Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-08
NEW SHIP PURCHASE
BILL FOR US. CONTROL
BEFORE HOUSE TO-DAY
Administration Measure, Re-
vised, Pleases Leaders, Who
Will Make Strong Fight
for Passage
PROVISIONS OUTLINED

WASHINGTON, May s.--The Adminis-
tration shipping bill, with Government
ownership modified, will come up in the
House today. The completed draft Of the
shipping control and merchant marine
measure will be introduced by Representa-
tive J. w. Alexander OF Missouri, chair
man of tho Merchant Marine Committee
The bill as II will be introduced Is the
completed measure adopted by the com
mittee. II will be referred back to the
committee and then reported out to the
House Tuesday for reconsideration. Then
will begin the supreme legislative fight
of the session.
Majority Leader Ilitchin announced to-
night his complete satisfaction with the
bill, and promised to speak for II.
The committee believes II has prepared
a bill that will meet the objections of the
opponents of Government ownership" said
Representa- tive Alexander. We have pre-
pared measure that I think will meet all
opposition to previous ship purchase bills,
and | feel that the powers of the United
States Shipping Board are so set forth
that the entire bill will be adopted.
TO BUY OR BUILD.
The bill provides for the purchase,
lease or charter of ships for the merchant
marine by the Shipping Board. or II may
construct and equip such ships preference
being given to American shipyards and
navy yards. If the Shipping Board is un-
able TO lease or charter these boats 1T shall
have authority to organize s5O,OoO.0 900
corporation for purchase. construction,
equipment. lease. charter, maintenance and
operation of merchant vessels in the COM
merce of the United States.
The board, in behalf of the Federal Gov
ernment, may subscribe and vote not less
than a majority of the stock TO protect,
the interests of the United States At the
expiration of five years after the European
war, the operation of any vessels by this
corporation in which the United States is
then n stockholder, shall cease. and the
property shall revert to the board. The
$50, 100000 placed at the disposal of the
board is to be derived from the sale of
Panama bonds.
I'm view of the great amount of tom
mage and the demand for ships for the
South American trade, 1 do not believe Ii
will be at all necessary to organize this
operating corporation, but feel sure that
the shipping interests will be glad to
charter the vessels as fast as they are
acquired.
PERSONNEL OF BOARD.
"The board will be composed Of five
commissioners appointed by the President,
not more than three from the same po-
litical party, in addition to the Secretaries
of Commerce and the Navy who will be
ex-officio members. Confirmation by the
Senate is necessary. The commissioners
are TO receive $4,000 a year. No COM
missioner shall be allowed employment
by any water carrier or hold any stock
in any shipping corporation, nor actively
engage in any other business"
Powers of the shipping board to regu-
late shipping and prevent Discrimination
are set forth in the following provisions
of the bill
Section 15. That no common carrier by
water shall directly or indirectly pay or
allow or enter into any combination,
agreement or understanding, express or
implied to pay or allow a deferred re-
bate to any shipper. Nor shall he or they
combine for the purpose of excluding, pre-
venting or reducing competition by driv-
ing another carrier out of said trade.
They shall not retaliate against any ship
per by refusing, OF threatening to refuse,
space accommodations. when such are
available. or resort to other, dlscriminat-
ing or unfair methods because such ship
per has patronized any other carrier or
has filed q complaint charging unfair
treatment or for any other reason.
It Is forbidden to make any unfair or
unjusty discriminatory contract with any
shipper based on the volume Of freight
offered, or unfairly treat or unJustly dis
crlmlnate against any shipper III tno mat
ter of (a) cargo space accommodations or
other facilities, due regard being had for
the proper loading of the vessel and the
available freight tonnage; (b) the load
ing and landing Of freight in proper con-
dition, or (c) the adjustment and settle
ment of claims.
Any carrier who violates any provision
of this section shall be guilty OF misde-
meanor, punishable by fine of not more
mn FnT aanh Offanse.
Alaska. Hawaii and Porto Rico are ex-
cluded from the United States coastwise
trade under provisions of the bill. This
provision has caused wide discussion. and