The New York herald., 1922-03-01
81 MILLIONS YEARLY
ASKED HARDINGIN
ship SUBSIDY BILLS
Both Houses Get Measures
Following Message in
Joint Session.
TO DIVERT CUSTOMS
Tonnage Tax Also Proposed
to Aid Building Mer-
chant Marine.
SHIPS TO BE RETURNED
Ownership by Private Inter-
csts and Shipping Board
Sales Favored.
SHIPS TO BE RETURNED
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. G.. Feb. s8. Il

washington. -. o.. Feb. @8.
President Harding presented to a
joint session of Congress in the House
to-day the Administrations plan for
Government aid for the American
merchant marine.
Tn brief the project contemplatcs
the return to private interests of the
United States merchant ships built
during the war under conditions which
Will insure to reasonable extent a
profitable investment. The President
would thus end the costly expert
rnent" Of the nation in the shipping
,hilsissess
Fhe salient points in the President S
proposal were embodied in bills intro
ddeed in both branches OF Congress i'm
mcdiately after he completed his adj
dress. at the request of the Shipping
Board. They were as follows:
Ten per cent. of all customs duties
are to be used as a revolving fund to
raise about s30.000.000 annually to
provide aid for the merchant marine.
Tonnage taxes. amounting to about
s2.000.000 per annum, to bea paid
inap same fund.
Provision that not more than so
per cent. of the immigrants to the
United States be transported in for
eign ships.
Sale of the ships now held by the
Shipping Board and the use OF the
funds for construction loan purposes.
To authorize the induction of
american merchantmen officers and
salors into the naval reserve, with
the extra allowance in pay.
Reduction of income taxes on ship
ping corporations equal to 5 per cent.
OF the value OF goods shipped under
the American flag.
Direct Government aid to be with
held when companies are earning
more than 10 per cent. profit or when
okioyernmcnt aid has been extended
profits over 10 per cent. are to be
|rned over to the Government
Osher Indirect Aids.
IN his address the President detailed
Indirect aids which might be employed.
including suggestion OF an amendment
or the Interstate Commerce act to per-
NIT railway systems to own and operate
\ steamship lines engaged in other than
kcoastwise trade.
' He suggested making effective the
Hiding for preferential rail and steam-
nsp rates on through shipments on
erican ships, and making marine in
nee available at no greater cost than
forded to ships under foreign flags.
Importance OF a national mer-
marine because OF the suspension
Wal construction as a result of the
mt arms conference was emphasized
the President He declared that in
circumstances no nation can hope to
Id high place in the commercial
Forid or be assured OF adequate de-
snse.
Drhe President also recommended the
hcontinuance so far as possible OF the
Paratc transport services In the army
navy. and I'm this connection he de-
MI, the merchant ships under the
IAN flag should be agents of SER
b peace as well as In war.
Imbcrs OF Congress followed the
sidents address with interest. Con-
krable applause greeted his remark
at this nation Is determined that It's
bcrchant marine shall be commensurate
lith hs commercial Importance. When
he referred favorably to the st. Law
>cncc River project members OF Con-
Tess from the middle West applauded.
rhe president turned from his writer
dress to observe that I'VE are now
operating 400 ships and there are 400
/more available for service"
Measure 10 He Rushed.
The ship subsidy bill introduced In
the House will be taken up by the Mer-
chant Marine Committee In ten days.
according to Chairman Greene. who in.
froduced tho bill. Representative Greene
said hearings win be. rushed and an
earnest effort will be made to get the
measure through the House In record
time.
Senator Jones (wash). chairman Of
the Senate Commerce Committee. who
has charge OF the Senate measure, an
nounced that he would make an effort
10 arrange with Chairman Greene OF
nHKac. House Committee for joint hearings
nnicasurc. In that way. he pointed
80 can be saved 80 as 10 as
the measure at this see
aite Sulphur Springs, w.
pm New York. splendid
door sports.-Adv.