The New York herald., 1922-06-14

cpectdt DtSpdtcH 70 IHB NEW iOkk tIEHALD
New York Herald Bureau,l
Washington, d. c.. June 13.
President Harding is determined to
Gall an extraordinary session of Con-
gress to force the passage of ship sub
sidy legislation if an adjournment is
taken without acting on it.
In letter dated May 26, but made
public for the first time to-day, ad-
dressed to Chairman Campbell (Kan.)
of the. House Rules Committee, the
President expressed the hope that a
rule would be adopted so as to permit
early and final consideration Of the
merchant marine bill at this session.
The letter follows:
my DEAR CONGRESSMAN CAMPBELL:
Il understand that in very short
time the merchant marine bill Is to be
favoraby reported to the House. l am
writing to express the hope that your
Committee on Rules will report whatever
provision is necessary for its early and
final consideration. / cannot convey to
you how very earnestly feel the neces-
sity of passing this act.
80 much is involved and such diff
ficult and discouraging situations will
follow IL Congress fails to sanction the
merchant marine bill that should feel
myself obligated to caIl Congress im-
mediately into extraordinary session
to specially consider 1t II 1t were,
through any neglect. to delay beyond the
present term.
Depends ON Rules Hoard.
'I should be more than glad to CO.
operate in any way that l can in i'm
pressing the House with the urgent
necessity OF the favorable consideration
of this bill. l am writing an expression
of my earnestness to you at this time
because l understand it is within the
province Of the Rules Committee to re-
port a provision under which there may
be secured early. and hope favorable,
consideration.
Very truly yours,
WARREN G. HARpINu."
Representative Edmonds (Pa.), who is
in charge of the subcommittee which
has the subsidy bill under consideration,
announced to-day that the bill had been
completed that 1t would be submitted
to the full committee within the next
few days and reported to the House tho
last part of this or the first of next
week
This throws the issue directly up to
Chairman Campbell. who has not indi-
Gated whether he approves or disap-
proves Of the ship subsidy bill. He re-
fused to-day TO make any comment
on the Presidents letter or to express
his attitude on 1t.
But under threat of an extra session
the House leaders to-day showed signs
of bowling before the Executive will
Despite the fact that there is consid-
cradle opposition to ship subsidy legis-
iation among Representatives from the
Middle West. IL was thought that
sufficient pressure will be brought to
bear OH Mr.. Campbell to have the
Rules Committee report out a rule per-
mitting 1t to be brought up for con-
sideration within the next ten days.
Democrats start Fight.
The opening note of the determined
fight which the Democrats will make to
prevent or delay the passage of the
subsidy bill was sounded on the door of
the House to-day. Representsti tives
Garrett (Tenn.). Garner (Tex) and
Davis (Tenn) voiced their disapproval
Of it and protested against ship subsidy
legislation having priority over the
Muscle Shoals project. Mr.. Garner said
he had heard that a conference with Re-
publcan leaders had pressed the shin
subsidy bill and expressed disapproval
Of the plan to let Henry Ford have
Muscle Shoals. He predicted that this
action would arouse considerable oppo-
sition to the Presidents plan for a sub
sidy bill
There Is virtually no change In the
construction fund of the subsidy bill ex-
cept that IL has been made explicit that
ths is n revolving fund, the amount re-
naming at s125,oo0,000 and the interest
at not less than per cent. The taxa
tion features are practically the same as
those contained In the merchant marine
act OF 1920.
The doubling of the tonnage taxes as
provided In tho old bill is retained In the
new bill, except they are not doubled
lHon power vessels of under 1900 TONS
or sailing vessels OF under 1000 tons, IL
being contended that as these vessels are
not subject to compensation they should
not have to pay extra tonnage tax
new immigration clause was added
to the bill which would add that as
nearly as practicable nearly one-half of
the total immigrants admitted to the
United States should be transported in
vessels registered. enrolled and licensed
under the laws of the United States
The carriage of first second and third
class mails Is provided for in the BILL
the Post Office Department to make the
contract directly with the vessels for
carrying parcels post
II was endeavored, according to Mr.
Edmunds, TO bring about an understand
ing between, the Interstate Commerce
Commission and the Shipping Board. for
arranging a joint commission to clarity
the situation In regard TO through
freight. SO that something approaching
the correlation between rail and water
carriers In foreign countries could be
obtained in this country by our con-
Meeting rail and water lines.