Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-10
to
Push Ship
Subs.i@;;'s:$:::;'+ :: Il =
Calls ConftsW at White
House-lndicates He Is
Restive Over
Situation
Jeferis in Attendance
Jefferis in Attendance

Washington, May 9.-(Speeiai Tel,
egram.) - Representative Jefteris oi
Omaha was one of the republican
leaders in sympathy with the ad'
minis,ration summoned 10 the White
House Tor conference with the preSi'
dent tonight.
The conference was preceded BY Z
dinner at which the leaders were
the presidents guests.
Before the dinner tonight Presi
dent Harding made il clear that he
is rcstive over the lack OF eonsid'
Grafton given by congress to recon-
mcndations by the president
Heretofore. il was explained al
the White House. il has been Gus
tomary 10 regard recommendation.
by the president as OF little moment
The objcc, OF the present confer
cncc is to convince the republican
leaders that on the subject OF the
merchant marine the administration
is 100 per cent in earnest and pro-
poses to use every bit OF influence
X has to see the merchant marine
bill through.
Considers Marine Imperative.
The president holds that there
never was time in the history oi
the country when il was more import
TO. build up an American merchant
marine and he believes the only way
this can be done is by methods in
cluded in the so-called subsidy meas
urc.
1t is well understood that the
leading merchant marine nations oj
the world are banded TO prevent ths
building OF an American merchant
marine, and to wreck what has al
ready been done. The administration
is equally determined that tht
American flag shall not be driver
from the high seas.
The administration is encouraged
by the fact that the middle west
which has heretofore been the cen
ter OF objection to any merchant ma
rine subsidy, seems favorable to the
present measure. The middle wes
is reported to want the St. Lawrence
waterway project. and realizes it vii
not furnish its greatest value un
less the American merchant marine
is salvaged.
Symposium Keenly Regarded.
The recent symposium Of Nebraska
opinion, published in The Bee, which
showed sentiment in Nebraska II
favor of these two projects. ha'
been read here with keen interest BY
administration representatives a!
showing the trend OF western senti
ment.
Action by the president in sum
moning this conference is regarded
also as an announcement OF con
tinucd leadership Of congress by TN
president.
The president is convinced that tn
country expects him to assume thu
leadership, and his action in con
nection with the merchant marine
hill indicates he is determined tt
accept this added responsibility. Jus
as the whole force Of the administra
t;on was thrown into winning tht
fight over the navy personnel. SO Il
Will be thrown into the scale in tht
fight over the merchant marine.
The president explains he hae
hoped the merchant marine problem
would be regarded as so important e
the whole country that it would D'
elevated above partisan politics.
Representative Jefferis announced
tonight he will be unable to be pres
ent at the Lincoln republican meet
ing Thursday, owing to the press O
congressional business. He had hop
4 ed to attend. He now hopes to b
able to return to Nebraska some tim,
next week.