The sun., 1919-06-28
Increase for Shipping Board.

that Of last year, when 1t amounted to
2.107.343,7is.
Increase for Shipping Board.
Increase in the Shipping Board fund
from SIZE, 900, 900 to s491,000.00o for
completion Of the Governments author
lied shipbuilding programme was APP
proved with but one dissenting vote at
a late session tonight held in an effort
to pass the bill.
Senator Cummins (Iowa) started the
fight against the measure over the Fed
eral Trade Commission item. He de-
manded to know why the reduction had
been made, paid tribute to the eff
cacy OF the law, and said he was not
ready to acquiesce in a serious restric-
ton of its usefulness now.
Mr.. Norris warned that the appropria-
ton could not be cut without offending
the country. AS a member OF the COM
mittee on Agriculture he had come close
ly in touch with the commissions work
investig ating the meat packers and con-
sidered It Of great value. The House
committee heard the commission, knew
why it wanted the money and granted
it; he understood the Senate committee
had not heard 1t at all as to the reduc-
ton.
Mr.. Norris was especially indignant at
the attitude of the Appropriation Com
mittee in ordering that 100000 of I'M
used funds from last year be covered
back to the Treasury. The fact was that
the commission did not have a balance
of $500, 900 unexpended 1t was only
$780,, 900 and therefore it would be physi-
cally impossible to return 100000.
Mr.. Pomerene (Ohio) defended the
commission and the law under which 1t
works. The public does not yet fully
realize its usefulness" he said. and
when 1t does II will be found resorting
more and more to the commission in
stead of to the courts for adjustment OF
business difficulties. Moreover, the last
Congress authorized the formation Of
export associations to help promote for
eign trade. These are under the super
vision of the commission. whose admins
trative work in this connection will
be highly important"
Sherman Raps Colver.
Mr. Sherman Gll.) denounced the
commission in vigorous terms. The
chairman of the commission, Mr.. Col
ver." he said, lis even now in Europe
destroying our export trade by making
unfriendly statements regarding it to
the Governments there"
Mr.. Norris was surprised. II saw
Mr.. Colyer this morning" he said. Mr..
Sherman admitted that the chairman
might have returned.
For the Appropriation Committee
Senator Smoot (utah) insisted that
the commission had received all the
money il needed and that 1t was neces-
| sary to reduce Government expenses.
Much OF the Government work. he said,
was being duplicated by departments.
For example, he cited that the State
Department, the Department of Com
| merce and the Federal Trade Commits
sion all have organizations for promot-
ing foreign trade which substantially
cover the same ground.
As to the Tariff Commission, Mr..
Smoot said all through the war ap-
preparations have been regularly made
| for IL at about uniform figures despite
| that tariff Investigations made during
the war and under war conditions
manifestly could be of no value what
ever in adjusting customs rates in the
| new conditions OF peace. The work
might as well be suspended until condi-
| tons were settled and useful work
could be accomplished.
Urges Hearing In Conference.
| let the Senate cut out the amounts st
said Mr.. Smoot. Then in conference n
could be decided on what figure to Ak
| after hearings"
That is exactly what I object to-" re.
| torted Mr.. Norris. The conference com,
mittee is not the place for legislation
| There is too much legslating there. II
should be done here, where we are en-,
titled TO know what is done End why"
| so far as l am concerned" said Mr.
| Smoot who obviously was getting hot fir
the cervical region. you can give il al
| to them, and we will make the fight later
! VIXEN time can be had for 1t. II cannot
be spared now with the necessity upor
us to pass these supply bills befor,
July l."
The virtue of economy is claimed fol
these reductions" said Mr.. Cummlns
so I would like to know how II hap
pens that this economical bill represent!
$500, 100000 more expenditure than Il
did when it passed the House."
Mr.. Smoot explained that provision.
had to be made for caring for soldiers
Increased appropriation for the ship pro
gramme and the like.
Also there is an item of $4,000. 90,
inserted by the Senate committee to bu,
the Cape Cod Ship Canal Some peopl,
will think that might reasonably wait,
interjected Mr., Norris.