The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-12
PROVISIONS OF NEW
MERCHANT MARINE BILL

! Washington, November n.-tSpecial)
The bill prepared by the merchant ma
rine and fisheries committee of the House
ito provide for the promotion and main
tenance of the American merchant ma
rine," seems on first blush to be bill
! for the disposition of the marine nucleus
constructed for war purposes, and which
/ is regarded in some quarters as an in
| cubuS.
! The bill authorizes the sale of vessels
without regard to the war cost of con-
struction, but does not provide for the
purchase or construction of new vessels.
1 II does not provide a subsidy or subven-
ton by means of which the United States
| can compete with other countries oper-
ating with very cheap labor. 1t does
provide for the sale of shipyards and
other property essential to sea enter
prises, and prevents the enlargement OF
| building programmes.
| While the advocates Of the measure de-
clare that II was the best that could
be produced without putting the United
States into the mercantile business, its
opponents, who are among those who
hoped to see the flag of the United States
| in every port competing for foreign bust
provisions, a merchant marine compar-
able to those OF other great sea pow
ers cannot be developed.
! The main provisions of the bill. as
contained in the explanatory statement
| of the committee, which make it possible
for every individual to form his own
opinion as to the merits of the document
prepared after exhaustive investigations
covering the past three or four months" "
follows:
| Repeats all previous legislation together
with the unusual power given the Presi-
dent in time of war, and transfers all
powers of construction and operation to
the shipping board.
| Directs the shipping board to sell jul
diciously to the citizens of the United
States available merchant tonnage at
| prevailing market prices with disregard
| to the war cost Of construction.
Directs the shipping board to sell to
| foreign countries the large number of
surplus small vessels not desirable for
| market exists.
| Authorizes the shipping board. IL 1t de-
sires, to maintain its own insurance.
Authorizes the shipping board to oper-
ate such vessels as are not sold, in such
manner as may be found to be neces-
sary, the action in this direction being
similar to the powers granted in the
original shipping act of 1916. Such pow
ers must expire within five years after
peace is officially declared This will
give an opportunity for the board to es-
tablish lines and handle any tonnage
that may be offered that cannot be taken
care of by other operating lines. Az
vessels must be operated under American
/ registry. 49,. N&
Authorizes the shipping board to sell
any property, shipyards, housing. street
| improvement in connection with housing.
transportation lines. passenger steamships
and plants producing materials used in
fitting out vessels in its possession.
| Directs that after July I, 1920. all re-
ceipts of the shipping board save sum
to be retained for operating purposes,
shall be turned into the treasury Of the
United States.
Denies the board the right to enlarge
upon the housing programme of other
buildings in connection Herewith, but
allows completion, if found desirable, Of
buildings already begun.