The Washington times., 1915-09-07
Decides That Principal Mari.
time Nations Of the World
Are Exempt From Provisions
AMERICAN SHIPS SUFFER
Commerce Department Officials
Expect Congress To Be
Asked to Amend Measure.

A severe blow was given today TO
the La Toilette seamen's law IN an
opinion by Attorney General Gregory.
who declares the principal maritime
nations Of the world are exempted
from compliance with the lifesaving
provisions Of the law. These pro-
visions. however, are said to be fully
operative against American owned
vessels.
Failure Of Congress, in passing the
law at the last session. to repeal
conflicting statutes Is given as the
reason for this exemption. Officials
Of the Department of Commerce said
today that it was practically certain
that Congress would be asked to
amend the seamens law at the next
session, though thus far the amend
ments to be sought have not been
framed.
Section IA Of the seamen's law.
which is designed to give safety to
life at sea, Is the part Of the law az
fected. This section adds greatly to
the lifesaving equipment demanded
on passenger carrying liners, reQuir-
ing them to carry lifeboats for at
least rs per cent Of the persons on
board. and pontoon RATS for the re-
mainder on board; compels steamers
to carry trained lifeboat men. holding
Government certificates. capable Of
understanding orders. which prevents
use Of coolie lifecrews. and provides
for weekly musters and drills.
Provision for Exemption.
This section amended sections 400 and
44SS of the revised statutes, the former
steamboat inspection laws. without TAX
Ing into consideration the fact that
section 400 exempted vessels Of nations
having inspection laws approximating
those Of the United States from any
other inspection at American ports ex-
cept such as is necessary to show that
.hey complied with the laws Of their
own country. A certificate Of inspec-
ton from their home port was taken
as proof that they had SO compiled
with tho law.
II am Of the opinion" Attorney Gen.
/ eral Gregory said in his opinion today.
that when not actually carrying pas
foreign passenger steam vessels are
subject to the provisions Of section a.
Only foreign private steam vessels car
rying passengers from any port Of the
United States to any other pdace OF
country. are 50. subject,
ITO this latter rule. however, an ex-
ception must be noted in favor Of a
vessel belonging to country whose in.
spectlon laws at the time Of the voyage
approximate our own and which &C:
cords to our vessels like privileges OF
home inspection. provided such vessel
Is possessed Of an unexpired inspection
certificate evidencing compliance with
such foreign laws. or. where the certifi.
cate having expired, 1t has obtained a
sailing permit issued by the Secretar,
OF Commerce"
Department to Decide.
Tho scope Of this exception. the At
tonrey General pointed out, depended or
the meaning to be given the word ZAP
proximate." This he held to be a ni.xec
question Of law and fact to be deter
mined by the Department of Commerce
II a decision by the department aga1ns
vessels Of any particular nation Is made
the matter Is then one of judicial de-
termination, he added.
Solicitor Thurman Of the Department
of Commerce. who earlier had reached
the same conclusions as the Attorne,
General. had announced that under thi!
Interpretation Of the laws. section IA car
only be enforced against vessels Of thu
United States, and a few unimportan
maritime nations, including Italy, Bel
gtum and Greece.
& As the law is now construed. yes.
way. Japan, sA and % the leading ns'1 foreisr eIr:
competitors of the United States Will
be exempt from compliance with the
life-equipment provisions Of the sea.
mems law, although it will be en-.
forced against American yes
sells.
The law becomes operative Novem.
ber T. 1t Is the present intention tc
press legislation early in the next
session to remove the Inequality now
found. Steamship interests. however
vantage Of this situation to endeavol
to bring about the repeal Of the en-
tire law in the next Congress.