The Washington herald., 1918-06-22
Stenographic I,5goes of the Statement Of

SENATOR SMITH of South Carolina Will you state ytm
occupation and official position Mr. Coby'
Mr.. COLBY. | exclusively occupied in connection
with my duties the United States Shipping Board.
SENATOR SMITH of South Carolina We only have very
few minutes left but office of the United States Government
has asked that amebe of its force be heard will ask the
nee to extend the time for just few and give the
extension of time to the other side.
Mr.. COLBY. thank you very much for your courtesy Mr.
Chaiman but shall require only the very brefet time say what
have in mind
do not appear here gentlemen strictly upon any prompting
of have not followed the discussion of the prohibition
question in Congress its phases with anything approaching
Suious and consistent attention. "n any of its various
phases because the motive of prohibition the efforts the sincere
patSans of prohibition have manifested themselves
tionss both immediate and indirect
think stating opinion great many observant men
when that this rider appropriation bill regarded by
the generality of the attempt the believers
prohon to drive important salient into the territory occupied
by the opposition and that in discussing we can brush aside the
avowd purpose ostensbe motives upon as
advance upon the part of the prohibition advocates
say that did not here strictly, upon any prompting of
am here to make statement of belief and opinion
entertained by the United States Shipping Board and the Emergency
Fleet Corporation, the and the nStmentay upon which
Government has put this very responsible work of building
chant fleet of building transports the conveyance our troops
of keeping apace with the ravages of the submarine
We believe and opinion formed deliberately and after
much consultation and interchange of opinion that the effect
bit of legislation would be reduce the efficiency workers in
the shpyard and to reduce their of tonnage by
santia amount impossible for to estimate that with accur
acy must of necessity remain matter Of opinion until
experience upon which to base assertions But have heard
the statement made by who very close touch with
work going Spyads that the dmnuon which they
apphend the indirect result of this legislation will certainly be
much rs per
SENATOR KENYON Does that apply to die aerop.ane por
duction also?
Mr. COLBY am not discussing aeroplane production Sem
aor have become by intention, most naownded and
centrated person. look neither to the right the left Some
body asked the other day about the conditions another depart
ment of the Government and sad 81 ignorant that
than you pick to nterrogate We have task
almost beyond faculties certainly completely deserves
energies of the working it, and say neither to the
right the left talking you about the effect of the
proposed legislation in the shipyard.
SENATOR THOMPSON. How do YOU arrive at thai? You
say there is nothing to base it
MR. COLBY | was at pains to say that it was matter of
opinion.
SENATOR THOMPSON. Yes.
MR. COLBY | will tell you how that opinion was reached
you would call severe, hard toll men are engaged in
work that taxes their muscular power They work conditions
that very trying their physical condition They are many of
th of foreign birth and extraction They are accustomed
to mode of life in which this legislation constitute most
violent change They are of them simple men; they
who have been trained early childhood to REGARD
THESE NDULCENCES AS INNOCENT; to regard their use of
these stays and Smuants the PERSONAL RIGHTS;
to look upon their withdrawal NOT ONLY HARDSHIP BUT
AN USTCE and you realized the pains that we have been