The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-06-17
House Leaders
and Harding Will
Discuss Subsidy
Marine Bill Presented to
House and President Will
Be Asked If He Demands
Prompt Action.

Washington, June 17.-Republican
leaders OF the house will confer again
tomorrow with President Harding on
the question Of taking UP the admin
istrations ship subsidy bill prior to
adjournment. Indications tonight
were that they would reiterate the
belief that consideration OF the meas
ure ought to 90 over until the Decent
ber session. but all leaders declared
they would take it up and force It
to a vote if the president still in,
sisted "
The bill was reported today to the
house by the merchant marine COM
mttce which rejected the Bankhead
amendment providing that no govern
ment aid should go to ships on which
liquor was sold. There was no ac-
ton on the Edmonds propose! for inl-
position of $4,000 fines on all ships.
American or foreign, which sold
liquor an any voyage starting or end
ing at an American port.
Will Demand Vote.
Defeated by the committee, Mr..
Bankhead announced he would de-
mand a vote on his amendment in
the house. There was no record vote
in committee on the amendment but
it was opposed by republicans and
supported by democrats.
The prohibition question had wrap
ped itself so closely about the bill
that many leaders admittedly were in
doubt as to how it might stand up in
the house. Injection of the ship
liquor issue into the fight, according
to republicans opposing action At
this time, invited defeat of the bill. 70
Representative Garner, democrat,
Texas, told the house today what
most members had been hearing for
10 days that Speaker Gillette, Rep
resentative .Mondell, the republican
leader, Chairman Campbell Of the
rules committee and a majority OF
the republican steering committee
were against consideration of the bill
prior to the elections. There was no
answer from any of those mentioned
by the Texan.
Democrats Oppose Bill.
When the bill formally was pre-
sented to, the house by Chairman
Greene of the merchant marine CON-
nittee, democratic members were
given until Thursday to file a
minority report.
The committee vote on reporting
the bill was 9 to 4, republicans vot-
ing aye and democrats nay, except
Representative Cullen, democrat,
New York, who voted present.
The majority report, presented by
Chairman Greene. contained a de-
tailed explanation of each important
section of the bill and an argument
for its passage.
Declaring the situation today with
respect to establishment of mer-
chant marine was different from that
obtaining at any time heretofore the
report added:
Arguments Presented.
1t is not~ question whether we
wish a merchant marine-for we
have it. 1t is not question of sub
sidy or no subsidy because to meet
the governments losses of $50,0O0.-
600 a year in the operation of our
merchant marine the people are be-
ing taxed far beyond what would be
needed were the ships brought into
efficient commercial operation.
The main question, the report
said, was disposal of the present
fleet so that with the least cost to
the taxpayers 1T may be made Of
the greatest use to the country as
whole both in peace and war;"
The alternatives are plain" it
added, "either make it possible for
private enterprise to take this nucleus
which we now plan, add to it until
II becomes great and efficient
entity, an American merchant ma
rine, or refuse the relatively slight
amount of aid necessary therefore
and continue at great expense the
inefficient methods of government
operation until the ships are worn
out"