Bisbee daily review., 1916-07-09
Long Breach Between Demo- cratic Senators Ends In Vic tory For Wilson Admins tration
MERCHANT MARINE
 SOON TO BE REALITY
Measure, Now To Be Battled Through Upper House Sim liar To House Draft. Five Year Proviso Stands
(6y Review Leased Wire. l

NoJ hcNcW Leased Wife.l
 WASHINGTON, July 8-0emo- cratic Senators in caucus late to- day reached an agreement on the
 government shipping bill to up-
 build the American merchant ma chant marine, ending one of the
 most serious party divisions that
 has occurred within the life of the Wilson administration. Diff ferenees which led to a Demo
 cratic revolt at the last session
 of Congress and resulted in fail
 ure of the ship purchase bill. had threatened the pending measure.
 earnestly advocated by President
 Wilson, with like fate.
 Amendments submitted today. how ever. ironed out all serious difficulties and Senators who had been fighting each other on the issue shook hands. resolving to press the bill for passage at this session. no matter how long it may delay adjournment.
 Changes proposed by the Democrats Of the commerce committee agreed 10 by the caucus do not alter the priuci~ pie of the bill which already has pass cd the House. The amendments in clude the following provisions:
 No War Power Ships.
 The government shall not purchase any ship which flies the flag of Eu- ropean nation at war nor any ship al ready engaged in American trade uu- less 1t is about to be withdrawn from that trade.
 No. ship shall be acquired hy the government which is below a per cent of it's original efficiency.
 Prefer. Leasing. Regulated.
 The government shall not under take to operate merchant ships unless all efforts fail to negotiate satisfac- tory leases or sales to private corpor- ations for that purpose. the govern nent reserving the right. however. tO prescribe conditions under which ships shall be operated and in what service they shall engage.
 Among Democratic Senators who were opposed to the bill as it came from the House and whose support has been won over by today's action are Clarke. leader O fthe opposition: Bankhead. Vardaman. Hitchcock, OGorman and Hardwick The closing incident of the caucus was a demon stration of applause when Senator Clarke shook hands with Senator Stone. signalizing the end of the par ty struggle
 May Enter Coast Trade.
 When the amendments had been ap- proved the commerce committee was authorized to rush consideration of the bill and also to draft a provision regarding entry of government ships in American coastwise. trade. That issue was discussed pro and con in the caucus and there was an expres- sion of opinion by the majority of the Democrats that government ships should be permitted to enter into such trade It was left to the commit tee to incorporate a provision relat- ing to this subject in the bill
 Shipping Board Stands.
 Provisions of the House bill reiat- ing to the selection and make up of the proposed shipping board were not amended. although there had been suggestions for the elimination of the secretary of the navy and secretary Of commerce from it's personnel. Neither was there any amendment to the pro vision which limits operation of the proposed system to a five-year period following conclusion of the European war.