Evening journal., 1922-03-23
THURSDAY, MARCH %. 1922
THOSE SHIP SUBSIDY HEARINGS.

1T will please Delawareans to know that agree
n ment reported 10 have been reached between
senator Jones chairman OF the Committee on Com
merce, and Representative George W. simonds OF the
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries for
hearings before joint Congressional committee the
ship subsidy bill. to commence today tomorrow.
This hearing is expected to continue for four or Ave
weeks and every phase OF the shipping question will
be presented which in addition to the $50 study
of the subject submitted by the shipping Board viii
supply ample data for the consideration OF Congress
when the bill reported probably before the end
April
while there will be considerable Democratic oppo-
sition to the measure it not expected strong
that which has marked the opposition Of the party
tariff revision and other constructive policies taken
up by the Republican majority. Such opposition is
manifested will be more for the purpose OF making
political capital If there any be made in that
of fact several Democrats said to favor
The bin which embraces the OF Presi-
ient Harding, notably Senator Ransden, OF Louisiana.
AS for Senator Underwood's attitude, IL Is well known
hat he favors OF aid to the merchant inc
having committed himself that idea in paragraph j.
subsection OF the present tarin law which bears his
name and which provided for discount Of cent
on all duties on goods imported in vessels admitted TO
registration the OF the United States This
clause however was rendered nugatory by decision
OF the Supreme Court being viostive OF treaties TO
which we were a party.
Fletcher. of Florida is recorded being in
favor aids the merchant marine. but he may, for
OF party consistency, oppose the present bill
because he believes carry subsidies policy
which he says he condemns This brings up the ques-
ton What Is a direct subsidy? II generally sup
posed that direct subsidy paid directly out OF
Treasury funds The bill makes such provision but
would aside 10 per cent OF the receipts from Gus
toms and make over to the merchant marine subsidy
fund the money received from port and light dues
1s4oOoo0 annually. on the averaged whilo
ton fund created from the amount realized On
the sale ships this exceed s125, 600
which may be loaned per for construc-
ton Senator Fletcher bases his proposed opposition
on three grounds; First, because the government Is
willing TO sell the Shipping Board vessels basis
which would place American shipping parity with
foreign ships capital concerned sec
ond, he does believe the dlfferenual amounts
10 anything third. he the government to into
the business OF insuring the ships whereby cheaper
may be secured.
to the first ground the government is not willing
but obliged sell for what and he takes ac-
the cost construction. and repairs A.
TO the second the highest marine wage paid by for
egn competitor that paid by Britain, which Is
just about one-half the average wage paid by the
United As the third, while some
thing might be the ship policy holders OF gov
ernment insura nee the to the government would
undoubtedly very considerable OF the
aggregate required place merchant marine
equitable basis with the OF competitors
Republican leaders believe that the public has had
enough OF government messing in such matters
and they seeking rid OF the ships and the
sponslbity Of nsurng them.