New-York tribune., 1921-11-09
Senate Calls In
Rail Contracts
In Ship Inquiry
viii Force Sweeping Probe
of Agreements Among
u. S. Roads and Foreis A.
Owned Steamship Lines
Merchant Fleet Handicap
Jones Pictures Situation as
Startling and Declares
Heroic Steps Necessary
Frosa 'Ae Trsoune's wasAinotom Bayraa

Fros. TAe Trsoaae's Woshington Earrou
WASHINGTON. Nov. S.-A-The Senate
to-day, on motion of Senator Jones. of
Washington. adopted resolution cali
iag on the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to send to the Senate copies of
sn agreements between the railroads of
the United States and foreign steam
ship lines and all information In the
Nes Of the commission as to the amount
Of freight handled in pursuance of
these agreements
The resolution was unanimously
adopted, after Senator Jones had mic
tured the situation existing by reason
Of these agreements as startling" and
after he had declared that heroic stens
we're necessary If the American mer-
chant marine was to be DEVELOPED in
the face of the influences seeking to
hamper it.
PLAIN indication was given of a pur-
pcse on the part of Senators to force
sweeping investigation, probably by
the Commerce Committee, into the re-
lationships between the railroads and
foreign shipping and into all influences
vrich are alleged to be seeking to block
marine bv this country.
Senator La Toilette has resolution
pending seeking to get at the facts as
to the opel alton of foreign shipping in
huences in the Shipping Board and
against American shipping. He gave
notice he would call this up tomorrow.
Jones Moved to Act by Letter
SenatorsJones was moved TO action
by letter which he had received from,
Henry C. Wiitbank, secretary of the
National Merchant Marine Association.
a. this letter attention was directed to
Tae contracts between American rail-
Soads and foreign shipping lines, in
cluding British, German, Scandinavian
rnd Japanese. The letter set forth that
IN the last year more than two million
tons of freight destined for foreign
markets was transported by the roads
involved in these contracts and deiiv-
cred to foreign shipping lines instead
OF American shipping. It declared that
many of the principal roads of the
country had entered into these agree
merts and had bound their subsidiaries
Is veil as themselves.
=. ihe Pennsylvania, Boston & Albany,
New York Central, Baltimore & Ohio,
reading. Boston & Maine, Grand
Trunk, Norfolk & Western, Atlanta.
birmingham & Atlantic, Missouri Pacific
and Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul
were named as among the roads in such
s<reements under the terms of which,
u appeared from the letter of Mr.. Wilt
bank and also from the statements of
senator Jones, the foreign shipping is
given free wharfage, free dockage, use
OF warehouses, special piers and grants
OF special and exclusive privileges i'm
DcrtHnt in character
Among the contracts to which atten
ion is called are, Boston. &. Albany
Railroad (New York CeatraD with the
Cunard Line and the Leyland Line,
Norfolk & Western Railway Company
agreement with Furness, Witty & Co.
IN connection with Chesapeake & Ohio
and Southern Railway Company; Bal
simore & Ohio Railroad Company
agreements with Johnston Line (Fur-
ness, Witty & Coz; scandinavian
american Line, Donaldson Line, North
German Lloyd Line; Pennsylvania
system, agreement with the Northern
Central Railway and Furness,
Witty & Co.; Pennsylvania sys-
tenn with the international
Aercsntile Marine Company for use
d piers. Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railway Company with the Osaka
Shosen Observation-Disclosures. Great North
err Railroad Company and the Great