Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-31
Bills Compared

The striking differ ences between the
rev bill ana tn" one which failed in
the Senate last year are notifications
ii the government operation feature
and broadening of the powers OF the
shipping board which it is proposed to
create. Government operation, under
tie new bill would be entered upon on
II as last resort if private capital
failed 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 now
regulates interstate railways traffic
Every effort has been made to draw
tie oil $" as to encourage American
capital to help uphuild the merchant
marine and to protect it from unfair
0relgn competition, and government
vessels never would operate on lines
where ali American service was fur
Eshng satisfactory service at fair
rates The out-and-out government
ownership feature of the old bill arous
e so much opposition that it was gem
orally conceded to have been one of
the primary causes for the failure of
me measure
An initial appropriation of S50.000.Oo0 for
'He purchase or lease of vessels to he
obtained by the sale of Panama canal
"hds and the appointment of the shin
ping board of five members are the fret
oolects of the new bill. The secretary
Of the navy and the secretary of COM
"eice would be ex-otticio members ST the
BOARD and the other three members would
'e men of large practical experience in
foreign commerce, They would be an
pointed by the President and receive Sl0.-
w year. A secretary would receive
wv year and the remainder of the
UoaFd employees, except an attorney,
would come from the civil service lists
ol The federal government.
With the s50,o000OO the board would
organize corporation to lease, buy,
ehaF'er or build ships. 1t would be re-
sFlcted to the purchase of as many
american made vessels as possible. Ships
constructed in foreign countries would
e united to foreign trade only. The
BOARD would offer stock to citizens of the
United States and if all were subscribed
me board never need operate a ship
raAing to interest private capital. how
EVER the board could operate vessels.
both vessels controlled by the board
''d those which had passed into private
Hahds by lease or charter would be sub
e7 at all times to the call of the Pres
ueht Tor use in war. Members of the
's~s and officers could volunteer at any
.aa would receive from s. to sl5 a month
"o'h the time of enlistment
Powers Of Shipping Board
Liberal regulations for United States
'-ppers and more rigid rules for for
ash interests are contemplated by that
VT OF the bill prescribing the powers of
Is shipping boasd. Here follow the
p7hcipal features
me shipping board and the Interstate
N'"ilperce Commission acting jointly
Sufu permit railroads to make special
.aes for shipments in connection with
'a'hshlps to encourage interior points
participate in the foreign trade.
All common carriers foreign and do
"es'le operating in American waters
.euid be forced after January 1917 to
,V'ain revocable licenses from the
bard
"o vessel registered or enrolled I'M
sa The laws of the United States could
soid TO a foreign country without
- !. mission from the board Failure to
''erVe that restriction would subject
wy vessel TO refusal of clearance papers
~ u me owners to a charge Of commit
~as misdeneanor.
!. 'eSseis might be re-sold or leased on
~ /" other United States citizens and
a"a the boards approval. The trainers
"e bill emphasize that one of it's
,pSes Is to put government ships
~ "alilc where private capital would
~ sssume the risk or where there is
sstatve need of immediate transport
"a. '''es before private capital could
hin ,"e outlook for the passage of the
H.. III the Senate where it was killed
NJ year because Of party revolt led
=, SENATOR Clarke, now is considered
,n.S .aoie. The President has had fire.
o.a conferences recently with Sena-
s.,. Iho opposed it and many changes
VIC made at their suggestion.