New-York tribune., 1921-10-23
Little Chance
For Ship Bills
At This Session
Taxation, Tariff and Treaty
Block Consideration Of
Measures ON Shipping;
Defer Jones Act Policy
Many Hearings Postponed
House Committee Studies
Pending Bills; SenateCom-
niittee Awaits New Year

Consideration Of shipping legislation
has been blocked during the special
session Of Congress and will not be
undertaken actively until the regular
session In December, according to lead
ers Of the House Committee on Mer-
chant Marine and Fisheries and tho
Senate Committee on Commerce. From
present indications no important meas
ures affecting the merchant marine
Will come to vote in the House or
Senate before the first Of the year.
Three factors have combined to pro-
duce this situation--frst. the pressure
Of important matters on taxation, tariff
and the necessity Of taking up the
treaty OF peace with Germany; second,
the failure Of the Shipping Board to
present program Of legislation; and,
third, the desire Of the Administration
to defer controversial questions until
the Conference on Limitation Of
Armaments has been concluded.
The German treaty has been ratified.
and delayed other Issues. Taxation
and tariff bills both have the right Of
way in Congress and prevent a study
OF shipping problems.
Linked With Arms Issue
The Shipping Board program and the
disarmament situation are linked to-
gether. The board at the suggestion Of
the Administration has deferred a def
mite policy of the Jones act and other
legislation until the conference has
been held. Early next year, it is an
ticipated, the board will take a stand
on many isues.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on
Merchant Marine and Fisheries intends
to hold hearings on O number of bills.
Meetings have just been finished on
the Edmonds bill to place the services
Of the Panama Steamship Company
under the supervision of the Shipping
Board, and also to eliminate the army
transport activities in the Pacific in
favor Of private companies. The bill
to require loadlines on American ves-
sells has been the subject Of hearing.
A conference will probably he held
shortly on the Edmonds bill to amend
the La Folletts act by increasing disci-
pline at sea. This Is now the subject of
study by the American Steamship
Owners Association. which has "a spe-
cial committee drafting recommends
tlons to Congress-. It is understood
that the House Merchant Marine Com
,ntttee is ready to set the date FOR a
hearing at any time that Is convenient
to the shipowners.
Won't Press Matters
The House Committee, during the
interim of debates in CONGRESS-. is piv-
ing considerable time to an inve stiga-
tion of shipping legislation, but has no
intention of pressing matters on the
floor.
The Borah bill 20 exempt American
coastwise vessels from the payment Of
Panama Canal tolls, which passed the
Senate last week, is now before the
House Committee. AT the request Of
the President this will probably be
lefc dormant during the conference on
disarmament. Members of the House
are willing to break sway from the
leadership of the Administration on
this issue and force vote in the SEN
ate, but 1t is expected that these in
surgent representatives can be kent
in line successfully.
The bill to permit the incorporation
OF marine insurance companies In the
District Of Columbia, which is de-
signed to remove many existing handi-
caps, such as the taxation Of eross
premiums instead of net profits. is
ready for consideration at any time by
the House and Senate. 1t has been re.
ported by committees in both branches.
after extensive hearings, and awaits
an opportune time for debate and vote
1t is learned that no attempt will be-
made to advance this measure at pres
ent.
The Senate Committee on Commerce
IS not active. Senator Wesley L. Jones,