Evening star., 1914-08-22
Its Consideration Is. Blocked
by Representative Mann,
the Republican Leader.
FEAR OF COMPLICATIONS
IS BASIS OF OBJECTION
Senate Committee at Work on Meas
ure Authorizing Purchase Of
Ocean-Going Ships.

Instead of being rushed through the
House today, the administration bill
to establish a war risk insurance bu-
reau in the Treasury Department met
with a setback the minute Chairman
Adamson Of the committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce asked to
take the Senate bill from the Speakers s
table and pass it.
Representative Mann of Illinois, lead
er Of the republican side. made objec-
ton, which blocked consideration OF
the measure at the time.
There was an immediate getting to-
gether of the leaders on the democratic
side, and rumors that a special rule
would be brought in to make the war
risk bill privileged began to float about.
The rules committee, however, has
been lying low for weeks past. be-
cause of the threat to force the liquor
question upon it's attention. if it ever
finds itself with a quorum.
If the war risk bill had been dis
cussed in the House it might have been
passed today, and it may yet go
through. The bill has already been
passed by the Senate. The opposition
to the bill in the House declares the
measure may involve the United States
in serious international difficulties.
Purpose of the Legislation.
Creation of a government bureau of
war risk for vessels of American regis
try during the European war IS de-
signed to strengthen the measure al
ready passed. extending American regis
try to foreign-owned vessels which
meet certain conditions. The measure,
which was passed by the Senate with
slight changes, carries an appropriation
Of S5,0O0, 900 to insure American vessels
and cargoes against risks of war. It
was believed that no serious op position to
the bill would be encountered in the
House
Purchase Of ocean-Going Ships.
While anticipating considerable opposi-
tion to the bill in preparation to provide
for government purchase of ocean-going
ships, members of the Senate committee
on commerce today predicted that the
bill would be perfected and passed in
the Senate next week.
Senator Simmons of North Carolina
and Senator Chamberlain Of Oregon
are urging expedition Of the bill.
Senator Clarke. chairman Of the COM
mittee, continues at work on the bill
preparing it for Introduction in the Sem
ate, where 1t will be referred to the COM
merce committee.
The Senate committee plans to work
independently of the House, and to
hasten action on the measure as rapidly
as possible.
Views Of Senators.
Senators who discussed the hfl1 with
the President said that he appeared to
be very strongly in favor of its passage.
Senator Simmons said he was in favor
ernment should be In a position to give
producers If it was found that private
capital was not prepared to do so.
There will be strong opposition to the
bill by some Of the senator's" said Sena-
tor Chamberlain. There are a number
ownership in any form. 1t is being urged
now by opponents Of this bill that for
the government to operate a line of
ships would be to discourage private
capital from going into the Transports
ton business. That same kind of argu-
ment was made against the parcel post
law and against the postal savings law.
But 1t has been shown that it was a
wrong idea, and that the postal savings
law has in reality helped private bank
ing, as feeder to 1t. 1 see no reason
why the government should not operate
ocean-going vessels"
Creation Of Corporation in View.
The plan is for the creation of q
corporation capitalized at $10.000.000
or more, as may be necessary. the gov
ernment to hold 81 per cent of the
stock and the remainder to be open
to public subscription. The govern
ment's capital would be raised by use
Of Treasury funds. and. II necessary.
by an issue Of Panama canal bonds up
to $3O.000.000.
That is q feasible method Of financing
the project. according to Representa-
tive Alexander. as. the Panama canal
owes the treasury $1b0.000.000. He said
the idea was that II the public failed
to subscribe the 49 per cent the gov
ernment would go ahead with the
project anyway.
that there will be ample private capi-
tai to meet the situation. Definite ac-
tion on the proposal is not looked for
before next week.
The measure will meet strong opposi-
ton in the Senate. 1t Is said There is
a feeling that government-owned ships
will seriously check efforts Of private
citizens to enter or continue in the ship
ping business. Senators have been in
formed that the private shipping concerns
feel that once the government has begun
on such a course, there Is no telling
where 1t will stop.
While the government might appro-
pirate only $25, ,000, 900 this year to be used
in the purchase and operation of gov
ernment-owne ships. next year it might
put 500, ,0O0.0O0 or 800, 100000 in such a
project. Private lines would be paral-
leled. and business seriously impaired, It
Is said.
Leading Democrats Object.
The opposition is not by any means
confined to republicans in the Senate.