Evening star., 1915-02-04
Majority Report Against
Alexander Ship Bill

The committee on upbuilding OF the
merchant marine of the Chamber Of
Commerce of the United States today
presented to the convention what was
called a majority REPORT. which is ad-
verso to the principles ,of the Alex
ander bill, SO called. over which the
Senate is now nlibustering. providing
for the government purchase of ships
The majority report was signed by
the chairman Of the committee. W!l-
liam Harris Douglas. and by John A.
Penton, Ludwig Nissen. Bernard j.
Rothwell, H. A. Black and Thomas L..
Stitt. A minority report is to be pre-
sented later today.
Mr.. Douglas and his associates ad-
vocated the creation of federal shin
ping board, to encourage the establish
ment and successful operation Of an
a marine development company. cap
italized at $50 100000, to advance gov
ernment funds to buyers or builders Of
steamers.
Against Alexander Bill.
We are unwilling to accept the
principles of the Alexander BILL" the
report states. Continuing. 1t is de-
clared:
First Your committee consider
that, owing to the worlds shipping
conditions. government aid is absolute
lily essential to upbuild our merchant
marine, and we recommend 1t be freely
and adequately given.
"second. We believe the proposed
government plan of purchase or con.
struction even. II operation Is avoided
by charterfng to private persons. is
wrong in principle and an unWhse hs LIZ !. the
Initiative supplemented by reasonable
government mid
Third. The success Of other nations
in giving direct aid to establish over
sea nail and freight lines should not
be disresarded. unless we are satisfied
equally successful results can be ac-
complished by better, cheaper and more
efficient methods
Fourth. We advocate the formation
of a federal shipping board and ma
rine development company as outlined.
the company to advance funds to buy
ers or builders of steamers and the
board to- supervise our shipping. with
full authority to handle all matters
lnertaining to our oversee transporta-
tion.
Fifth. We strongly recommend that
government license to operate shall be
taken out by all lines. domestic or for
eign, engaged in shipping between
ports of the United States and other
sixth. We recommend amending the
law for mail-carrying purposes. the
speed Of first and second class steam
ers being lowered and adequate COM
pensation provided.
People Are Aroused.
your committee believe that the en-
tire country is now aroused and that
they desire this great national ques-
ton settled by prompt government ac-
tion to restore our maritime power.
This stain on our national escutcheon,
this menace to our commercial ad-
vancement and prosperity. this danger
to our nations greatness and source or
weakness in case of war. this cause OF
Irritation and loss of pride to every
man that loves his country. this al
most unexplainable position. by reason
of our unparalleled success in other d.
rections, should be swept aside. so that
no longer shall our national progress
be retarded. Our people wish to see the
Stars and Stripes again fly proudly on
every ocean, and in every port. and the
right of our merchants to control our
export and import commerce again re-
allied for the protection of American
Until this comes about our
people will not rest content. nor should
they, if we still possess that national
pride left to us as a proud heritage by