The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-05-17
TO BLOCK GERMANS
IN PLOT FOR SHIPS
Government Program is to
Prevent Foe from Getting
Vessels After War
UNUSUAL POWERS
TO SHIPPING BOARD

Bill introduced in Congress to Prevent
Foreign Interests in Any Way from
Obtaining Financial Holding in Yards
or Ships
WASHINGTON, May IA compre-
hensive program to defeat attempts by
German agents to obtain an interest in
shipping now being constructed in
American yards, and to place contracts
for ships which would give preference
over other orders after the war has been
adopted and a thorough investigation
started which it is believed will un-
earth all efforts at intrigue of this ma
ture, which are backed by the central
powers.
1t has been suspected that German
capital, in various DISCUSSES, has been
endeavoring to obtain a foothold in the
shipbuilding situation. as in many other
industries of the nation. Under the
plan adopted, every safeguard will be
provided against such an emergency,
and indisputable evidence must be sub
mitted to show that German interests
are not involved in proposed dealings re-
lating to America Is shipping program.
Congress, the shipping board the
war trade board. and the alien property
custodian are all involved in the fight
| to see that in this direction as we'll as
| in all industrial and commercial rela-
lions the central powers shall be dis
carded as undesirable. It is reported
| that the most subtle and questionable
| attempts have been made by German
interests to re-cstahlish themselves and
prepare for the future at the expense of
the United States and the allied nations
| The move now under way to fight the
| German agents is, in effect, part of
the broader program which has grad
uallv been put into force To strip Ger
many of financial holdings in America
and end any hope it may have had Of
| being able surreptitiously to retain its
holdings here and, if possible, add 70
them. SO that il could emerge from the
fwar in position TO take a commdhdina
place in international commercial rela
lions.
The scope of the plans as they affect
| shipping was made known today wher
the house committee on merchant ma
rine and fisheries, of which Representa-
tive John w Alexander is chairman
reported favorably bill giving the
shipping board unusual powers to pre-
Vent foreign interests in any way from
obtaining financial holdings in the ship
cards or vessels constructed. excep
with the unqualified permission of tn,
hoard. The representative asked tina
this bill, and another affecting rates
he placed on the calendar as war legis
lation
Mr.. Alexander explained that the leg
islation was designed to prevent Ger
man capital from obtaining a foothold
and indicated that offers and request
had been made through brokers. SOM
of which had aroused the suspicion tina
the agents of the central powers wer
at work
Hundreds of requests, it is said, hav
come through brokers and others 70
the right to place contracts for the con
struction of shipping in American yard
as soon as the American war program
IS completed, whether that point i
reached before the war ends or sooI
after.
While it is admitted that the larc
majority of these offers, many of whicI
are made in behalf of financial inter
cSts of foreign nations. are legitimat
and open to the most searching investi
cation, there is no intention on the par