Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-06-15
HARDING THREATENS
EXTRA SESSION IF
SUBSIDY BILL FAILS

WASHINGTON, June 1S.-By the
Associated Press.)-President Har
ding has notified Chairman Campbell
Of the house rules committee, that
unless the ship subsidy bill is passed
prior to adjournment he would fee
obligated to call a special session
solely for it's consideration.
Writing under date Of May rs, the
president said so much is involved
and such a difficult and discourag
ing situation will follow if congress
fails to sanction the merchant ma
rine bill that I should feel myself
obligated to call congress immedi
ately in extraordinary session to es
pecially consider it if it went over
through any neglect or delay beyond
the present term"
The views Of the president were
set forth in a letter to Chairman
Campbell in which he expressed the
hope that the rules committee
would give privileged status to the
shipping bill.
Presidents Letter
The president said:
IT understand that in very short
time the merchant marine bill is
to be favorably reported to the
house. I am writing to express the
hope that your committee on rules
will report whatever provision is
necessary for it's early and final
consideration. I can not convey to
you how very earnestly I feel the
necessity of passing this act. Sc
much is involved and such a diff
ficult and discouraging situation will
follow if congress fails to sanction
the merchant marine bill that
should feel myself obligated to call
congress Immediately in extraor
binary session to consider it if it
went over through any neglect or
delay beyond the present term.
tI should be more than glad to
cooperate in any way that I can
in impressing the house with the
necessity of the favorable considera.
ton of this bill. I am writing an
expression of my earnestness to you
at this time because 1 understand
| it is within the province of the rules
committee to report a provision I'M
der which there may be secured
early, and I hope, favorable consid
Grafton"
Plans for Bill
| Plans had been made to introduce
the merchant marine measure in the
house today, but because of unex-
pected delay in redrafting the final
section, it was announced by Repre-
sentative Edmonds, Republican,
Pennsylvania, in charge Of the sub.
committee work, that the merchant
marine committee would not be able
to present the bill before tomorrow
1t will be referred automatically to
the committee, which will report ii
| to the house later in the week.
There was widespread discussion
among members as to the effect OF
the presidents letter. Republicans OF
the merchant marine committee who
had known Of its existence ten days
or more, believed it would have the
effect Of getting the party in line be
hind the president. On the other
hand, however, Republicans opposed
to action at this time declared that
with almost solid Democratic oppo
sition there was some doubt as tc
whether the house would adopt q
rule giving it right of way even il
one was voted by the rules com
mittee.
The assertion later was made al
the White House that unremittins
pressure could be expected from thu
administration to bring about enact
ment by congress of the merchan
marine bill at this session of con
greSS.
Presidents Attitude.
The president, it was said, feel:
that he could sustain no greater dis
appointment than that which would
come to him by the failure Of CONG
was said to consider that the posi-
bility Of getting such legislation o.
the statute book at any near date de
pended on its enactment by the pres
ent congress session, because tn
next regular session would be to-
short and too much occupied will
appropriation bills.
White house discussions today in
Dictated that the president consider
that he had made the most earnes
and urgent representations of whicl
he is capable to congress and to cor
gressional leaders.
A spokesman for the administra
ton today characterized as curious
that some members in congress i,
spite of the presidents message urg
ing the ship subside, have still com
to him with the question as t.
whether he really wanted the bil
passed.
n II A