New-York tribune., 1921-12-06
Direct Subsidy
For u. S. Ships
! Held Doubtful
Indirect Aid More Favored
in Array of Marine Bills
on Which Congress Is
Expected to Act Early
Tolls Bill Up to Harding
New Budget Gives Shipping
Board $5O.5OI. 900 Year,
i $23 900, 900 Reduction
From The r~o.ne,s wosnsmoto~ Bsreas

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Measures to
provide direct or indirect subsidy for
american vessels, to exempt coastwise
ships from payment of Panama Canal
tolls, to amend the La Toilette seamen's
act and minor bills on the merchant
marine are on the schedule for con-
sideration in the session OF Congress
beginning to-day. From present pros
pects the more important of these
bills will be taken UP early in the
year.
and Senate to-day showed that while
there is general disposition to ex-
tend aid to the American merchant
marine, the fate of direct subsidy is
doubtful. Much will depend upon the
nature of the proposition offered by
the President, who has let it become
known that he will send special mes
sage to Congress on the subject. 1t
is considered here that indirect assist
service, the establishment of naval
reserve with wages to offset the differ
ence between the American and British
scale, and preferential railroad rates,
stand good chance of favorable
vote. but that direct cash bonus does
not have the same strong support.
Favored by Edge and Jones
This is the sentiment of Senator
Edge, OF New Jersey, and also, it is
understood, of Senator Jones, chairman
az the Committee on Commerce. Rep
1esentst's' Edmonds, of Pennsylvania,
one - leading members of the
hel Merchant Marine Committee, has
announced that he favors a subsidy.
In the Senate especially there is a
strong feeling that the Jones law
should be enforced, including Section
IS Of the Merchant Marine act. It is
probable that no efforts will be made
to repeal this feature, but that other
forms of indirect aid will be formu-
lated.
The status of the Panama Canal tolls
b'li, which was passed by the Senate
and now lies in the House, is in the
hands of the President. This will be
brought up at any time that word is
received from the White House, and
the recommendations of the Admins
sratlon will have an important inf1u-
cnce upon the final vote Present in
cicatlons point to its adoption by q
majority equal to that in the Senate.
Inc budget submitted to the House
to-day by the President recommends
S50,50l 900 for the fiscal wear 1929 for
the Shining Board and Fleet Corpo-
ration. This compares with s73,595. 900
voted for the current fiscal year and
Si5U,000.00O actually expended in the
last year.
May Amend La Toilette Act.
Revision of the La Toilette seanlen's
set IN several important respects af-
fect1ng the right of crews to draw paw
IN foreign ports is or the docket for
the House Merchant Marine Commit
tee. The Edmands bill on this sub
Ject will probably be reported favor
tn ho Ano 80 L
load line bill, less drastic than that
introduced at the last session and
modelled along the lines of British
regulations, is. now under preparation.
Ihe White fisheries measure to extend
the Jurisdiction of the Department of
Commerce to Alaskan fisheries is on
the calendar of the committee. Tho
marine insurance bill providing
model law for the District of CoIum-
PA has been reported favorably to the
door OF the House and is ready for q
vote. which is expected to be favorable.
IN the Senate it is scheduled for ac-
tion by the Committee on Commerce,
The House committee is expected to
make favorable report on the Ed
munds bill to place the service and
rates OF the Panama Railroad Steam
snip Company under the supervision
OF the Shipping Board, and also to
NS'io''~c thS IeslQenL 20 TURN over
the business of the army. navy and
marine corps transports on the Pa
citic to commercial lines
The outlook is favorable for the
Sweet and Ramseyer bills to place the
Shipping Board under the Department
OF Commerce and to make further
Investigation of the activities of the
board. Amendment of the navigation
laws will be undertaken by the House
Merchant Marine Committee.
Bills to provide for overtime nav
Tor immigration and customs officials
are pending in the Senate Committee
on Commerce and will be the subject
OF hearings.
Both branches Of Congress are ex-
pected to give attention earlv NEXT
year to measures designed to eliminate
Eratuities and graft in ship stores and