Evening star., 1922-12-09
SHIP BILL REPORTED
| TO SENATE, Il TO )
Madden Amendment Presi-
dent Opposed Eliminated
by Committee.
WILL COME UP MONDAY
Chairman Jones to Call Measure.
Ransdell Votes in Favor.
Minority Report Given.
WILL COME UP MONDAY

The administration shipping bill was
| reported today to the Senate after its
approval by the commerce committee.
II to 5. One democrat, Ransdell of
! Louisiana. voted with the solid republi-
can membership in favor of the measure.
Principal changes from the House
bill included elimination Of the Madden
amendment which would have subjected
extension of government aid to Con-
gressional control through annual ap-
propriations and which President Hard
ing informed the committee this week
would endanger the whole government
aid program.
Chairman Lasker of the Shipping
Board. who called at the Capitol shortly
before the bill was ordered reported.
the measure az presented to the Senate.
Chairman Jones announced his pur-
pose to call the measure on Monday.
A minority committee report filed
by Senator Fletcher. democrat. Flor
ida. declared the policy proposed in
fment upon a sea of trouble and enor-
nous expense" and that the answer
to such measure is and must be
resistance and defeat" ..s---.-.-
The proposed measure means SIM
ply the establishment Of a general
subsidy system which will be fast
ened on the country for an indefl-
mite period" the report contends. The
whole tendency Of the administration
is against encouraging international
trade. We cannot have cargoes in the
absence Of foreign trade. Losses will
not be eliminated. because only a
small portion of the tonnage will pass
into private hands, as proponents of
the bill admit. even If it should be-
come law. for years to come. and a
costly overhead will continue.
"It Is perfectly plain that the ships
which would be chiefly benefited are
not the cargo ships at all. but pas
| senger and ships of other types"
The minority also said the legisla-
tion would give the Shipping Board
power Ito build up or destroy ports. to
enrich or impoverish ships lines. thus
dominating localities. controlling ship
owners. ship operators and financial
institutions. and the insurance COM
panies and all other connecting inter
ests" This" it added would make
that bureau a political autocracy and
a dominating influence equipped to
work its own will"
The effect of a subsidy" the report
contended. will be, not to create. but
development of an American mer-
chant marine
Deadlock Is Ended
Elimination of the Madden amend
| ment attached by the House and sub
stitution of the Willis-Lenroot COM
promise, and approval of half a dozen
, other important changes practically
! completed yesterday the work of the
Senate commerce committee on the
! bill The consideration of the meas
ure is expected to start in the Senate
+, Monday.
! The rejection of the Madden
amendment and the approval of the
compromise substitute ended a dead
lock which had existed in the COM
mittee since it began consideration
of the measure Wednesday. The COM
mittee acted after Chairman Lasker
of the Shipping Board had appeared
before it and had accepted the COM
promise on being told that unless
either the Madden amendment or the
compromise were retained the bill
could mot be reported. Mr.. Lasker
previous 20 his appearance before the
committee had declared the proposed
substitute unsatisfactory:
The compromise, which was sug-
gested by Senator Willis, republican.
Ohio, and drafted by Senator Len
root, republican, Wisconsin. provides
that the approval of Congress shall
be required for an increase in the
amount of government aid to ship
operating companies over the amount
fixed in the initial contract. The
Madden amendment. which President
Harding a few days ago informed the
Senate committee would jeopardize
provided for government aid through
annual appropriations by Congress.
The other changes made by the
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