The Alaska daily empire., 1921-03-18
SENATE MEASURE TO TEST SHIPPING BILL INTRODUCED Resolution Directs Attorney
 General to Determine
 Validity of Law. EXCLUDES CANADIAN LINE Clause Prohibiting Routing Of Alaskan BusinesA on
 Foreign Ships Opposed.
EXCLUDES CANADIAN LINE

Declaring that the discrimination against Alaska made in the so-called Jones Shipping Law, enacted by the last Congress as outlining the policy of the country relative to merchant marine, is contrary to the constitution of the United States, Senator Collins this Hlorning in resolution introduced ill the Territorial Senate instructing the Territorial Attorney General to test the law, opened a fight to have Alaska placed in the same category as the rest of the coulitry. The objectionab clause Of the Act is contained in Section 27 of the Mer- chant Marine Act of June 5, 1920.
 That section, said Mir. Collins, ex- cuding Alaska from enjoying the benefits of through routing over Canadian lines although bestowing the privilege of such through rout- ing on all other parts of continental United States. is a vicious one. Il an convinced he continued. that It Is a violation of Section 3, Article 1, of the Constitution of the United States. which provides that no pre- ference shall be given by any regu- lation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one state over those of another. tsar
 These conditions are set forth in the resolution introduced today which concludes. Now, therefore, The Attorney General is hereby in- to test and determine the validity of the Jaw in question, to the end that the discrimination against Alaska by the aforementioned pro- vision may be discontinued.
 Original Section.
 The original provisions Of the bill as Introduced in the lower House of Congress. stated MT. Col lins, applied alike to the entire country and was passed in that form by the House, When it reach ed the Senate. such an outcry had been raised against it in the mari time states. that an amendment was made in the latter body which read:
 That this section shall not apply to merchandise transported between points within the confidential United State excluding Alaska. over through routes heretofore or here- after recognized by he Interstate Commerce Commission, for which routes rate tariffs have been or shall hereafter be filed with said Commission when such routes are not part over Canadian rail-lines and thereon or other connecting water facilities and providing fur lher That this section shall not be- come effective upon the Yukon River until the Alaska Railroad shall be completed and the Shipping Board shall find that proper facilities will be furnished for transportation by citizens of the United States for proper handling of the traffic
 Exclusion Fought by, Grigsby.
 The exclusion Of Al2ska. said MT. Collins. was fought by the then Delegate George ?. Grissby who when he was not able to get a pro per allowance of time on -e floor of the House. cubmitted his argu- rleut in an exhaustive brief to the conference con'mittee Of the two Houses. In fact. 1t was result Of that brief that the Yukon River provision was inserted in the meas urc not being contained in the or ismu Senate amendment. NJ. Grigsby's effort to prevent the dis elimination against other sections sf Alaska, however, failed