New-York tribune., 1921-10-31

ctude such issues as the controversy
over tho movement OF Egyptian cotton
to the United States, which Is now on a
iair way. to settlement; the granting of
deferred rebates in tho West Indian
trade and the exemption of British and
Canadian vessels from the payment of
tonnage and light dues at Jamaica. The
British are expected to ask the inten-
tions of the United States in abrogating
those parts of commercial treaties which
restrict the right of the United States
to impose preferential duties and tom
mage dues, the restriction of prcfcren-
tial railroad rates to exports and i'm
ports carried in American vessels and
other government aids to shipping.
1t is known also that while the Ship
ping Board has recommended to Presi-
dent Harding that Sections 90 and 81
of the Jones act should be enforced, the
Administration has decided not to pre-
cipitate the issue before the arms con-
ference convenes, on the ground that
this would arouse international friction
at a time when harmony is to be de-
sired. The weight of the Administra-
sage of the Borah bill, cxempting
payment of Panama Canal tolls by the
House. though the President could not
restrain the Senate from acting on the
measure. There is n strong though un-
confirmed belief that the Admin!stra-
tion was not greatly opposed to the Sem
ate action, on the assumption that the
issue would prove to be good basis
for negotiation on any shipping prob
lens that might arise.
Cabinet Said To Be Divided
The Cabinet itself. it is understood
upon good authority, is divided on sew
eral questions. Secretary Hughes and
Secretary Hoover are reported to be
against application Of Section "a Of the
merchant marine act, directing the re-
vision of treaties, in the belief that
such action would endangcr the most
favored nation privileges which this
country has enjoyed through the trea-
ties. Thirty-two of these, with twenty
have been standing for more than a
century.
This situation answers the question
which many shipping men have asked
why the board has deferred the en-
forcement of the Jones act.
From present indications no definite
statement from the board may be ex-
pected until the arms conference has
adjourned. The board is not disposed
to act independently on tneSe issues,
which involve the foreign policy Of the
country. The matter has been placed
in the hands of the President, and the
commissioners will await cue from
the White House.
Chairman Lasker Is closer to the
President than many people realize.
No important shipping policy is an
nounced until the matter has been dis
cussed with Mr.. Harding. In the past
this has included such questions as the
seizure of the vessels from the United
States Steamship Company, the ap-
pointment Of the Claims Commission,
the request for an appropriation from
Congress, the decision to work out
plan of bare boat charter to replace the
existing ALLEGATION system, the selec--
ton of officials and the separation Of
the duties of the board and the feet
corporation. The President and Mr.
Lasker are in constant communication
through informal interviews, weekend
trips on the Mayflower and dinners at
the White House.
For these reasons it is considered
certain that the Shipping Board will
not act without the advice and consent
of the Administration. And at present
Mr.. Harding and Secretary Hughes,
concerned chiefly with the success of
the arms conference, have decided that
shipping issues must temporarily be
placed in the background.