Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-31
REVISED SHIP BILL.
READY FOR HOUSE
Will Be introduced by Chairman
Alexander, Who Gives
Out Details.
HE WILL FIGHT FOR PASSAGE
Modification of Government-Op-
Grafton Feature Is Most
Striking Change.
HE WILL FIGHT FOR PASSAGE

WASHINGTON. January go Details
of the new administration ship bill to
build "a merchant marine. and naval
auSiliaries, revised to command the
votes OF dissenting Democrats were
made public tonight for the first time.
II will be introduced tomorrow in the
house by Chairman Alexander, OF tho
Merchant Marine Committee, who. will
lead the fight for It's passage on the
floor.
Public hearings, at which President
Wilson and others will he asked to
testify. will begin in Il few days
The striking difference between thc
now bill and the one which failed in
the Senate last year are modification
of the government operation feature.
and broadening 'of the powers or the
shipping board. which it IS proposed 10
create. Government operation. under
the new bill. would be entered upon
! only as last resort if private capital
fails to respond to the enterprise. The
shipping board would be empowered to
regulate all interstate and foreign com
merce in American waters, as the In
tcrstate Commerce Commission now
regulates interstate railway traffic.
Every effort has been made to draw
the bin so as include American capital
to help uphuild the merchant marine.
and TO protect ii from unfair foreign
competition. and government vessels
only would operate on lines whore
American service was furnishing salts
factory service at fair rates The out
and -out government ownership feature
OF the old bill was generally conceded
to have been one of the primary causes
for the failure OF the measure.
CALLS For s5O.0O0.O0O
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION
An annual appropria tion OF $4,000
600 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 bill. The
Secretary os the Navy and the Secretary
| OF Commerce would be cX-ofIicio mem
/ hers of the board. and the other three
! members would be "rren Of large prac-
! tical experience" in foreign commerce.
! They would be appointed by the Presi-
dent and receive $4,000 4 year. \ sec
! rotary would receive $1,000 Il year and
! tho remainder OF the board employees.
except an attorney. come from the civil
! service lists Of the Federal government
organize 4 corporation to lease. buy,
charter or build ships. 1t would he
restricted 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 cit!zcna
| of the United States. and. if all were
subscribed, the board need never oper-
ate a ship. Failing TO interes, private
capital, however, the board could opcr-
ate vessels.
Eoth vessels controlled by the board
and those which had passed into private
hands by lease or charter would ba
subject at all times TO the call of the
President III case OF war. Members of
| the crews and officers could volunteer
ut any time for service in the naval
auxiliary. and would receive from s5 TO
Sl5 a month from the time Of enlist
ment
LIBERAL REGULATIONS
FOR 1. =. SHIPPERS
Liberal regulations for United States
shippers and more rigid rules for for
ciSn interests are contemplated Ivy that
part of the bill prescribing the powers
OF the shipping board. Here are some
or the features OF those clauses:
The shipping board and Interstate
Commerce Commission. acting jointly.
could permit railroads TO make special
rates Tor shipments in connection with
steamships 20 encourage interior points
to participate in the foreign trade
All common carriers, foreign ard do
nestle operating in American waters
would bc forced after January q. 1917.
10 get revocablc licenses from the
board.
No vessel registered or enrolled un-
der tn" laws OF the United states could
DC sold 10 foreign country without
permission from the board Failur. to
observe that restriction would sub. cct
The vessel to refusal Of clearance pa
pers. and the owner TO a charge OF
committing misdemcanor
Vessels might he rcsold or leased
only TO other United States citizens,
ana with the boards approval
Many are interested to know if the
biii contains a provision authorizing
ownership. and operation of merchant
vessels by the government" Kepresen-
tatiNc Alexander said Tonight. 1t
provides that the board may. if neces-
sary. subscribe TO aud purchase tho
majority of the stock in a corporation
necessary to protect the interest of the
government. and may n any time. with
the approval of the President. sell such
stock.
TO EXERCIsE POWER
ONLY AS i.aST RESORT
Vessels owned by such corporation
or corporations Will he operated and
their business conducted like the bust
n nT oil
that the government Will retain con-
troll by stock of majority owners. This
is suggested as the plan Of ownership
control and operation or vessels hy the
banana Railroad Company. in which
the government owns all the stock, and
which has been In operation for ten