Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-21
PRESIDENT DELAYS ACTION
AS TO TREATY ABROGAT|ON
Washington Believes He Will Await
Further Legislation by
Congress.
SURPASSED ITS AUTHORITY
Legislative BODY Went Beyond
Bounds. 1t Is Claimed, in Direct
ing Executives Action in Conncc-
tion With Treaty Relations.
SURPASSED ITS AUTHORITY
tBy Associated Pre,..l

WASHINGTON. Sept. 2O.-Belicf (
was expressed by administration
circles today that President Wilson
had decided to delay carrying out
the directions Of section "a OF the
new merchant marine act relative to
termination of certain commercial
treaties untn Congress reconvenes in
December. White House officials,
however. refused to discuss tho mat
ter.
Section "a OF the act directs the
President within ninety days of the
signing of tho bill, which became 4
law on Juno 4. to give notice to the
governments OF all countries parties
TO commercial treaties with the
United States that the provisions OF
any such treaty which restrict this
country In imposing discriminatory
import duties and tonnage dues on
foreign vessels will be terminated.
President Hnits Action.
The time for giving such notices
expired September 4, and though the
State Department was prepared to
forward tho necessary communica-
tions to the twenty or moro countries
affected tho President Is understood
to have halted the action.
Reconsideration OF section "a nv
he Congress Is awaited by the Prcsi-
dent, officials say, on the ground that
the full significance OF the provision
was not appreciated at tho time of
ts passage. Notice OF the intention
Iof the United States 10 terminate
UGH sections as restrain the impoui-
Ion of discriminatory charges, some
oiticiais declare. would result in abro-
Eation of about twenty-five COM
nercial treaties, including those
with the most important nations with
whom the United States is engaged In
radc.
AS an indication that the interim
ional consequences which might fol-
ow the Presidents serving the re-
luired notice, have not been clearly
oreseen, administration officials as
erted that so far the Presidents de-
ay has not brought forth any obiec-
ION from the trainers OF the bill.
Congress Exceeds Authority.
Despite the language OF the
Jones bin under which "the President
Is hereby authorized and directed" TO
give termination notices to tho sew
eral governments. high administrn-
tion officials maintain that the PrcsI
dent need not obey the demand OF
congress on the ground that the Con.
gress possesses no authority to direct
the chief executive upon n course 70
pursue in relation to treaty. On
the other hand II Is contended thar
the Presidents signature on tho
marine act obligated him to carry our
its provisions.
Precedent for refusing TO terminate
the commercial treaties in question
Is said by administration Officials to
be found in the refusal OF President
Hayes to comply with an act of Con-
gress providing for changes In a
treaty with China.
Distinct From Treaty Relations.
refusal by President Wilson to rec
nogize the force Of section 81 OF tho
act VIII in no way affect the remain
der or the Jones merchant marine act.
according TO governmental experts on
the shipping law. Chairman Benson.
or the Shipping Board. has said that
the various sections OF the act arc
expressly excepted by Congress from
the invalidity Of any other section or
sections and tho administration OF
the government merchant marine by
the Shipping Board is distinct from
the treaty relations between the
United states and foreign nations,