The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-11-22
SPEEDY ENACTMENT
OF SHIPPING BILL
ASKED BY HARDING
President Frankly Ad-
mits Determined OPP
position to Measure
Must Be Faced.
(By Associated PressJ

w YIN, NOV. Il. -
President Harding, in an ad-
dress today to a Joint session of
congress, urged speedy enact
ment of the administration ship
ping bill as a means of cutting
down present losses through op-
! GRAFTON of government ships and
putting America at the fore
front ''in the peace triumphs on
the seas of the world"
At the very outset Of the Ss-r,inute
speech, which was heard with the clos
est attention. the president frankly de-
ciared that those standing with him
might as we'll recognize that there was
, divided opinion and determined oppo-
sitton." It would be helpful IN clearing
! the atmosphere to start with the reccg-
milton Of this fact. he said, adding that
1t was no new experience. With great
emphasis. the president challenged "ev-
cry insinuation" that the bin was
framod for the benefit of favored in
terests' or for the enrichment Of the
! special few at the expense OF the publir
, treasury. He declared that first Of all
he was appealing to save the treasury
Calling attention to hostility In the
word subsidy
| stressed, he said. by tho opposition
, the president assorted that government
aid would be n faire- term than subsidy
in defining what he was seeking to do
for upbuilding Of the American Tner-
chant marine
But call It subsidy since there are
those who prefer 20 appeal to mistaken
prejudice rather than make frank and
| loglca! arguments" he said
1 We might rail- tho Tnrr
$60,OGO'OO0. which we are paying now
without protest by those who most alb
| nor IT, we might as Well call that a
subsidy If So, I am processing to cut
it In half, approXlma. ely
Three courses of Action.
Discussing the problem confronting
congress. the president outlined three
COURSE oi action. The FIRST he said.
was constructive, Which embraced ras
sage Of the bill: second, obstructive
continued government operation and at
lending goveFrment~ losses, and, third,
destructive involving the sacrifice and
scra2ping of the merchant feet.
L have como to urge the constructive
alternative, to reassert an American we
WIZ he exclaimed, which brought the
first applause during delivery of the
speech
The next applause greeted the presf-
dents declaration that he rejoiced that
! higher standards OF labor on American
ships had been established and that
merest justice suggested that when
congress fixes these standards il fs fair
to extend government aid In maintain
ing them until our shipping lines are SO
firmly established that they can face
world competition alone" The farm
bloc. including members Of the demo
cratic side, applauded when the presi-
dent said credit systems under rovorr-
ment provision and control must De
promptly and safely broedened to the
agricultural classes. There was variety
Of comment by members. hut for the
most part this followed party limos
Thinks Message Strong.
Representative Monden. Wvominc.
tho republican leader, said:
Il consider tho presidents message
an exceptionally strong and fo-ceful oa..
do not recall Yer having heard . cas,.
moe lOgical,' on convlncingly present
cd The presidents arguments in favor
of legislation along the lin" proposed
are unanswerable."
The views Of Oppoicnts Of the ItIl wcrs
expressed ny Representative Garrett.
Tennessee, democrat leader, vino sail.
From the standpoint Of those who
favor the bill. tn. president placed II"
matter in what 7 suppose will bo gen
orally regarded as a strong light Of
course. IRON. the standpoint OF thosa 4
us who arc opposed u the measure. ne
did not answer the fundamental oJjr,-
tions."
The shipping bill, over which the Zig
fgI: Of the Eesslcn will begin Thurs iay.
was filed with the house BY Chairman
Greene 2f tie merchant marin com
mittee a few minutes before tho pres
dent reached the capitol. It differed in
some respects from the measur" intro
duced weeks ago. and was reported
without a record vote. Tomorrow the
rules committee is expected to give #
right of way and the program calls for
action on the special resolution IN hour
later Should the resolution be adopted,
as Is expected, The bill will be taksn up
by the house Thursday. Then Nov.
20, at o'clock. It VIII be put 20 4 lnai
vote and passed or killed.