Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-02-15
SENATE VOTES
PROBE OF SHIP
BILL LOBBYING
Burton Resolution With Demo
cratic Amendments Is Unan-
imousIy Adopted.
TO THROW SEARcHLlGHT
ON BOTH SIDES OF FENCE
Reed and Williams Come to De-
fense of McAdoo Attacked.
Warburg's Denial.

WASHINGTON, Feb 15.-Adminis-
tratlon Democrats and flibustering
Republicans joined hands today for
the first time since the shipping
measure came up in the Senate, to
vote unanimously for a resolution to
look into charges of lobbying by the
so-called shipping trust and to inquire
into any negotiations by administra-
ton officials to buy belhgerent ships.
Vice President Marshall at once ap-
pointed Senators Walsh, Simmons,
Reed, Burton and Weeks, three DEM
oerats and two Republicans, to make
the inquiry.
There are only fifteen working days
left to the sixty-third Congress. Some
senators were of the opinion that such
an investigation, likely to be pro-
longed, made improbable the passage
of the bill before March 4, and prac-
tieally assured an extra session, If the
President adhered to his deter1nina-
ton to press the measure.
Senator Burton's original resolution
TO have the Senate inquire whether
there had been any negotiations by
administration officials looking to the
purchase of ships of beligerents was
amended by the committee which
provides expenses for Investigations
TO include inquiry into charges OF op-
position to the bill by the so-called
shipping trust, and in that form was
passed unanimously.
McAdoo Prepares Information.
While the Senate was acting, Secre-
notifying Senator
Fletcher that he was preparinge all
the information on the subject called
for in the original resolution. The
passage of the resolution was pre-
ceded by a vigorous speech by Sen
ator Reed in defense of the secretary
of the treasury and renewed charges
that shipping interests had lobbled
against the bill.
''The original resolution intimates
that there has been corrupt influence
behind the support of this shipping
bill" Chairman Williams said In pre-
senting the committee report. 1T is
intended to strike at the secretary OF
The treasury, we might as we'll be
frank about that; and at a member
of the Federal Reserve Board. If
there Is IOlltuiitSo Oli oAiO SAeAS - ~---S
Denmark we had better see what is
on the other side"
The amendments proposed that the
investigation include what efforts
the so-called shipping trust has made
to prevent the passage OF the snip
purchase bill; that ii be ascerta1ned
what shipping corporations or cham
bers of commerce dominated by ship
ming interests have maintained legal
representatives in Washington TO
oppose the bill and that it also be
ascertained what senators are stock
or bond holders in the United Fruit
Company, or other shipping corpora
lions with which government ships
might compete"
Senator Reed spoke at length in de-
tense of the secretary of the treasury
upon whom, he said, Senator Bur-
toms resolution cast reflection.
The resolution directs inquiry on:
"Whether any individual, firm or
corporation in the United States has
made loans or advances to any IN
diyidual. firm or corporation owning
ships which are detained in the ports
OF the United States or elsewhere TO
avoid the consequences or war;
whether they have at any time OBJ
tained options upon any such ships,
dIlu WuSlucI 5uCll pClGO1io vi
tions having made loans or obtained
such options, have any direct or In
direct connection with the govern
ment Of the United States"
Also into what efforts 1.-The so-called
shipping trust, or any firm, person OF
corporation engaged or interested in
shipping have directly or indirectly
made to prevent the passage of the
ship purchase bill; whether any COM
pany Of shipowners or chamber or
commerce or other body influenced or
dominated by shipowners, whose yes
sells would compete with the ships to
be purchased or constructed under
said act, have had attorneys or
lobbyists at Washington working to
consummate the defeat of said bill,
and whether any senator or senator's
of the United States are stockowners
or bond holders of the United Fruit
Company or any other company own
ing ships which would compete with
lie ships to be purchased or con-
structed under the provisions of said
bill"
CIoture Rule Fight On.
Then, after the investigation resolu-
ton had been passed, Senator Reed
hurled parliamentary bombshell into
the Republican ranks with motion
CONTINUED on Page Q. Column A.