The New York herald., 1922-06-16
SUBSIDY FOES HAIL
ship LIQUOR RULING
Opponents in Both Parties See
an Opportunity to Defeat
Measure.
BANKHEAD OFFERS BILL
Proposes U. S. Withhold Aid
From Any Ship Carrying
Intoxicants.
Special Dispatch to THE NEw YoHK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., june Is.

Washington. ID. c.. june IS.
The Shipping Board policy Of allow
ing Intoxicating liquor to be sold
upon to-day by the opponents of the
Administrators ship subsidy bill as
possible means of defeating that
measure in the House.
These subsidy bill opponents. both
Republicans and Democrats. hope to
be able to win to their side many
votes from the powerful dry faction
in the House, which otherwise might
support the measure intended to main
tain a larger American merchant ma
rine. 1t seemed unlikely, however, af-
ter a careful survey, that enough
votes would be drawn away from the
subsidy bill to endanger it's passage.
Representative Bankhead (Ala.). a
vigorous dry, took the first step to-
ward forbidding the sale of intoxi-
cants aboard vessels flying the Amer
lean flag. He offered in the Merchant
Marine Committee an amendment to
the bill which would cut off Govern
ment aid for any ship carrying In
toxicating beverages.
There is little likelihood that the
amendment will be accepted when II
comes up for a vote In the committee
tomorrow. The majority of the MEM
bers are inclined to report the bill TO
the House In the manner In which 1t
was framed by the subcommittee of
the Merchant Marine Committee.
Offers New Excuse,
The discovery that intoxieants are
being sold on American ships, however
has served TO muddy the waters and
has provided a number Of the subsidy
bills opponents with an excuse they did
not have before to vote against the
measure The tendency had been, due
10 the sharply divided opinion over the
bill, TO let II slide over to the next ses-
sion.
President Harding's letter came along
a few days ago insisting that the biz
be passed and threatening an extra
session II it failed. The opponents Us
the bill consequently felt they would
be In the position OF interfering with
the Presidential program. The ad-
however. has brought a reason fot
opposition which they hope will win
applause not only from the enemies o.
the subsidy scheme. but also the drys
OF their home districts.
Chairman Lasker OF the Shipping
Board had luncheon to-day with Presi-
dent Harding and they discussed the
situation. Mr.. Lasker upon leaving the
White House declined to add anything
further to his contention that Ameri-
can ships cannot continue In business
unless intoxlcants are sold or his pre-
vious statement that a merchant marine
be maintained without the sub
sldy bill.
Both the Senate and House were In
en- uproar over tn, situation. Senator
Caraway (Ark) on the floor attacked
Daugherty, Mr.
Lasker and Wayne b. Wheeler. legis-
lhtive superintendent of the Anti-saloon
League, because OF their attitude
toward the sale of liquor aboard Amer
lean ships. His assault was bitter.
Similarly In the House there was a
lcng discussion OF the subject
re.t Case Probable.
Nothing OF late has caused such a
furor as the sale OF liquor aboard
Government vessels. IL will be an issue
Indefinitely. according TO all prospects,
and will keep bobbing up time and
again until there Is a settlement. AS
to the legal aspects. Attorney General
Daugherty will not give an opinion until
asked for It. 1t Is likely that a test
case viii be necessary to decide the
issue.
Evidence OF this was contained in a
long statement issued from Anti-galoon
League headquarters, wherein Mr..
Wheeler demanded that the three-mile
limit. long established by international
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