Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-04-30
MEASURE To BOOM
J.. s. COMMERCE
Senate Bill Provides for America
First Marine Policy.
SHIP BOARD is CREATED
:ndeavors to "unshackIe the United
States commercialIy"-saIe of
Vessels TO Foreign interests
Would Be Prohibited.

Washington, April 20. - Establish
ment OF an American-first policy for
the development of the American mer-
chant marine is provided in bin
drafted as a substitute for the house
merchant marine bin by the senate
commerce subcommittee and made
public by Chairman Jones, who plans
10 report ii to the full committee this
week.
Coastwise shipping, the bill pro
vides, must be entirely American
owned, while IS per cent of the stock
of corporations engaged III foreign
trade must be held by American citi-
zens. Sale of American ships to
foreign interests would be prohibited
by the bill, without the approval of
the shipping board, which the act
creates.
Removes Commercial ShackIes."
The bin also would prohibit the In
terstate Commerce Commission from
exercising authority already existing
. TO grant preferential rail and water
freight rates on exports or imports, as
well as passenger rates, unless Ameri-
can-owned vessels were used. Upon
the boards recommendations where
American-owned ocean transportation
facilities are inadequate. the commits
sion would be authorized by the bill,
however, to suspend this section. In
order to permit this discrimination,
h.
ninety days of his passage, to term
mate treaties restricting the right OF
the United States ito impose discrim-
mating duties or tonnage dues on
foreign imports or foreign vessels
This simply unshackles the United
States commercially so far as its mer-
chant marine is concerned and will
enable it to pass such laws as It may
desire to pass for the announcement
Of the merchant marine" Senator
Jones said today. In providing for
the preferential rates he declared the
bill only proposed a policy similar TO
that under which Germany. Japan and
other countries have built IN their
export trade and maintained their
shipping.
AS already announced. the hin
would place the present government
owned merchant feet under the dlrec-
tio1 of shipping board composed of
seven members. which would be an
thorized to operate the ships under
charter or otherwise and develop the
foreign trade of this country through
the establishment of new trade routes
by means of private enterprise if pos
sible or through government operation
if necessary.
Defines Policy of Board.
The bill defines the policy to be fol-
lowed by the board and directs attzn-
ton to the fact that the national de-
Tense and likewise the proper growth
of American commerce require mer
chant marine of the best type of ships
sufficient for the greater portion of
commerce ultimately to be owned and
operated by private American citizens.
1t specifies that the board must do
what may he necessary to accomplish
this purpose.
Inc mouse Dill directed the board to
sell the government-owned merchant
ships as soon as practicable. but the
senate bin provides that they shall be
disposed of ''as soon as practicable.
consistent with good business methods
and the objects and purposes to be
attained by this act"
Ships Of foreign, owners who are
guilty of giving preferences or rebates
or discriminating against Americans in
violation of existing statutes would be
barred from American ports.
Amendments to the La Toilette sea-
mems act also are appended to the
measure, designed to carry out recent
Supreme court decisions and bring for
eign seamen up TO American standards.
EIDE nM ntHrn 40 NnatrA4.