The Washington times., 1922-06-10
FOES RETREAT
IN ATTACK ON
SHIPPING BILL
Disclosures Of Secret Cam
paign Against Act Causes
Opponents to Quit.
BY WlNDER r. HARRIS.
Universal Service

disclosure OF the EFFORT OF GER
tain Republican leaders in the
House to block President Hard
ing's program for passage of the
Administration ship subsidy bill
at the present session of Congress
had a salutary effect in two
directions today.
Results Are Cited.
The results were:
l. II served to draw the line sharp
ly between the President and those
who are opposing the shipping bill.
This. 1t was realized by the rank and
file OF Republican Congressman
means they must stand with or
against the President. And many
who had been led unthinkingly to
commit themselves to the party
whips making the opposition poll
made 1t a point TO set themselves
Alright.
2. II took much OF the force out OF
Floor Leader Mondsll's fight to stave
off actisn. Running for the Senate
this fall, Mr.. Mondell would not con.
tribute anything to his candidacy by
opening himself to the attack that
he Is bucking the President. There
were indications that he will cease
his active efforts against the meas
ure, even though he does not vote for
il himself.
Publication in yesterdays papers
of the Universal Service dispatch re.
counting the discovery Of the ca nvass
to arouse sentiment for postponement
Of the bill until after the election
caused a great stir in the cloakrooms
and Hobbies. 1t was the chief topic
of conversation among Republicans
and Democrats alike.
Monden In Secret Partey.
Shortly after the House was con.
vened yesterday, Congressman Mon.
dell called into a conference behind
closed doors members OF the subcom-
mittee of the Merchant Marine Com.
mittee, who are In charge OF the re.
drafting Of the legislation. Those
who participated in the discussion
with him were Congressman Ed,
monds, Pennsylvania: White. Main"
Lehlbach, New Jersey. and kirkpat.
rick, Pennsylvania.
The consultation lasted an hour.
No information as to the details OF
the conversation was given out. 1ut
II was noticeable that the Merchant
Marine Committee members At the
conclusion OF the conference we're
more optimistic over the attitude
they may expect from the floor
leader. 1t Is believed an asreennent
was arrived at whereby Mondell will
not continue his active opposition
TO consideration OF the legislation as
soon as 1t comes out OF committee.
Further difficulties encountered
in putting the finishing touches on
the bill, II was learned. probably
will delay its reintroduction ur til
next Wednesday This will not sf.
feet the plan to have II ready for dis.
cussion in the House the week fo;.
lowing. II It is finished by the Re
publicans and reintroduced Wednes-
day. II will be taken up by ne
whole committee Immediately and re-
ported out by the end OF the week.
Under the rules II will then pe in
order at any time the following
week.
Optimism among the sponsors OF
the bill was further strengthened to.
day by the results OF a poll OF the
three Republicans from that State,
at least eighteen. and probably more,
will vote for the bill, the poll showed. .
Illinois is one Of the Middle wes'.
ern States in which opposition to
any form Of subsidy was dec Jared
by the opponents Of the pending DILL
10 be the strongest. An Indiana Re-
publican member also stated today
that members of his delegation are
coming around 20 the support Of the
President on the shipping bill
A Democratic leader in the House
asked his opinion with regard TO
the prospects for passage OF the
subsidy bill. admitted privately that
the Republicans must lose a third
Of the votes on their side before the
opposition. including the Democrats.
will be strong enough to endanger
the legislation. He thought there
would be very few" members on
the minority side supporting the