New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-28
HOUSE HAS TWO
SHIPPING BILLS
Special Rule Making war
Risk Measure Privileged
To-day Adopted.
LFrom The TrIhune Burtau. ]

Washington, Aug. 1.-Two commit
tees Of the House will scramble Tor
preference in putting through an ad-
ministration bill for a government con
trolled steamship line TO enter the 1or-
oion trade. The Naval Affairs sub-com-
mittee agreed to-day on tentative
bill contemplating the purchase OF
thirty ships, TO be operated by the
Panama Railroad Company and another
CORPORATION TO be formed and in which
the government shall own majority
stock.
The Merchant Marine Committee has
before 10 the Alexander bill, introduced
With the approval Of the President
proposing the creation Of sl0,OOO'oOO
corporation, directed by a United
States shipping board.
The Naval Affairs Committee bill IS
offered as substitute for the Weeks
measure, which passed the Senate and
contemplated the use OF naval auMH-
aries for mail, passenger and freight
carrying purposes.
Al the first meeting it has held IN
two months the House Rules Commit
tee to-day reported special rule to
make privileged the administration
bin for the creation of the bureau OF
war risk insurance in the Treasury
Department. The Democrats Of the
committee again lodged a vote on the
suffrage and prohibition issues, fear OF
which has kept the committee inactive
since June.
The Democrats of the committee also
voted TO make privileged the Jones
Philippine independence bill, but rule
10 call up this measure probably VIII
not be presented for several weeks
The rule forcing through TO passage
the war risk bill. which has been ap-
proved by the Senate, viii be called up
tomorrow.
Both woman suffrage and prohibi-
ton are now regarded as dead Tor the
remainder Of the session.
"The civilization Of the world DC
pends on the attitude which the United
States takes i'm the present contest,
said Representative Mann, the minority
leader, in closing the debate IN the
House to-day on the seaman's bill
which brought up incidentally the
European war situation.
The House passed the merchant
marine committees substitute for the
Ia Toilette seamau's bill. Representa-
tive Humphrey, a Washington Republl-
can. predicted that if the bill Is
enacted and enforced I'M its present
form we will have war with Japan
within short time
Among the provisions OF the substl-
tute are those requiring vessels en-
gagged i'm American commerce and using
American ports 20 furnish 100 cubic
feet Of pace for each seaman or ap-
prentice. no unnecessary work for sea
men while IN harbor on the Sabbath or
legal holidays, and the payment TO any
seaman OF one-half OF the wages due
him on arrival at any port. The bill
also abolishes corporal punishment
abroad ships and prohibit imprlson-
ment as penalty FOR deaertlon.
Representative Mann, intimating that
foreign complications may ensue be-
cause of these provisions. said:
There is one thing i'm this bill which
regret has to be in it. at the present
time. That is the requirement that
this nation shall cancel or give notice
Of the end of its treaties relating 10
foreign ships at our shores. The one
thing that concerns me more than all
the rest to-day is the desire TO keep
the United States at peace with the
world. fear that nations abroad. who
look askauce on the growth Of business
i'm this country at the expense OF for
eipn countries will think this bill IS
PASSED now with this provision IN 1t
because we think they are not able to
protect themselves.
III We keep our heads, If We keep
non-partisan in the war that rs gong
ON. the prosperity of the world largely
will fall into our laps.