Republican farmer., 1920-02-20
PUBLIC AUCTION OF
 EX-GERMAN LINERS:
 BIDDING IS BRISK
President of Internation- al Mercantile Marine Offers $14,O50, ,O0O For Nine Vessels - All Must Be Operated Un- der American Flag.

Washington, Feb 16-Presl- dent Wilson will inform the Senate euphatically that there is no basis" for the report of a secret agreement between the Shipping Board and the Brit ish interests for the sale of the 30 former German passenger liners, 1t was announced today at the White House.
 The presidents message will be in reply to the resolution of Senator Rrandegee, Republican, Connecticut, asking for information regarding the report The resolution was adopted by the senate last Saturday.
 Just before the White House an nouncement was made, the public Aact1on at which bids for the ships were received began at the Shipping Board
 Chairman Payne was unable to con- duCt the auction, as he had been summoned to appear in person in the I district supreme court in proceed of New York, for an injunction to
  A. Scott acted for him
 P. A S Franklin, President of the International Mercantile Marine, of 6sred a conditional bid of $14,050, 900 for nine vessels for the service to the United Kingdom and northern Euro pean ports
 The vessels covered by the bid were the Leviathan, George Washington, America President Grant, Nansemond,
 
 todza and CaIlao- The offer was con- didonal upon an agreement by the Shipping Board not to enter into com- petition with these vessels in this ser vice
 Moore and Mccormack offered $4,- 5oo,O0 for five vessels for the South American service, and the Munson Steamship Line a conditional bid, ap- pruximately S3,SSo,250 for the same vessels. the Martha Washington, Aeolus Huron, Princess Matoika and the PocahOntas-
 George w Goethals, American Ship and Commerce Corporation, offered $1o,ooo,0oO for six vessels for the Hamburg and Bremen service. the bid being quickly raised to s10,5O0,000 by President Franklin of the Interna- tional Mercantile Marine. The yes sels are the George. Washington, Martha Washington, America, Presi- de1t Grant, Nansemond and Cal1ac. ,@ In opening the auction Mr Scott read a memorandum fro-n 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
 The memorandum said these pro- ceedingS were expected to be con cIuded within two or three days, but that in any event checks received with the bids would be returned by SatN.- day if the sales were not consum- mated
 Connmfssdoner Scott said the term, of the sale would be arranged to sui the convenience of the board and tn prospective purchasers and that al ships sold must be operated unde the American flag.
 Among the shipping men presen weEe F. A. S. Franklin of the In terna atfona1 Mercantile Marine; Gee w G6ethals. The American Ship ( Commerce Co; A " Moore of tn Moore &5 Mccormack Go. and Phi Deronde of the Oriental Navigation Co.
 The first vessels offered were tn Black ArroEE, the Amphion and tn Phdlippfnes. composing the group O the Black Sea Service. No bids wer offered for them