The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-14

John Barton Payne. chairman ot the board, appeared before the Senate commerce committee. to explain the wtole affair, and after hearing him the committee. through it's chairman Senator Jones of Washington. reported to the Senate that no immediate ac- ton was necessary, No action accord iusly was taken
 At tho White House there was mad public letter concerning the pro posed sale sent by Mir. Payne to the President which remarked on inc vicious but characteristic attack against the shipping board emanating from a certain quarter regarding the sale of the eN-German passenger ships"
 In tho District of Columbia SUI prcmc court William Randolph
 Hearst of New York appearing as taxpayer. filed an application for sn injunction 10 prevent the pru-
 posed S'rtc of the ships at auction Monday.
 The court issued an order re-
 curing the board to show cause
 h"ndny vhy temporary ipjunc-
 ton should not he isSmed,
 MERELY REj EIN E BIDS
 Chairman Payne assured the Senate committee. and his assurances were re- lated to the full Senate that the board would merely receive bids Monday for the vessels and would report, the re- suits to the Senate before acting}
 He met charges that the sale of the vessels Co single purchaser for S2SoHO.GO0 waS intended wit' ' Tat dentni. hut repeated his own
 conclusion That the sale of the yes seiS fo American private owners at the present time was to the advnn-
 t'se of the government. Senator Ashurst. democrat Of Ari- aona, opened the debate and later l brought it to head 9y offering con- l current resolution directing the ship- i ping beard not to sell the ships eNcent ! through regular bidding after three ] months advertising. i tie and the senators ,Supportin;.
 tbe resolution declared inc boards
 action wouid result ir the sale of
 vessels worth s&00 u ton and marc
 Co private interests for around ss0
 t0p, 'i'te nasSibiiify that the-
 mislst % 70 tnaiish osyncrshi, WIS
 stronHis irtimated by opponents "f the 'n'nedlfttr sale. i Discussing fullN with the co, tte. i considers tions promoting inc hoaiap4
 
 at sale Chairman Payne stated 'i arguemnts brieflSf outlined in the fe | ter 10 the President witch. as givca 1 out at the White House. follows.
 MIR. PAYNES LETER
 In view of the vicious attack against the shipping board emanatina 1 from certain quarter regarding Inc i sale or the eN-German passenger ships l may estate the simple facts
 'i. The ships are to he sold fo
 Americans only, and will sail under 1 the American flag. will serve tb~ { routes which. in the opinion of th-
 shipping board will best serve
 American commerce, and will ai-
 ways he nvaiiaIbic to fhr goycrn- i mcnt in case of my national emcr-t
 geBcy.
 "2. None Of the ships will be soIe i to England, or to any foreign person l corporation or country and will no hs I sold Q a single company or single in terest. but Co as many companies as possible,
 "9. Before deciding to offer the-sA [ for sale the board aseertained: | "ta) To make them over from tro to passenger ships, as must be dom. $57 GOO. 900 and the others in the sar to make such an expenditure of pu lie money.
 "tb) In view of prohibition. and deemed 1t probaAe that passens, tConfinued on Page Eieyent