Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-02-27
BILL GIVES To
WILSON POWER
He IS SEEKING
Republican 4. p. Leased Wirel

WASHINGTON. Feb &c - After
conference with democratic and re-
publican leaders, Chairman Flood OF
the house foreign affairs committee,
introduced a bill late today authoriz-
ing the president to arm merchant
ships and use such other instru-
mentalities as necessary" TO protect
them on the high seas and providing
Tor g. special bond issue OF 100000. =
06G. The Dill was referred to the
committee, which viii consider il
tomorrow. At the same time the
senate foreign relations committee
viii consider the presidents tentative
draft of a similar measure. submitted
oy Chairman stone.
Tho text of the Flood bill follows:
~Bo it enacted by the senate and
house Of representatives OF the Unit
ed States Of America in congress
assembled. that the president Of the
United States be and is hereby
authorized and empowered to supply
merchant ships, the property of cit
liens of the United States and bear
ing American registry. with defen-
sive arms should 1t IN his judgment
become necessary for him 10 do 50.
and also with the necessary ammuni-
tion and means OF making use Of
them in defense against unlawful
attack and that he be and is hereby
authorized and empowered to employ
such other irstrumentalities and
methods as mag in his judgment and
discretion seem necessary and ade-
quate to protect such ships and the
citizens Of the United States In their
lawful and peaceful pursuits on the
high seas.
Section The sum OF one hun
dred million dollars is hereby ap-
lropriated out Of any moneys in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated
10 be expended by the president Of
the United States for the purpose
herein stated. the said sum to be
available until the first day OF jan
uary. nineteen hundred and eighteen:
ami the president is authorized to
transfer SO much thereof as he may
deem necessary to the bureau of war
risk insurance. created by act of
congress, approved September ,, 1914.
for the purpose o. insuring vessels.
their freight. passage moneys and
catgocs against loss or damage for
the present risks of war.
Section For the purpose of
meeting the expenditures herein
authorized the secre'/y Of the treas
ury. under the direction Of fhe presi-
don't is hereby authorized to borrow
on the credit of the United States and
20 issue therefore. bonds of the Unit
ed States not exceeding in the ag-
gregate S1p0.00000 said bonds to be
I'm such forms and subject TO such
terms and conditions as the secre-
| tary Of the treasury may prescribe
ard 10 bear interest at the rate not
exceeding three per centum per an
mum provided that such bonds shall
be sold at not less than par. shall
net carry the circulating privilege
and that all citizens Of the United
States shall be given an eoual op-
portunitv to subscribe therefore, but
no commission shall be allowed OF
| pad thereon: that both principal and
| interest shall be payable in United
| States GOLD coin of the present stand
| ard of value. and he EXEMPT from al
taxation and duties of the United
| States as well as from taxation ii
any form Of al state. municipal o1
| local authorities that any bonds
! issued hereunder may. under such
conditions as the secretary of the
| Continued on Page Two)