New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-19
Republicans Are Solidly
Against Measure to Ap-
propriate $780, 100000.
CONGRESS EXPECTED
TO ADJOURN SEPT. |
Revenue Bill Up Next
Week and Leaders See
Sessions End Soon.

Washington, Aug. 1S.-The govern
men. shipping bill passed the Senate
tonight by vote of 38 TO 81. ending
one of the most bitterly contested leg
islative struggles of the Wilson Ad-
ministraton. In the last Congress the
measure precipitated Democratic re-
VI II and a filibuster, which -orcec post
ponement of many important bills. Re-
vised to minimize the government OPP
Grafton feature, il received to-day
unanimous Democratic support and
solid Republican opposition. IL has
passed the House.
Passage of the bill paved the way
for consideration of the revenue bill
next week. and revived the Administra-
TONS hopes that the legislative decks
might be cleared for adjournment by
September l.
DESPITE the Presidents veto of the
Amy appropriation bill, party man
ayers believe all pending business can
lie put through speedily.
The shipping bill provides for gov
eminent shipping board to acquire and
operate ships, thereby reviving the
American merchant marine, and appro-
priates $50. 000, 900, to be raised by the
sale of Panama Canal bonds.
Important amendments were agreed
To inst before the final vote. One by
Senator Hoke Smith reduces the salary
of the board members from $4,000 to
$500 year
Retaliation Suggested.
An amendment by Senator Fletcher
authorizes the President to adjust for
eign discrimination against American
shipping through diplomatic negotia-
tions. and to retaliate if such negotia-
tions fail. Another by Senator Ihom-
as authorizes the Treasury to wiz
hold clearance from ship masters who
refuse to accept freight from Ameri-
can citizens without satisfactory rea-
sons.
The Thomas amendment, it is under
stood. strikes at the British blacklist,
giving the government a weapon Wnicn
it can use against the English policy II
necessary.
Efforts by Senator Borah to attach
the immigration iteracy test IN pro.
vision forbidding transportation OF
aliens to American shores were voted
down, 20 10 80.
Administration leaders hope that the
amendments will be accepted by the
House Tuesday without a conference:
The shipping bill as passed would
create & shipping board composed OF
five commissioners appointed by the
President. the House provision,
making the secretaries of the Navy and
Commerce ex-offico members, having
been eliminated The board would be
authorized, through corporation or
CORPORATIONS to be organized, to build,
purchase or charter vessels for use in
ocean commerce. The acquisition OF
any vessel engaged in foreign or do
nestle commerce of the United States
would be prohibited unless it we're to
be withdrawn from such commerce by
the owner without intention TO return
thereto within a reasonable time. The
purchase Of foreign vessel engaged
in war or the acquisition of a vessel
which would refuse reasonable
alterations would also be barred.
Corporation Plans.
The bill also would authorize the
board TO organize one or more corpora
tions with a capital stock not exceed
ing S50,000000 the government to
subscribe for a majority of the stock.
The corporations would be empowered
to purchase, construct, equip, lease,
charter and operate merchant vessels
for period of FIVE years after the close
of the European war.
Actual government operation would
he a last resort. not 10 be undertaken
"unless the board shall be unable. after
a bona fide effort, to lease them out"
A radical change in American ma
rine policy is provided in a Senate
amendment permitting government &C
ouired vessels. whether foreign or do
nestle built. to enter coastwise trade.
The bill would give the board author
ity over water carriers in interstate
commerce with power to regulate rates,
but would exempt from inland water
traffic except on the Great Lakes. The
President would be authorized TO take
possession for naval purposes Of any
vessel acquired under the act, with cont
pensation 10 persons dispossessed.