New-York tribune., 1921-10-21
Inquiry on Ship
Board Is Urged
In Both Houses
Senator'S and Representa-
tives Alike Prepare Reso-
lutions Demanding Full
Facts as to Operation
Seek Foreign Rule Truth
Underwood WantsR Rumors of
Sinister Interests Under
mining Marine Run Down
From ras rrsoune's washs~osor Bureau

From Ths Tribure's WashSrotor Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2o.--The United
States Shipping Board WAS under Are
,o.dav a. both ends of the Capitol.
MANY indications were given both in
ssnate and House that storm is about
to break over the board, the conse-
ouences Of which may be farreaching.
Senator. poindexter. of Washington,
,p.roduced in the Senate resolution
,all;ne for statement of the indebted
ness of the Shipping Board. 1t was
adopted after debate in which there
vas sharp criticism of the board.
Representative Ramseyer, of Iowa,
oeered in the House resolution call
irc for exhaustive information regard
ing the Shipping Board and Emergency
Fleet Corporation property and per-
sonnel. 1t was referred to the Mer-
chant Marine Committee.
Senator Borah announced that in the
near future he would call on the Ship
ping Board for complete statement
as to personnel and salaries. He also
intends to offer a resolution soon for
a sweeping investigation OF Shipping
Board affairs and policies. One pur-
pose of this inquiry will be to go to
the bottom of charges and intimations
that foreign interests" are influencing
the boards policies.
Representative Sweet. OF the House
Interstate Commerce Committee, to-
morrow will introduce in the House a
resolution to transfer to the Depart
ment Of Commerce, of which Secretary
Hoover is the head, the Shipping Board
and Emergency Fleet Corporation prop
erty and activities.
Hating of Sales Sought
In addition to these, a resolution Is
incubating in the House intended to
halt the board in it's sales Of property.
With the board under q converging
attack from different directions in Con-
gress, there is every indication that the
remainder of the extra session and the
coming regular session will be marked
By much interest in Senate and House
In merchant marine affairs.
Senators have been told from what
they consider responsible sources that
"foregn interests are controlling the
American merchant marine policies.
Senator Poindexter's resolution called
forth an animated debate and demands
for complete invest lgaticn to de-
termine the facts as to the charges Z
ineficiency against the BOARD ay,d ne
extent of alleged sinister Influences"
which are declared E e- working to
remove American s..ips from the
SEES.
Senator IL e ette asserted he was
preparing "so-.e err interesting data"
which h would : IA tay before the
Senate. He alluded to a resolution he
bad previously introduced calling for
full investigation of the Shipping
Board and the influences which had
controlled shipping in the United
States. He said ne had twice en-
deavored to have this adopted by the
Senate.
Counsels Complete Inquiry
Senator Underwood declared the Sem
ate Commerce Committee should go
to the bottom of the whole situation.
Much Of the current criticism in news
papers as to losses In operation, he
heid, was unjustifed. as the losses
were sustained chiefly through de-
probation.
Senator Poindexter said he had
recently sought to obtain information
as to certain claims in which con-
stituents of his were concerned and
had been refused it.
Senator Borah criticized the board
for not economizing. He pointed out
that it was alleged that when the new
board took charge there were 5000
auditors and now there are 1.400
Senator Underwood declared that for
over 100 years there had been "e
sinister interest" in this country to
Keep American ships off the seas and
since the war there had been call kinds
Of rumors" with regard to the Shipping
Roord