The Washington herald., 1914-08-03
u. S. TO UPDUILD
/ MERCHANT FLEET
Leaders in Congress Agree
that Now Is Time to
Enact Laws.
URGENT CRISIS AT HOME
Danger Of Tieing Up Cotton and Grain
Crops Spurs Three Parties to
Urge Removal of Cause.
URGENT CRISIS AT HOME

Leaders Of the three parties IN Con-
gress agree that the tremendous losses
that threaten American commerce as a
result of the prospective withdrawal Of
foreign ships from the ocean traffic as
an Incident Of the European war will
force the enactment OF laws for the up
building OF an American merchant ma
rine adequate TO meet just such an
emergency as is now presented. Re-
ports received In Washington indicate
that the farmers OF the West and the
cotton planters of the South are panic
stricken over the thought that bottoms
may not be provided to transfer their
harvested crops to foreign markets.
The absence Of ships to carry food
stuffs and other exports across the seas
at a time when there is a demand for
them puts the United States in the hu-
initiating position, according to leaders
In Congress. of having lacked the fore
sight to provide a means Of taking care
of this trade In the event OF the failure
at any time OF foreign MERCHANTMEN TO
respond to its needs.
VIII BE Political Issue.
The opinion is quite generally expressed
that the upbuilding OF the American
merchant marine will shortly become q
political issue OF paramount Importance.
On this question the Republican and
Democratic parties will divide as they
have in the past. While there is no
disposition on In any quarter to play
politics at this juncture, keen disappoint-
ment Is expressed that the upbuilding OF
the merchant marine should have been
prevented in the past as a result of DIFF
ferences between the parties over the
methods to be applied.
1t Is regarded as highly probable that
steps may be taken at once looking to
the enactment OF laws dealing with the
shipping question in a permanent way.
A measure designed to AFFORD temporary
relief will be offered by Representative
Underwood. the Democratic leader. re-
moving a number OF obstacles now i'm
foreign-built ships 10 American registry.
This bill will provide for the repeal of the
provision that foreign vessels not more
than five years old may be given Ameri-
can registry; II will also empower the
President to waive the requirement that
foreign-buIIt ships that fly the American
flag shall be oficered and manned by
Americans.
The President also will be authorized to
suspend the provisions Of law imposing
government survey. inspection, and
measurement on foreign-built ships ap-
plying for American registry. Doubt is
expressed that this measure will afford
any substantial relief. owing to the ability
OF European nations to commander mer-
chantmen that sail under their respective
flags.
While all plans had been made for an
adjournment of Congress upon the pass
age OF the trust bills. n is the opinion Of
some that the session should be prolonged
for the purpose Of passing laws to create
an American merchant marine. This is
the time to act, according to these lead
ers.
Senators representing the cotton-pro-
ducing States in the South have decided |
70 hold a meeting today or tonight to |
try to And a way to prevent the Interrupt
ton by the European crisis Of the ex- |
portation of cotton to Europe. Senator |
Hoke Smith was a prime mover in the |
matter.