The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
BITTER STRUGGLE ON SHIPPING BILL
 ENDS IN PASSAGE
Measure Which Precipitated Democratic Revolt Last Session Now Ready for
 Presidents Signature

Washington. August 1S.-The govern ment shipping bill passed the Senate to- night by vote of 38 to 21, ending one of the most bitterly contested legislative struggles of the Wilson administration. In the last Congress the measure precipi- tated democratic revolt, but, revised so as to minimize the government opera tion feature, the measure received today Unanimous democratic support and solid republican opposition. It already has passed the House.
 The shipping bill provides for creation of government shipping board to ac- quire and operate ships for rehabilitation of the American merchant marine and ap- propriates $50,0OO,0OO for that purpose to be raised by the sale of Panama canal bonds. Several important amendments were agreed to just before the final vote, among them one by Senator Hoke Smith reducing the salary of the shipping board members from $10000 to s750O a year. Other amendments adopted include one Sby Senator Fletcher, which would au- sthorize the President to seek adjustment gof foreign discrimination against Ameri- can shipping through diplomatic negotla- ltions. and to take retaliatory action if lsuch negotiations fail. Another by Sena- tor Thomas would authorize the treasury Ito withhold clearance from masters of vessels who deliberately refuse to accept freight from American citizens without Satisfactory reasons.
 . VAIN EFFORT OF BORAH
 At the last minute vain efforts were made by Senator Borah to attach the i'm migration bill to the shipping measure.
 Administration leaders are hopeful that Senate amendments to the bill will be ac- tcepted by the House, where it will be submitted Tuesday, and that a confer ence will be unnecessary.
 The bill as passed by the Senate would tcreate a shipping board of five commis- Isioners appointed by the President, the House provision making the secretaries kof the navy and commerce ex officio members having been eliminated. The fboard would be authorized either directly for indirectly, through a corporation oI preparations to be organized, to build purchase, lease or charter vessels suit able for use in ocean commerce. Limita- ltion upon these powers would prohibit lthe requirement of any vessel at the time engaged in foreign or domestic com merce of the United States, unless it Is Ito be withdrawn from such commerce by lthe owner without intention to return thereto within a reasonable time; the purchase of any vessel which is under register or flag of a foreign country en- Jagged in war; or requirement of any ves- Isel which would not be available for tocean commerce without unreasonable al- iterations
 ! nTHEp nE DTII
 The bill further would authorize the Shipping board to organize one or more Icorporations with a total capital stool, mot exceeding $5dO00, ,000 the government fthrough the board, to subscribe for not sless than a majority of the stock. Tho kcorporations would be empowered to pur- achase, construct, equip, charter and op. ferate merchant vessels in the commerce lof the United States. Operation of ships iby the government corporations would jbe limited to a period of five years after ithe close of the European war Actual lgovernment operation would be a last re- fsort, not to be undertaken unless the sboard shall be able, after a bona fde aeffort to lease them out.
 A radical change in American merchant .marine policy is provided in Senate ,amendment permitting government ac- 2quired vessels, whether foreign or domes- ltic built, to enter the coastwise trade ot Sthe United States
 The bill would give the proposed ship sping board regulatory authority over twater carriers of the country in inter- sstate commerce with power to regulate irates, but would exempt from this regula- ttion inland water traffic except that on the great lakes. The President would be sauthorized to take possession for naval purposes of any vessel acquired under the tact, with reasonable compensation to per esons dispossessed. There are many other tprovisions making minor changes in ship gping regulations.