Evening star., 1922-11-18
FORCES LINING UP
FOR SUBSIDY FIGHT
House Leaders Decide on Ac-
ton Not Later Than No.
vember 20.
LASKER SEES SUCCESS
White House Statement Declares
Passage Necessary-Senate
Danger Point.
ILASKER SEES SUCCESS

Decision by House leaders to vote on
the administration ship subsidy bill not
later than Wednesday. November %.
was practically coincident with state
ment from the White House yesterday
that it's passage is necessary for ma
tional safety and the promotion Of ma
tional commerce and the prediction Of
Chairman Lasker of the Shipping Board
that it will be enacted into law.
The House leaders in conference yes
terday decided to throw the measure
open for unlimited amendment on the
floor. with the only stipulation as to
when the final vote would be taken.
Agreement Reached Mt Conference.
The agreement for a vote in the
House was reached at conference at
tended by Speaker Gillett, Representa- =
tive Mondell. republican floor leader.
Chairman Campbell Of the rules COM
mittee and members of the merchant
marine and of the steering committees.
Chairman Campbell suggested and the
other leaders present agreed that a
rule should be presented under which
the bill would be taken up for general
debate next Thursday. Three full days
would be given over to general discus
sion and then the measure would be
taken up. item by item, with three days
for amendment before final vote.
Chairman Campbell said the agree
ment for the open rule would eliminate
the question of referring the measure
to a party conference and would give
the House the opportunity to frame the
sort Of merchant marine measure it
wanted to pass. and which 1t would be
willing to stand on.
Opposition In Ranks.
There was said to be vigorous opposi-
ton in the republican ranks to any at
tempt to give the bill right Of way under
a rule which would prevent other than
committee amendments, and already
with amendments in order indications
were that democrats. working Jointly
with republicans who oppose the bill.
would endeavor to reimpose excess
viding funds for ships. Democratic
leaders predicted a flood Of amendments
would be offered. including a provision
sponsored by the dry element barring
liquor on American ships. Another
point expected to result in a hight will
ships would be permitted to engage in
coastwise trade.
Senate Danger Point.
notwithstanding signs Of an impend-
ing fight in the House. the Senate Is re-
garded by advocates of the measure as
the most dangerous point.
The democrats already have de-
clared, individually and through their
organization in the last campaign,
almost solidly against the measure,
and a large number Of republicans.
including Senators Borah, Idaho; La
Toilette, Wisconsin,: Capper, Kansas,
and others. have made open declara-
tions of war against 1t. Senator
Ransdell has spoken in its behalf.
President to stand Firm.
President Harding. 1t was reiter-
ated at the White House, will stand
solidly behind the effort for prompt
enactment of the measure, and the
statement by Chairman Lasker said
the taxpayer had been getting "the
biggest line OF humbug and bunkum
that could be possibly handed out" at
the hands of opponents Of the meas
ure..
Mr.. Lasker said that in the fiscal
year before the present Shipping
Board came into office. that of 1920,
the operating loss was between $780,
100000 and $200,000.000.
Losses of the Shipping Board for
this year were placed by the chair
man at between $40,000.000 and $780,
10000, but he said that, on the whole,
more would be returned to the Treas
ury than was Withdrawn, because of
He said the board had
asked for s5o.ooo.ooo for the fiscal
year Of 1924