The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-31
Varies From Bill Defeated Last Year in Modification of Government Operation Feature
SHIPPING BOARD IS GIVEN MORE POWER
 UNDER THE MEASURE
Would Regulate Interstate and Foreign Commerce in Foreign Waters-Alexan- der Will Lead Fight

Washington, January SO.--Detals of the new administration ship bill to build a merchant marine and naval auxiliaries, revised to command the votes of dissent ing democrats. were made public tonight for the first time It will be introduced tomorrow in the House by Chairman Alexander of the merchant marine com mittee, who will lead the fight for it's passage on the floor.
 Public hearings. at which President Wilson and others will be asked to testify, will begin in a few days
 The striking differences between the new bill and the one which failed in the Senate last year are modification of the government operation feature and broad ening of the powers of the shipping board which it is proposed to create Govern ment operation under the new bill would be entered upon only as a last resort if private capital fails to respond to the enterprise. The shipping board would be empowered to regulate all interstate and foreign commerce in American waters as the interstate commerce commission regu- lates interstate railway traffic.
 ENCOURAGES PRIVATE CAPITAL
 Every effort has been made to draw the bill so as to encourage American capital to help upbuild the merchant marine and to protect it from unfair foreign com petition and government vessels never would operate on lines where an American company was furnishing satisfactory ser vice at fair rates. The out and out gov ernment ownership feature of the old bill aroused so much opposition that it was generally conceded to have been -one. of the primary causes for failure Of the measure
 An initial appropriation of $50,000,00 for the purchase or lease of vessels to be obtained by the sale of Panama canal bonds and the appointment of the shipping board of five members are the first objects of the new Dill. The Sec retary of the Navy and the Secretary of Commerce would be ex -officio members of the board, and the other three mem bers would be men of large practical experience" in foreign commerce. They would be appointed by the President and receive $10,000 year. A secretary would receive $5000 year and the remainder of the board employees, except an at torney, would come from the civil ser vice lists of the federal government
 With the $50.OO0,O the board would organize a corporation to lease buy, charter or build ships. It would be re- stricted to the purchase of as many American made vessels as possible. Ships constructed in foreign countries would be limited to foreign trade only. The board would offer stock to citi zens of the United States, and if all were subscribed the board need never operate a ship. Failing to interest private capital. however. the board could operate vessels.
 Both vessels controlled by the board and those which had passed into pri- vate hands by lease or charter would be subject at all times to the call of the President for use in war. Mem bers of the crews and officers could volunteer at anytime for service in the naval auxiliary and would receive from $5 to $15 month from the time of enlistment.
 FAVORS AMERICAN SHIPPERS
 Liberal regulations for United States shippers and more rigid rules for for eign interests are contemplated by that part of the bill prescribing the powers
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