The New York herald., 1922-02-12
SENATE AIDS BOSTON
ON LEYIATHAN JOB
Ties Up Funds Until Navy
Yard Bids Are OBJ,
tanned.
ENDS THREE DAY FIGHT
Leaders in Upper House Con-
slider Matter Now Within
Presidents Discretion.
ENDS THREE DAY FIGHT

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.-Supporters OF
the move to obtain for the Boston Navy
Yard the job of conditioning the giant
liner Leviathan won in the Senate to-
day, but statements by Shipping Board
officials indicated that the victory
might be of no avail. Nf
The Senate adopted an amendment
sponsored by Senator Lodge. Republican
(Mass), to the independent offices ap-
preparation bill providing that unless the
President should direct otherwise no
money appropriated by the bill for the
Shipping Board should be used for re-
,conditioning any Government vessels
until available navy yards had an OPP
portunity to present an estimate on the
cost OF such work within the limit OF
the time in which the work is to be
done.
Shipping Board officials told Of the
Senate's action recalled the statement
that the contract for reconditioning the
big vessels would be let Wednesday to
the lowest of the private bidders which
recently submitted offers, unless pro-
hibited by Congress.
These officials said the Lodge amend
nent would not act as o prohibition
fnasmuch as the money to be used IN
rcoutfitting the Levlathan for trans
atlantic passenger service was avail
able from the $55o00,000 total received
By the board from the sale Of surplus
stocks The lowest bid by private
yards received by the board was that
Of the Newport News Shipbuiidlng ana
Drydock Company.
The decision Of the Senate to adopt
tho amendment was reached after a
three day fight. The oppositon.o OF two
previous days disappeared on the Re
publican side Of the Chamber when
Senator Lodge accepted an amendment
prepared by Senator Jones, republican
(Wash), chairman of the Commerce
Committee, which has jurisdiction over
Shipping Board affairs.
The amendment as finally adopted by
the Senate, replacing a. House section
strick EN- out by the Senate Appropria-
ton Committee. must now go to con-
ference 1t is understood the two
houses will agree upon provisions leav-
ing the decision in such matters with
the President.
Senate leaders expressed the opinion
that as the amendment refers only 70
appropria tions carried in the indepen
dent bureaus appropriation bill it will
be interpreted TO mean that the Presi-
dent will exercise discretion based upon
estimates submitted by and conditions
existing in available navy yards in all
matters of repairs to Government ves-
sells when the cost exceeds S9,0eO, this
sum being the limit provided in the
bill.
Senator Lodgs in the debate declared
the facilities of the Boston Navy Yard
for handling such work were adequate
and that At was necessary to give the
Government establishments work 10
keep skilled mechanics employed. He
asserted that when I'VE destroy tho
navy yards and Government plants the
Government will be at the mercy of pri-
vate ent tsrprises." and added that Chair
man Lasxer of the Shipping Board did
not appreciate the value of navy yards
to the Government.
I'VE VIII have a reduced but efficient
navy under the treaties" Senator Lodge
continued, "and I do not want to see
the country put at the mercy Of the
contractors; that Is not economy.
"The Shipping Board has taken charge
of nearly all the affairs of the universe.
but. thank God. It has not taken charge
of the navy"