The New York herald., 1922-06-18
FEAR LIQUOR SALES
ON AMERICAN ships
MAY BLOCK SUBSIDY
Campbell Advises President
to Delay Consideration of
Bill Indefinitely.
DRYS OPEN CAMPAIGN
Middle West House Men,
bers Oppose Legislation
at This Time.
FOES AMONG FARM BLOC
Disclosures Regarding Wet
ness of Shipping Board Ves-
sells Rouse Dry Forces.
FOES AMONG FARM BLOC
Special Dispatch to THE New YozK HEaALp.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. June IL.

Washington. ID. c.. June II.
The disclosure that liquor Is per-
mitted to be sold on American vessels
members of the House against ship
subsidy legislation may defeat Presi-
dent Harding's plan to force passage
of the merchant marine bill at this
session, or at least result in post
poned action until late in the summer.
At conference to-day with the
President. Representative Campbell
(Kan.), chairman of the Rules Com
mittee, stated that because of the in
creased opposition to the bill It's con-
sideration should be postponed indefi-
nitely. The President reserved his de-
cision until next week, when he will
confer with House Republican leaders.
Here are the reasons generally credited
as being responsible for Mr.. Camp
bells action:
The pressure on Mr.. Campbell and
other House leaders by Middle West
ern members. including the entire
Iowa delegation. to prevent consider
alton of subsidy legislation at this
time.
The opposition to the measure which
has developed among drys as a result
OF the disclosure that liquor is sold on
board the American vessels.
The insistence of a group of adher-
ents to the agricultural bloc that tho
subsidy legislation should not be given
! priority over the bill to accept Henry
/ Ford's offer for the Government nj
trate works at Muscle Shoals.
Campbell Canvasses House.
Mr.. Campbell was requested recently
by President Harding TO expedite acton
on the subsidy bill by adoption of spe.
cial rule. After canvassing the HousC
members Mr.. Campbell called on ths
President to-day TO inform him OF the
situation. He told the President he
thought the bill should not be brought
up in the House until the country has
had ample opportunity to read and di-
gest 1t. He thought much of the oppo-
sition to 1t was prompted by lack Of
knowledge of its provisions.
1t was pointed out by Mr. Campbell
that the bill was completed by the
Merchant Marine Committee only on
Friday. He declared few members had
read 1t or knew anything about it's pro-
visions and that the report of the COM
mlttee hearings had not yet been
printed. Mr.. Campbell said he doubted
II even the great newspapers of New
York city were fully acquainted with
the terms OF the bill"
The President is understood to have
impressed on Mr.. Campbell the urgency
for the passage of ship subsidy legisla :
ton at this session, and reaffirmed his
determination that Congress should not
adjourn until IL has been acted on. The
! President is said to have pointed out
that millions of dollars worth Of ship
ping is now lying idle in ports. rustlng
because OF the delay on the subject.
Mr.. Campbell said he thought IL the
Representatives who are now against
the bill are allowed to explain its pro-
| visions 10 their constituents that much
of the opposition would disappear. He
suggested that recess Of three days be
| taken so that members might get away
and sound out home sentiment
Party Leaders to See Harding.
Early next week Mr.. Campbell. Ma
jority Leader Mondell (Wyo). Speaker
Gillett (Mass). and one or two other
| Republican leaders will confer with the
President. The situation will be
/ threshed out thoroughly and a definite
| program decided Mr.. Campbell thought
/ the President could be convinced Of the
soundness OF his arguments for delay.
The new program would contemplate
taking up the ship Subsidy bill after
the tariff had been voted on in the
Senate. 1t would not be necessary at
that time for the full House member
! ship to be present The bill would be
brought UP for consideration under n
! special rule limiting debate to ten hours
and prohibiting all but committee
I amendments.
Evidence of the growing antagonisrn
| in the House to the ship subsidy bill be-
cause OF liquor being sold on American
vessels was furnished to-day. Chairman
| Edmonds (Pa.) OF the subcommittee OF
the Merchant Marine Fisheries Commit
tee which framed the new measure, In
I troduced a bill in the House which would
| forbid any ship. foreign or domestic
which allowed the sale OF LIQUOR
board from entering American
Mr.. Edmonds's bill provides pent
| $40 900 for violations and the seizN
any vessel which. after having bv
found guilty. should refuse to pay thiN
penalty.
Drys 20 Put Up Fight.
Representative Upshaw (Ga.). direc-
tor OF the An;i-Saloon League. declared
that he would fight as long as his breath
holds out to prevent "the demon rum
/ from being sold under the American flag.
Tie said that unless the subsidy bill was
so amended as 70 forbid liquor being
sold on American ships that support
| enough among the Republican drys
| would be recruited to defeat the bill.
! Pressure is being brought on Leader
| Mondell and Chairman Campbell 10 clear
! the House. decks for immediate action on
the Muscle shoals proposition. The agri-
| cultural bloc. which is behind Mr.. Ford
In his bid for the Government nitrate
niant. Is determined TO block the passnge
Of the subsidy bill un.ii their pet y Z