Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-04
INCREASES POWER
OVER SH|PBU|LD|NG
Proposed Legislation In Congress
Vastly Extends Government
Authority
TWO BILLS INTRODUCED
One Object II to Thwart Attempts Of
German Capital to Secure Control
Of Vessels Under Construction

Washington, April 3.-vast extension
Of federal powers over shipbuilding ships.
shipping rates, docks and terminals has
been asked of Congress by the shipping
board and Is proposed In two bills intro
duced to-day by Senator Fletcher Of Flor
ida, chairman of the commerce commit
tee, after conferences with Chairman Hur-
ley.
The President would be authorized by
the legislation to prescribe through the
shipping board charter and freight rates
and to take over ships, docks, wharves,
and terminal facilities in one bill. and
the second measure, amending the law
creating the shipping board. would ex-
tend its authority over ownership and
transfer of vessels. existing or under con-
struction. Both bills have been referred to
the commerce committee.
In explaining the new legislation to-
day Senator Fletcher said the shipping
board had discovered and thwarted at
tempts of German capital to secure con-
troll Of vessels owned or under constitution
in the United States, for present profit as
we'll as to provide Germany with mer-
chant fleet after the war. To enlarge
the powers of the board to deal with such
attempts Is one of the chief purposes OF
the proposed laws.
Besides authorizing the President to
prescribe rates, terms and conditions
under which American vessels may be
chartered one Of the bills would authorize
him to disapprove existing charters. pro-
hibit chartering Of any specified class OF
vessels; prescribe freight rates for Amer
lean vessels. coastwise or ocean going;
to prescribe in any United States port
rates, charges and terms for dockage
| wharfage, stevedoring, handling and bum
kering Of vessels" and rentals of docks
and terminal facilities. 1t also would
empower him to prescribe priority OF
goes may be carried and direct the rout-
| ing of American vessels or foreign ships
under charter to American citizens.
Another clause of the bill would EN-.
power the President to. regulate ''voy-
ages. courses. and use Of protective de-
vices and any other matters affecting
navigation, equipment, fueling, painting
and arming" of American vessels. and to
exclude vessels from danger zones.
| American citizens and others within
| American Jurisdiction would be prohibited
from chartering any foreign vessel with
out the Presidents approval, or to i'm
| port or export goods exceeding 1000 tons
| in weight or terms requiring the seller
ana DuyeT respectively W pay tIdHSpoE
| tation costs.
The Presidents powers under the bill
would be limited to six months after
the war, or, II he should deem shipping
shortage warranted. for an additiona
year. Heavy penalties-five years i'm
prisonment and $4,000 fine-are proposed
! for violation Of the Presidents regula
/ tions.
| The second Fletcher bill relating tc
ownership of vessels, would penalize
during the war. SALE transfer, lease OF
charter of vessels owned in whole or II
part by American citizens without ap
proval of the shipping board. 1t alst
provides that all ship construction con
tracts must receive the boards approva
and prohibits clearance of American
built vessels without its consent. Trans
fer of shares of stock in shipping con
Germs also would be subject to the board
censorship. Senator Fletcher said thi
provision especially was designed to pre-
vent German capital from securing in
terest In American ships.