The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-19
SHIPPING BILL
PASSED SENATE
One of the Most Bitterly Contested Leg
islative Struggles of Wilson Ad-
ministration Ended By Vote
of ss to 2i.

Washington, d. c.. Aug. l9.-The gov,
ernment shipping bill passed the Senate
last night by vote of IS to 2l, ending
one of the most bitterly contested legis-
lative struggles of the Wilson admins.
tration. In the last Congress the meas
ure precipitated a Democratic revolt and
a filibuster which forced postponement
of many important bills but, revised so
as to minimize the government operation
| feature, the measure received yesterday
unanimous Democratic support and solid
Republican opposition. 1t already has
passed the House.
Passage of the bill paved the way for
consideration of the revenue bill begin
ming next week, and revived the hopes
of administration leaders that the leg
islative decks might be completely
cleared for adjournment by Sept. l..
While the Senate was disposing of the
shipping measure, the House agreed to
three conference reports in the general
legislative cleanup and, despite the
presidents veto of the army appropria-
tion BILL party managers now believe all
pending business can be put through
speedily.
The shipping bill provides for Great
tion of a government shipping board to
acquire and operate ships for rehabii-
tation of the American merchant marine
and appropriates S50000,000 for tnat pur-
pose to be raised by the sale of Panama
canal bonds. Several important amend
ments were agreed TO just before the
final vote, among them one by Senator
Hoke Smith, which would reduce the sal
AIRY of the shipping board members from
$4,000 to $500 year At the last
minute vain efforts Were made by Sen
ator Borah to attach the immigration
bill to the shipping measure. He first
offered an amendment Incorporating the
literacy test section in a provision to
prevent transportation of aliens TO
American shores. The amendment was
voted down. 20 to 80. He then offered |
the entire immigration bill as a rider, |
and it was rejected % to 81.
Chairman Simmons of the finance com
mittee said last night he thought the /
revenue bill could be disposed of by next |
night. 1t will be called up
Monday and Republicans have assured /
the chairman their opposition speeches 7
will occupy only two or three days. To- |
lay the Senate is debating and probably
will pass the workmen's compensation
bill.
The shipping bill as passed by the Sen
ate would create a shipping board com
,osed of five commissioners appointed by
he president, the House provision max
ng the secretaries of the navy and com
nerce ex-officio members having been /,
eliminated. The board would be author
zed, either directly or indirectly, through :
corporation or corporations to be or
,aniged, to build, purchase, lease or
harter vessels suitable for use in ocean
The bill further would authorize the E
hipping board to organize one or more i
with a total capital stock {
ot exceeding $50,oo0,000, the govern /
nent, through the board to subscribe
or majority of the stock The cor
would be empowered to pur
hase, construct, equip, lease, charter 6
nd operate merchant vessels in the com
lerce of the United States. Operation
t ships by the government corporations
,ould be limited to a period of five years f
fter the close of the European war. r
The bill would give the proposed ship f
ing board regulatory authority over t
yater carriers of the country in inter {
tate commerce with power to regulate
ates, but would exempt from this regu-
ltion inland water traffic except that on s
he Great Lakes. t