Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-02-16

Washington, Feb. 16.-Preldent
Wilson will inform the, senate tem-
phatically that there is mo basis"
for the report Of secret agreement
between the shipping board and the
British interests for the sale of the
thirty former German passenger -lin-
ers. It was -announeed today at the
White House. ~
The presidents message win be in
reply to, the resolution Of Senator
Brandegee; Republican, Connecticut,
report. The resolution was adopted
BY the senate last Saturday. 81
II Just before the white House an-
nouncement was made, the public
auction s4t which bids for the ships
wefe recAfved; Began at the shipping
board with Representatives Of more
thlht 8 score q Is shipping companies
ssass: - .Paynse. a..
81 :s 3 s;,,s ser,
ii,loned to appear IL person in the dis
nGs nsnaaipS IN Meaass
i of New York, for an Injunction to stop
the sale: Commissioner Thomas a.
Scott acted for him. 3
In opening the auction, Mr.. Scott
read a memorandum from Chairman
Payne, which said the highest bids
would have to be approved by the
senate commerce committee and the
house merchant marine committee,
and that acceptance Of any bids would
depend upon the outcome Of the in
junction proceedings in the district
court. Il n II.
The memorandum said these pro-
cecdings were expected to be con-
cluded within two or three days. but
that in any event checks received with
the bids would be returned by Satur-
day, II the sales We're not consum-
mated.
Commissioners Scott said the terms
the. convenience sof the board and the
prospective purchasers. and that all
ships sold must be operated under the
American; nag.
Among the shipping men present
were r. A. g. Franklin Of the Interna-
tional Mercantile Marine: George w.
Goethals. the American Ship 3 Com
nerce company; A iSV. Moore Of the
Moore & Mccormack company, and
cation Co. nj
Offers Made. Y
& The first vessels offered were the
Black Arrow, the Amphion and the
philippines, composing the group of
tho Black Sea service: No bids were
cffered for them.
The group composing the South
American service, the Eolus, De BAlb.
Princess Matoika and Pocahontas.
was then offered. .E.s IVA ..:.s5 "a T
No bids were received for these YES
sells nor for the Columbus, Venezuela
and Brazilian service ships, the Moe
caasin and the Otsego; the Southamp-
ton service vessels. the Leviathan.
Mount Vernon, Agammemnon and
Nansemond; the Hamburg service
shipa the George Washington, Martha
WashinStons Won Steuben and Amer
lea; the Mediterranean service YES
sells, the Antigone. Susquehsnna
and Powh4tan. Z 81 Il
one bid Tor one of the Black Sea
feet was received. It was $70o,00o
for the Black Arrow and was made
by the Oriental Navigation company
with the tlnd that the YES
sci would be retained In the Black
Sea service.
board insisted upon assurances that
vessels would remain permanently in
the service planned by the board, hui
be admitted that the board could not
put permanent re9tricti ions upon ths
use OF the craft. .5s:S .is q,
BIDS On Nine Gahips.
z. y. g. Ftanklin. preside dent- OF the
il sInternationals Mercanttle Marine, Of
fcred 4 condi ittpnal bid. OF 31A, o6o ., O0C
for nine vessels for service Ito the
United king and northern Euro
Pm re 'sss:.,. covered y .a. "a -,