The New York herald., 1921-06-09
LASKER APPOINTED
SHIPPING CHAIRMAN
President Also Names Six
Members of Board, In
cluding Chamberlain.
BIG TEST FOR HARDING
Will Be Called Upon to Act
on Treaties Under Law
Defied by Wilson.
BIG TEST FOR HARDING
AID FOR U. S. MARINE
Reduction in Tariff Duties for
Goods Brought in American
Bottoms Involved.
Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD,
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., June 3. J

Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., June y.
President Harding to-day made his
long expected selection of a chairman
and six members of the United States
Shipping Board. Albert d. Lasker OF
Illinois is to be chairman, with the
following additional selections: T. ".
O'Connor, New York, for five years;
former Senator George f. Chamber
lain, Oregon, for four years; Edward
c. Plummer, Maine. for three years;
Frederick !. Thompson, Alabama, for
two years, and Meyer Lissner. Cali
fornia, and Admiral w. S. Benson,
Georgia, for one year each.
The nomination of Mr.. Cham berlain
was confirmed in open executive ses-
sion and there seems little doubt that
the remaining members, including the
chairman, will be acted on favorably
Representative Byrne (Tenn.) and
Byrnes Is. Co. spoke unfavorably in
the House to-day of some of the
choices, but no objections we're heard
in the Senate.
The selection Of the board. which has
been one OF the hardest of President
Harding's tasks, will bring squarely be-
fore Mr.. Harding another heavy respon-
sibility in foreign relations which Presi-
dent Wilson refused to discharge In spite
of a specific declaration from Congress.
The merchant marine under which the
board is created made it mandatory
upon the President to make an end to
treaties with other nations which would
prevent this Government from discrim-
mating in favor of American ships
bringing cargoes from abroad, the
method of discrimination being that
there would be per cent. reduction in
tariff rates on goods from abroad
brought into American ports in Ameri-
can bottoms.
The act was approved June .. 1920,
and President Wilson was directed
thereby within ninety days ito give no.
tice to the several Governments respec-
lively, parties 10 such treaties or conven-
tions that so much thereof as imposed
any such restrictions OF the United
States will terminate on the expiration
of such periods as may be required for
the giving of such notice by the pro-
visions OF such treaties or conventions.
Ho refused to act and those treaties
are now in force. 1t devolves upon
President Harding and Secretary
Hughes to take the action Congress di-
rected. The alternative, of course. is
for the President to follow the same.
course taken by President Wilson, to
defy the law Congress enacted IL he
chooses to do so, and thereby again
place the legislative and executive
branches of the Government in conflict.
President Wilson. 1t is understood,
challenged the right of Congress TO In
terfere with one of his prerogatives. and
for that reason among others failed TO
denounce the treaties In the manner pro-
vided Should President Harding pur-
sue that course he will be subjected 10
criticism from leaders in Congress in
both parties.
The exact number OF treaties involved
i'm the situation Is not known. but Sena-
tors said they were sure there were more
than n score and that they involved ma
tions who we're among Americas keenest
competitors for command of the trans
oceanic shipping world.
Mr.. Iasker said he and members OF
the board are fully alive TO their grave
responsibilities and OF the Importance
OF action that they must take In the de-
velopment of world commerce.
1T will be the first duty Of the board. "
he said, 10 end Incompetence and make
OF the board business institution,
guided by business principles"
He pledged an economic administra-
tion and said the constructive programme
of the board would be to open foreign
markets, put the American flag on the
seas. and at the same time expressed the
hope that The patience and confidence Of
the public and Congress might be ex'
tended during what he knows will be n
difficult period as the board begins its
new responsibilities