The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-06-22
HARDING INSISTS
ON SHIPPING BILL
Vigorous Move by President to
Insure Its Passage by House
Disclosed to Public.
SPECIAL SESSION THREAT
Announces He Will Recall Congress
Immediately if 1t Ignores LegisIa-
tion-Republican Leaders Hurry
to Give Measures Right of Way.

SnlngIOn.-HreSluenC ddrulHS mas
indicated in a letter to Chairman
Campbell of the house Rules Commit
tee that he would call Congress in spe-
cial session if it failed to pass the ship
subsidy bill at this session. The Pres
ident's views were made public by
Representative Campbell on the eve
of the introduction of the subsidy bill
in the house in the face of marked op-
position among Republican leaders
and members in general.
The Presidents letter read as fol-
lows:
White House, May 26, 1922.
My Dear Congressman Campbell:
1 understand that in a very short
time the Merchant Marine bill is to be
favorably reported to the house. l am
writing to express the hope that your
Committee on Rules will report what
ever provision is necessary for its
early and final consideration.
cannot convey to you how very
earnest l feel the necessity of pass
ing this act. So much is involved and
such difficult and discouraging situa-
tion will follow if Congress fails to
sanction the Merchant Marine bill that
l feel l should feel myself obligated 10
call Congress Immediately in extraor-
binary session to especially consider
it if it went over through any neglect
or delay beyond the present term.
/ should be more than glad to CO.
operate in any way that l can in i'm
pressing the house with the urgent ne
cessity of the favorable consideration
of this bill. am writing an express
sion of my earnestness to you at this
time because l understand it is within
the province of the Rules Committee
to report a provision under which
there may be secured early and, /
hope, favorable consideration.
Very truly yours,
WARREN G. HARDING.
The publication of this letter was
followed up by statement at the
White House that constant pressure
could be expected from the admins
tration to bring about the enactment
of the ship subsidy bill According to
reports, the President was made to
feel that no greater disappointment
could come to him than failure of Con-
gress to push the measure through
One administration spokesman re-
marked that it was queer that mem
bers of Congress still came to the
President asking him if he wanted the
measure passed.
After the Presidents letter came
| out a discussion as to the legislative
program was precipitated in the house
Representative Garrett, acting Demo
cratic leader, questioned Representa-
tive MondelI concerning published re-
ports that the President was opposed
to the government accepting Ford's
offer to Muscle Shoals. Mr. Mondell
denied that the President had ex-
pressed opposition to the Muscle
Shoals proposal in his conference, adj
mitting, however, that the matter was
discussed among other matters.
There was quick action in the house
as the consequence of the attacks upon
the Republican plans for legislation.
The subcommittee of the Merchant
Marine and Fisheries Committee,
which had been revising the subsidy
bill, completed the final draft for in
PRODUCTION.
In the opinion of Republican lead
ers who have been telling the Presi-
dent that nothing could be accom-
plished unless the senate also acted
upon the ship subsidy bill, the deter
mination of the President to call an
extra session, if necessary, TO pass the
measure will force the senate to pass
upon the measure before adjourning.
House leaders said, however, that the
administration could not hope TO pass
the subsidy bill in the house unless
assurance was given that special
rule was to be granted for the passage
of the Muscle Shoals bill