The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-16
Resolution Passed Holding Up
Boards Disposal of Former
German Craft.
FULL REPORT ORDERED
OF Circumstances Involved.
Senators Ashurst and
Jones Have Tilt.

board was requested today by the
senate to defer sale of the thirty for
mer German ships for which bids
have been submitted until some def
mite senate action is taken on the sub
iect.
The senate again debated the sale.
with Senators Ashurst and McKellar,
democrat, Tennessee, seeking to put
the senate on record as opposing the
sale.
Without rollcall, the senate
adopted the McKellar resolution re-
quiring that the sale of the ships be
postponed until authorized by con-
gress.
The resolution also instructs the
shipping board to make a fun report
to congress OF the circumstances sug-
gested In its proposal to auction Off
the ships to the International Mer-
camille Marine for S2S,OOo,0
PREVENT SALE TO BRITISH.
So that the country may know the
shipping beard is at.empting to sell
ships worth at least $3.50 000, 900 20
the Morgan interests Of the Interna-
tional Mercantile Marine for o,OOO,-
000,' Senator Ashurst, democrat, Of
Arizona, urged in the senate this
afternoon that congress take imme-
diate steps to prevent the thirty Ger
man ships seized in American ports
after the entry of the United States
IN the world war "from being
knocked down for song to private
interests flying the British flag"
."DEFEAT BARGAIN SALE.p
Ashurst accused Senator Jones, re-
publican, OF Washington, chairman
OF the senate commerce commission,
OF sanding in the way" OF congress
slonal action to defeat the "baraain
sale OF the Leviathan and other ex-
German ocean liners.
Jones was severely criticised bv
Ashurst when he blocked unanimous
consent for immediate consideration
OF AShursts resolution To require the
shipping board to advertise the sale
OF the ships for three months and
then only to dispose of them with
the approval and consent of congress.
jones' attempt to defend John Bar
ton Payne. chairman of the shipping
board, was swept aside by Ashurst,
VINO W rnod him the American peo-
pie were sick and tired OF having
congress take orders from the admins
istration and tho government depart
ments.
Jones urged that Payne had prom
lsod the senate commerce commission
thai tho sale of "the ships will not
he perfected until congress has APP
proved the sale"
Payne was to soappoar before the
committee tomorrow, Sonos said. I'm
I'll the committee had gone thor
oughly into the matter" the senate
might rest assured the sale OF the
ships VIC nd not be consummated.
People Jeopardixed.
Senator MCkellar, democrat. Ten.
nesscc then urged his resolution 10
prevent sale senator Pittman. dem
ocrat. Nov Ia, moved the Mckellar
resolution ne laid ON the table. Upon
Jones suggestion, Mckcllar agreed 10
amend his motion TO refer his resoiu-
ton to the senate commerce commit
toe.
TT Is apparently Chairman Payne's
purpose that the ships should be sold
nt SelOOO.OOO, according TO his testi-
mony before the commerce commit
tee Mckcllar said. Unless we act
the rights Of the American people will
be icopardizcd, Payne Is taking bids
today apparently as II he wishes TO
complete the sale"
Senator owen. democrat, Of Okla
homa, said he was opposed TO the sale
OF the ships and asked that a record
vote be taken on the Pittman motion
TO rcfor the resolution TO committee.
Jones said the argument for the
resolution has been based on future
government ownership
Reflection on Board.
senator Thomas. democrat. OF
colorado, said the Ashurst- Mckellar
resolutions were "A reflection on the
shipping board" and urged the de-
l'Ht oI resolutions and an expression
OF confidence in the shipping board.
Senator Hitchcock. Democratic
leader offered an amendment which
would defer sale OF the ships until
the shipping board reports facts OF
tho sale 90 the commerce committed
~ the senate and the senate acts on
the report"
Senator Hitchcock said the prices
of these ships are low and held low
because ot the limited title to them
the United States can give with the
sale"
senator Mcclellan agreed to the
Hitchcock amendment TO facilitate
voting and because IL safeguards the
ships untl the senate acts on the
mutt,r."
senator Fletcher moved to make
the resolution affect ships formerly
owned tu whole or in part by cor
pur1iions. citizens or subjects OF the
imperial German government"
senator Mcclellan moved to fur
ihcr amend to designate the ships as
NOW being offered for sale by the
shipping board"
As amended and adopted the Nc
kvllar resolution read.
Resolved, by the senate of the
United States. That the United
states shipping board he and is
hereby requested 20 defer the selling
oi the vessels taken by the United
States formerly owned In whole or In
part hv "a corporation. citizen or sub
J,ct 90 the imperial German gov
eminent Tor which bids are now be-
ing received by the shipping board
during the war until the subject has
been considered by the COMMITTEES
now conducting hearings reported to
and acted upon hy the senate in ac-
cordancc with the suggestions made
by the chairman of the shipping
board"