Arizona republican., 1916-01-31
ADMINISTRATION SHIP BILL PLAN
 |S MADE PUBLIC
Republican A. p. Leased WireJ

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.-Details of the new administration ship bill to build a merchant marine and naval auXiliaries, revised to command the votes of dissenting democrats, were made public tonight for the first time. It will be introduced tomorrow in the house by Chairman Alexander of the merchant marine committee, who will lead the fight for it's passage on the floor.
 Public hearings at which President Wilson and others will be asked to testify will begin in few days.
 The striking difference between the new bill and the one which failed in the senate last year are modification of the government operation feature and broadening of the powers of the shipping board, which it is proposed to create. Government operation under the new bill would be entered upon only as a last resort if private capital fails to respond to the enterprise. The shipping board would be empowered to regulate all interstate and foreign commerce in American waters as the interstate commerce commission now regulates interstate railway traffic
 Every effort has been made to draw the bill so as to encourage American capital to help build up the merchant marine and to protect it from unfair foreign competition. Government ves- sels never would operate on lines where an American service was fur nishins satisfactory service at fair rates. The radical government owner ship feature of the old bill aroused so much opposition that it was generally conceded to have been one of the pri- mary causes for the failure of the measure
 An initial appropriation of $50,000, 900 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 of the navy and the sec. retary of commerce would be ex-offi- cio members of the board and the other three members would be men of large practical experienced" in foreign com merce. They would be appointed by the president and receive $10,000 a year. A secretary would receive $5. 900 a year, and the remainder of the board employees, except an attorney, would come from the civil service lists of the federal government.
 With the $50,000, 900 the board would organize a corporation to lease, buy, charter or build ships. It would be re- stricted to the purchase of as many A 1ari1 Aa Ships constructed in foreign countries would be limited to foreign trade only The board would offer stock to citizens of the United States, and if all were subscribed, the board would never op- crate a ship. Failing to interest pri- vate capital, however. the board would operate vessels
 Both vessels controlled by the board the board and those which had passed into private hands by lease or charter would be subject at all times to the call of the president for use in war Members of the crew and officers could volunteer at any time for service in the naval auxiliary and would re- time of enlistment.
 Liberal regulations for United Sta; c: supporters and more rigid rules fCi foreign interests are contemplated by that part of the features of that cl use
 The shipping board, with the inter state commerce commission, acting jointly. could permit railroads to make special rates for shipments in connec- tiOn with steamships to encourage in- terior points to participate in the for eign trade.
 All common carriers, foreign and do nestle, operating in American waters would be forced. after January 1, 1917 to obtain revocable licenses from the board
 No vessel registered or enrolled un der the laws of the United states coulC be sold to foreign country withou permission of the board. Failure t' observe that restriction would Subjec the vessel to refusal of clearance pa pers and the owner to a charge 0 committing a misdemeanor.
 Vessels might be resoid or leased only to other United States citizens and with the boards approval.
 The outlook for the passage of tn bill in the senate where it was killet last year because of a party revolt le' by Senator Clarke, is now considere' favorable The president has held fire quent conferences recently with sena tors who opposed it and many change were made at their suggestion.