
tive Alexander. chairman of the House
committee on merchant marine and fish
cries.
A draft OF the bill to provide for gov
ernment insurance of American hulls
engaged in foreign trade and their
cargoes was laid today before the COM
mittee of experts. appointed last week
by the conference of banking. insur-
ance and shipping men called by Sec
retary McAdoo Of the Treasury De-
partment to discuss commercial emer-
gencies presented by the European
war.
The committee resumed its session
prepared to pass upon the measure,
which will be presented in both houses
of Congress when approved, and ef-
forts will be made to rush 1t through.
Reports Under Three Heads.
Subcofnmittees were ready with their
reports when the conference commit
tee met. These included the three
general heads into which the confer
anca dividSd fhe work a1lAfed fo fhe