The Washington herald., 1915-02-16
Turns Light on Ship Bill

BY the adoption OF Senator Burton's rcsolu-
ton, broadcned in scope, providing for thorough
investigation and disclosure OF any corporate in
passage OF the shp-purchase BILL the Senate has
taken a step toward the removal of an insurmount-
able obstacle to tho ultimate success OF the
measure. The Washington Herald said cdtorially
yesterday:
There = no advocate OF the ship-purchasc bill
who dos no; know that the Senate OF the United
States Will never approve IT in form that will
rcrrHit III" government to buy these vessels until
,hc questions put by Senator Burton are salts
INCrorIly an>we cred.
The adoption OF tho Burton resolution and the
appointment by the Vice President of Senators
Wal>l Simmons, Reed, Burton and Weeks a
committee investigate will result in placing facts
above the vague rumorS that have been current in
Washington for weeks and which finally were
given voice the floor OF the Senate itself.
The following is a portion OF the debate Sat
urd.y, as reported in the Congressional Record:
Mr.. Bristow-May inquire OF the Senator how
many million dollars involved i'll the ships that
informed in New York and Boston? What is
the actual value OF the ships that there waiting
for purchase:
Mr. BurtOn-I gave partial estimate OF that in
some remarks | made few days ago; am not
sure that | gave an estimate OF the value, but |
gave a list OF the vessels | would say. as an ap-
proNnIate figure, SI25ooo,ooo. That is not so much
Mr. BriStow-With that much money involved
in ships that waiting to be purchased, does the
Senator wonder that there Is pressure behind
bill that offers the opportunity Tor purchase:
Mr. Burton-Ncll it does seem to me as though
tho great value OF the ships informed, which
now useless and which cost from $4,000 to $780,
600 a day to maintain, would be very powerful
factor in support OF such a bill ) this.
Mr.. Rristow-Docs the Senator not think that
that Is the most plausible reason that can be as
signed for the pcrsistcncy with which the demand
!, made that the ships be purchased and not con-
>tructcd in wards:
Mr.. Rurton-l have been cropping around for
cause OF tho pressure behind this bill that | am
prone to throw up my hands and say | cannot
tell what the reason may be.
Mr.. Bri>tow-lia> the Senator not observed
that the opposition to changes in the bill Is di-
rcccd more to that clause which provides for the
purchase than to any other,
Mr. Burton-Thc Senator refers TO that clause
which provides for the purchase OF the foreign
ships:
ships.
Mr. Rurton-Fvcrv time YOU bring up that
proposition its advocates seem 10 away.
Mr.. Bristow-Ncll, has it not been distinctly
stated in the public press that the force behind tins
bill would never consent to its amendment so as
to provide against the purchase OF ships from {
Mr.. Burton-les: | have seen that statement
made
Supporters OF the bill were quick to realize that
it could never become law with such cloud OF
suspicion about it. 1t became imperative to prove
TO the country that there were no improper in
fuenccS seeking financial gain behind the unrcmit- |
ling efforts to force the bill through the Senate.
The investigation has been made to include the
other side of the qucstion-whethcr improper in
iuenccs arc at work to prevent its passage. The
committee cannot complete its task in hurry, and
t is safe to say the shp-purchase bill has been
nterned for the lifetime OF the present Congress.