Evening star., 1914-08-21
WAR RISK MEASURE
PASSES IN SENATE
Insurance for American Ships
and Cargoes Provided
in Bill.
HOUSE MAY OPPOSE
CONTRABAND HAZARDS
Wilson Favors This and the Plan to
Purchase United States Mer-
chant Fleet.


debate passed the emergency war risk
insurance bill, carrying an appropria-
tion of s5.00O.000 to insure American
vessels and cargoes against the haz-
ards of war.
Senator McCumber contended the rate
of insurance should not be based on
the rate charged belligerent ships, but
on a basis of the war risk Of neutrals.
The bill by unanimous consent was
changed consequently SO as to pro-
vide for adequate war risk insurance
without reference to these rates being
on an equality with the rates of bel
ligerent vessels.
Another amendment adopted was that
offered by Senator Gallinger of New
Hampshire. which provides tnat ai ane
war risk insurance bureau De aooi-
ished as soon as the war Is over.
Senator Lane of Oregon offered an
amendment to insure against war rlsks
all the officers and men on the Ameri-
can merchant vessels during the war
1t was rejected by vote OF 81 to II.
Wilson Favors Bill.
Commerce committees of the Senate
and House had voted favorable reports
on the project to supplement the new
law auIQOTlZinS AMSIlS1A ASo o'SSA
for foreign-built ships.
President Wilson discussed the war
risk insurance bill today with Senators
Shively. Saulsburg and Burton ana
with several members of the House
He expressed a desire that the pro-
posed legislation be enacted as soon as
possible.
Plans for the purchase and operation
of a fleet of merchantmen by the gov
ernment while ships of other nations
are tied up by war were being written
into a bill today for early submission
to Congress.
any detailed plan as to the proposal
that the government purchase ships to
move American crops to Europe.
Some House Opposition.
Some opposition to the enterprise has
been heard in the House. but 1t was
said that If it were discovered that emer-
gency legislation already passed and
pending would not provide transportation
for Anerican crops, congressional au-
thority for the establishment OF the
feet would not be delayed.
The Senate merchant marine commit
tee, it was said. would proceed with the
bill without waiting for action In the
House.
Urging the necessity for adequate in
surance of American vessels and cargoes
at sea, Senator Clarke of Arkansas to-
day asked the Senate to pass the ad-
min!stration bill for the establishment OF
a bureau Of war risk insurance in the
Treasury Department.
-The war in Europe" said Senator
Clarke, has interfered greatly with
American, commerce. This bill is de-
signed to provide insurance for Ameri :
can vessels carrying American prod
ucts abroad, when 1t is impossible to
frnr q
private insurance companies. The war
risk insurance to be provided by the
government does not include the ordf-
nary risk, but only those risks due to
and the possibility of being destroyed
by mines. etc"
Senatore Jones of Washington ex-
pressed the belief the bill was an in
vitation to ships to engage in ques-
tionable trade. Senator Clarke denied
this, but replied that vessel owners
hesitated to fly the American flag in
the sea trade without a strong in
surance.
McCumber Scents Trouble.
I'm looking for trouble in bill of
this kind" insisted Senator McCum-
Der, as he referred to what might oc-
cur If the insured vessels carried con-
traband of war to warning countries.
Senator Clarke responde dhe felt
safe in assuming the insurance would
be written with business prudence
that would avoid international com
p1ications.
Senator Lane of Oregon urged that a
provision be put in for the insurance
of the lives of men on board the
American vessels. who, he said, would
surance as merchants for their cargoes.
I wish you would think little Of the
value of lives as well as Of property
remarked Senator Lane
Senator Clarke declined to insert such
provision as certain to cause delay in
the passage of the bill.
Senator Lane insisted on his proposal
for war insurance on the lives of the
crew on American ships, but it was voted
down by 80 to IA.
Hint to Capitalists.
Members of the House who have looked
| with suspicion on the proposal to sub
sidize a merchant marine with $40, 900. .OOo
Of real American money have received as
surances that the bill to buy or lease
| merchant vessels will not be made effec-
tive unless necessary as last resort. In
other words, the bill seems to be in the
to take advantage of the present situation
and invest their money in a new trans
! atlantic merchant marine
| Another conference was arranged
today between Senator Clarke of Ar
kansas, chairman of the Senate COM
mittee on commerce. and Representa-
tive Alexander of Missouri, chairman
of the House merchants marine COM
mittee, to consider the plan for gov
lernment-owned vessels. Neither is en-
thusiastic over it at this time, though
Mr.. Alexander. to whom an admins
| tration drawn memorandum Of the
plan was submitted. is ready to go
ahead with some relief along that line
If the private shipping interests fail
| to take advantage of the new shipping
registry law and the war risk insur-
ance bill, now pending in both houses.
Senator Clarke is working over the
tentative plan, and proposes to call
the commerce committee tomorrow to
| consider 1t.
Fear Contraband Trouble.
| The program Of the administration re-
'gardine the ocean traffic, which has been
interfered with by the European war. is
shaping itself very clearly. with the ex-
ception that the naval affairs committee
of the House seems to have found a