The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-13
Seeks Injunction to Prevent
Sale of Thirty Former Ger
man Liners at Auction.
AC is AS TAXPAYE
Ashurst, of Arizona, De.
nounces Proposed Sale-Of-
fers Bill Prohibiting Same.

washington, Feb. 13,-(A. P.)
Application for an injunction
against the shipping board and
the emergency feet corporation
70 prevent the sale of thirty for
mer German liners at public
euction next Monday was filed in
The District of Columbia supreme
court today by William Randolph
Hearst, of New York, acting in
mis- capacity as a taxpayer.
Chief Justice Mccoy issued a
rule requiring the defendants to
show cause Monday morning
why temporary injunction
should not be issued.
Denounoes Proposed Sale.
Washington, Feb. 13.-The pro-
posed sale of thirty former German
ships by the shipping board was de-
nounced in the senate this afternoon
by Senator Ashurst, democrat, of
Arizona. He introduced concurrent
resolution directing the shipping
board not to sell the Thirty former
herman liners, which the board
ssplans 20 dispose of at public auction
here Monday, except through regular
/ public bidding after three months
advertising, and then only if proper
l offers are received.
r. In Midst of Debate.
Jhc resolution was offered in the
midst OF debate on the sale of the
Ships. Senator Ashurst declared it
was u fact that the shipping board
and the emergency feet corporation
Intended to sell the vessels to the In
Sernational Mercantile Marine for
tS28,000, 600. He said the vessels had
n pre- war value Of $154,000,000 and
a present value of $300.000,000.
Chairman jones, of the commerce
committee, previously had told the
senate he had no idea Il story tnat
The ships were to be sold to the In
lcrnational Mercantile Marine under
u secret understanding between the
board and British interests was true.
In introducing the resolution Sena-
or Ashurst said he did not intend it
is O. reflection on the shipping board.
He said, however, he wanted to pro-
lest against the sale OF the ships, as
they were a necessary adjunct OF the
navy.
McKellar Takes Part.
Semltor Mcclellan. democrat, Of
Tennessee, urged amendment of the
resolution so that gVvernment-b built
hips a. wei as the fkeized German
eBsels would be held from sale. He
declared none Of the governments
ship holdings should be disposed of
without legislation by congress-
The only theory which can Justify
the sale of these vessels at this time"
said Senator Fletcher, democrat, of
Florida, "is that the shipping board
las decided to sell every ship and
Fa ct the government out of the bust
iess of owning and operating ships.
III ii were left to me, | wouldn't sell
~ rowbou, at this time. We ought
MI to establish the policy until we've
la' d decent, adequate merchant ma
rine established. My view is that it
would he a scrioas mistake to sell"
Mckeiar Bill Blocked.
Later Senator Mckellar introduced
a resolution requesting the board to
lhostpone sale of the seized ships "un-
fihTurther action by congress" Inn
mediate consideration was blocked
ny Chairman Jones, of the commerce
committee, who said action should
be delayed until Chairman Payne
had been heard by his committee.
Senator Pomerenc democrat, of
Ohio, asked that "in view of the acute
situation the senate be notified
promptly what the board chairman
said to the committee so that, if nee
casary, a resolution could be adopted
efore adjournment today"
Resolution Referred.
After more than an hours debate,
Chairman Jones, of the commerce
committee, objected to immediate
consideration of the Ashurst resolu-
tion on the ground that concurrent
resolution should be referred to com
mittee. The resolution then was re-
ferre to his committee.
Congress Should Decide.
$n we are ever TO have an Ameri-
can merchant marine now is the time
for US to establish it," said Senator
simmons. democrat, of North Caro-
lima. He declared congress and not
the shipping board should decide the
national merchant marine policy.
IF the congress does not act soon."
he added, "the shipping board will
have sold the passenger ships while
we sit here inactive"
Senator Smoot, republican, of
Utah, interrupted to ask how Eng
land could offer $125 a ton for the
interest on money borrowed from the
United States.
; Senator Ashurst replied tYat II
England could get hold of this fleet
it would earn her enough not only
to pay the interest, but soon to pay
the principal"
Price "RldiouIous."
Senator Ransdell. democrat. Louisi- |
aaA, told the senate 1t was "ridicu- |
lo9s to think that the shipping board |
would sell the fleet at the price |
quoted" and Senator King. democrat |
tab. announced that while the debate |
was in progress he had talked with |
Chairman Payne, of the shipping
Board. on the telephone. and that Mr. |
payne had told him ,the charge is an
absolute falsehood and that no secret |
|sgreement had been arranged for the |
sale OF the tleet"
Senator Jones said Chairman Payne
vas to appear before the commerce |
committee this afternoon at his own 4
Request TO explain the reasons which /
Prompted the board to offer the ships |
fer sale.
phone this morning, said Senator Jones. /
and they advised me that they simply /
proposed to open bids and consider pro- /
|poSals Monday. After that they pro- /
3ese 10 take into Consideratiu all OF /
IL circumstances and decide whether /
isEg will accept amy OF the bids or re-
tuss AL OF them
Defendants Named,
IL Those named in the application az /
Aefendauts are the members OF the !
eard on the corporation known as the 7
klted states shipping board and the .
ArEcrcr fleet corporation.
Hearst through iis attorneys. !
|Nr Gov. Polk. Of III ssourl- former |
Bale. Of Texas former Act |
udEe Advocate General AuSfl |
iilistni A. Deiord.. told the court l
Wahia injury would he done the
Rrs and its people snd tHN-