The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-27
MANN URGES ACTION
ON REGISTRY BILL
Reads Protest From Head of U.
s. Steel Corporation
Against Delay.
STEAMERS IDLE IN PORT
Enforcement of New Law Passed
as Emergency Measure
Held Up One Week.
IDLE IN PORT

WAsHINGroS, Aug. ga protest
against the delay Of President Wilson In
giving effect to the law approved last
week admitting to American registry ships
that now fly foreign flags was voiced In
the House to-day by Representative
Mann OF Illinois, the Republican leader.
Mr.. Mann read a telegram FROM James
A. Farrell, president Of the Steel Corpora
ton In which Mr.. Farrell said that ves-
sells OF the corporation and those OF other
companies were ready to take advantage
OF the new law. but that they were
unable to do so because Of the delay In
Issuing proclamation. Mr.. Farrell
pointed out further that number OF the
corporation vessels. ready to transport
wheat and cotton. are lying In port at
great expense to the owners
Commenting on President Farrelrs
telegram Representative Mann asserted
that Congress had passed the registry bill
as an emergency measure on the plea
of the Administration that the emergency
was urgent and yet the enforcencnt or
the law had been held up for week
without any explanation or the cause
OF the delay by tho Administration. The
text of President Farrelrs telegram fol-
lows:
"Our steamer Bantu, loaded for Uruguay
and Argentina. and steamer Crofton Hall.
loaded for Chile and Peru. IN New foTk
ready TO sail. Steamer Kentra ready for
grain or cotton Atlantic coast or Gun
Steamer Santa Rosalia. Puget Sound.
ready for wheat Steamers San Fran
cisco, Buena Ventura, 1karia, Industry
Matoppo and several others available
for transportation American products and
we are patiently awaiting issuance OF
proclamation In order to be In an intelll-
gent position as TO whether we can put
these steamers under American nag
Immediately and operate them compcti-
lively with steamers ~ over sea trade
under other flags az our steamers are
being held in various ports at very heavy
expense Would appreciate advices as 10
about when information Will he available,
TO enable us to determine what TO do.
capt. Dollar and other American own
ers OF ships now under foreign naEs are
In the same position. The provisions o'
law prescribing that the watch officers
OF vessels Of the United States registered
for foreign trade shall be citiz- MS OF the
United States should be suspended for n
period of AT least three years and the
provisions OF law requiring survey, inspec-
ton and measurern, M by officers or the
United States should also he suspended
for the same period Further, until the
war risk Insurance bill has passed the
IIouss and becomes effective we will be
without ship insurance in the event OF
transfer"
II do not know just when the registry
bill was signed by the President and be-
came law. but I assume that I was
sent to him at least one week ago said
Representative Mann. I'VE have various
other emergency matters that are likely
TO be pres nted and urged on the ground
that We must act Immediately on account
OF the great emergency. Although the
ship registry bill was passed more than
"A week ago the regulations under which X
Is to he administered have not been ~
sued by the President. We were told
when we passed the Hill that II was "a
meet great emergency. Apparently the
departments that deal with these grea,
emergencies forget the emergency as soon
as Congress has acted.
I'VE appropriated S2.75o 900 some weeks
ago to bring home American citizens
abroad | have no disposition 10 crit!-
cise, but l wonder why we cannot ge,
the machinery in motion so as to actually
take care Of the people"