The Washington times., 1914-08-24
SEEK TO RECONCILE
MARINE PROPOSALS
President and House Leaders
Confer on Plans to Provide
for Emergency of War.

As a result Of a conference held at
the White House this afternoon oy
President Wilson with members of
the Talbot subcommittee Of the
House Naval Affairs Committee, ef-
forts will be made at once to con-
solidate the various schemes proposed
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels was
present at the conference
Congressman J. Fred c. Talbot, of
Maryland. chairman OF the subcom-
mittee. called to the attention Of the
President. the fact that in addition to
Government purchase Of foreign
steamships to be operated by Gov
ernment controlled corporation. to re-
lieve the foreign trade situation caus-
ed by the war. there were before
his subcommittee three other propo-
as the Weeks plan. would direct the
Navy Department to utilize its pres
ent auxiliaries and scout cruisers in
handling. South American trade. The
would authorize the construction OF a
number of additional naval auxiliaries
to be used, in time Of peace. for the
same purpose.
The third plan, intended as a direct
substitute for the Administrators plan,
Panama Railroad Company, so that
that corporation. already controlled by
the Government, could get more ships
and engage in foreign trade Of ALL
kinds.
Favor Presidents Plan.
The scense Of the conference at It's
close seemed to favor the President g
proposition of creating a new corpora
hut
cided by the subcommittee, which, after
a conference with Chairman Alexander.
of the House Committee on Merchant
Marine and Fisheries, will meet with
the President again. 1t was, however.
practically decided that the Weeks
plan was impractical.
The President took occasion this
morning to declare that, while there
was no Intention back of his plan OF
interfering with private American en-
terpsie. the Administration intended to
push the suggestion of Government
owned ships. The President declared
he was not only willing. but desirous,
! that private capital should take up the
work of handling the foreign trade and
! buying the necessary ships, but that
, thus far private capital had shown a
disposition not to do so unless the Gov
crnment would agree to guarantee the
! bonds of any private company formed
/ for the purpose. This. the President
said, the Government would not do.
To Relieve Baltimore Congestion.
He explained that if. before the Gov
ernment line got under way. private
enterprise came to the front, the seals
on which Government ships operated
might be restricted to the development
of new trade lines. which at first might
| DO so improbable Us not to invite pri'
| yate ship concerns.
Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury
Peters today reported to the Presiden'
| that Baltimore IL practically the only
| Atlantic scaboard city where there !!
any considerable congestion remaining
in the movement OF grain exports
| Whereas now there remain in the ele
vators at New York but 100000 bushei!
| of whtat, he said, in Baltimore thu
elevators have about 100000 bushel'
on hand awaiting shipment Galveston
Is chokeG with more than II. 900, 900 bush
ols II is assHmer therefore. that on,
Of the first efforts OF the Government
| will be directed toward the relief o
the situation at Baltimore and Gal
weston.