New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
Senator'S Oppose Buying
and Registering For
eign Vessels.
PASS AMENDMENT TO
HELP PACIFIC COAST
Would Authorize President 10
Permit Alien Craft to Use i
Panama Canal.
fFron The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Aug. s.-Persistent o..
forts on the part Of some OF the Demo.
cratic leaders 20 put through the Sen
ate the bill amending the navigation
laws to encourage the purchase and
registry Of foreign ships under Amer
can flag failed to-day for lack Of a
quorum.
Opposition 20 and dissatisfaction
with the proposed emergency measure
broke out again on both sides Of the
chamber. but narrow majority
blocked all attempts 20 amend n
measure. with one exception. Tn
amendment offered by Senator Jons (
for affording relief 20 the shippers
the Pacific Coast. who are eonfronte
with a lack Of transportation faeilitei,
was carried. This would authorize IN.
President TO permit ships OF foreig
registry to engage IN tTsihc between
ports on the Atlantic and Pacte coast
through the Panama Canal
Efforts 10 add 70 the strength OF the
American merchant marine and 10 ssie-
ouard the United States against for
eior COMPLICATIONS by stringent re.
auirements regarding the ownership OF
foreign vessels 10 be admitted 70
American registry failed. Senator Gal.
fingers amendment requiring bond OF
$40 a net registered ton as A guaranty,
that the foreign vessels admitted uns'
der the act remain under American
register for at least five years was de-
feated. Senator Saulsbury's amend
ment to require that 80 per cent OF for
eign vessels so entered be owned by
citizens of the United States or cor
porations i'm the United States was
likewise rejected.
The rejection Of this amendment re-
suited in the blocking Of the bill. The
Senate did not begin voting until at the
close of a prolonged and futile debate,
and less than half the Senators were IN
their seats. After the bill was brought
into the Senate from committee OF the
whole Senator Salisbury offered his
amendment for second time, and when
his demand for a rollcall was rejected
Senator Pomerene made a point OF no
quorum. There were ten less than a
majority present. and, abandoning hope
of securing a sufficient number OF abb
sentees to transact business, the SEN
ate. tired. demoralized and in an irri-
table mood. gave up the task. IL is
probable the bill will be passed on
Tuesday.
Misgivings were expressed to-day
that the pending measure VIII reHefe
the shipping crisis that confronts the
United States. Senator Newlands pro-
posed that S30,000,0O0 be appropriated
to be expended by the Secretary Of tae
Navy for the purchase Of naval au1il-
larry vessels, which might be used for
commercial purposes, but his proposal
was rejected.
Senator Weeks introduced bill for
the establishment of a joint Congress
sionai commission consisting Of siN'
Representatives and six Senator'S to re-1
wise the laws relating to shipping. 70!
was referred TO the Commerce Com
mittee.
Secretary Redfeld sent to the SEN
ate. i'm response TO resolution offered
BY Senator Gallinger, a report on
coastwise vessels available for oversees
trade. This indicates that there are
number of vessels that may be used
for the ocean carrying trade, but they
are either of small tonnage or are not
equipped with sufficient bunker caps-
city for long journey.