The Washington times., 1920-02-12

next Monday, but Chairman
John Barton Payne announced
shortly before noon that other
bidders may be present.
President Wilson has reiterated
his approval of the sale Of former
German vessels by the Shipping
Board, it was indicated at the office
of the board today.
John Barton Payne, chairman Of
the Shipping Board, called at the
White House late yesterday. 1t was
understood that his visit was in con-
nection with charges made in the
Hearst papers that these ships were
to be sold at low prices to syndicate
now operating all vessels under the
British flag.
President Stands Pat.
The President first gave approval
to sale of these vessels on or about
tion submitted to him by the Ship
ping Board. Officials of the board in
dicated today that the Chief Execu-
tive was prepared to stand pat on his
approval.
Judge Payne today Is going ahead
with plans for the sale, which is to
start here next week. He has notified
shipping associations to inform their
members of the sale.
Commissioner Il. A. Scott has re-
turned from New York with III omises
from several ship lines that they
will bid for vessels al!ocatcd to South
America
Payne today emphasized that every
effort will be made to get top prices
for vessels, even though it may be
necessary,to break up groups of ships
assigned to certain trade routes. The
board reserves the right to reject
bids regarded as too low.
The white House visit Of Chair
man Payne is regarded as tho
first direct result of the fight
led by the Hearst papers, and started
by the New York American. against
the handing over OF these great ships
to the International Mercantile Ma
rine for q sum slightly in excess Of
s2S, 100000.
The Shipping Board announces that
II the bids Monday are found unsat-
isfactory, the ships will not be sold.
But, not one officer within the board
has come out openly with declara-
ton that the bid of the international
Merchantile Marine Is unsatisfactory
Yet practically every shipping man,
outside of the company interested, has
condemned the price as preposterous,
pointing out that 1t is hardly the
price any one OF the larger OF the
great vessels would have brought
during the war.
While Chairman Payne was at the
white House a delegation led by
Michael +. Doyle, Of Philadelphia, ap-
peared before tho Senate Commerce
Committee.
Want Our Marine Greatest
They advocated appropriations of
sufficient size to make the Merchant
Marin~ of the United States tho
greatest in the world" They pre-
sented n petition which was backed
by 4OO, 900 shipyard wori,r.J and the
American Federation OF Labor.
These workers also went to tho
White House and presented the same
memorial to the President through
his secretary, Joseph Tumulty. In
phrase, this document was repe-
tition OF the famous rally cry: Don't
give up the shipsw
MIR. Doyle said to tho Senate Com
mittee:
1--WE believe that, no matter how
large an appropriation you find nccos-
gary for the merchant marine, tho
people OF the country will support
II. All OF the labor Organizations are
back OF our proposals. though tn"
people at large arc not orpanizo'
ind cannot be hoard"
Edyarh Keenan secretary OF the
shipwork ers' convention. at which
fcore,ruer ~ p.re q. Column AZ