New-York tribune., 1922-03-04

Support Given
Ship Subsidy
Senator RansdelI and Lasker
Assure Merchant Marine
Convention Issue Now Is
Patriotism, Not Politics
&. s. Fleet Sale Discussed
Income Tax Rebate Clause
of Bill Shown as Substitute
to Section "a of Jones Act


WASHINGTON. March 3.-Suppor'
for the marine subsidy plan outlined
b. President Harding will be non.
partisan, Senator Joseph (. Ransdell
president Of the National Merchant
Marine Association and ere Of the
leading Democratic members of the
agricultural bloc, told the association
today at fhe opening Of its annual
convention. This statement was
strengthened By 4. D. Lasker, chair
man of the Shipping Board, who said
hat the seven commissioners, four
Republicans and three Democrats, ap-
proved the bill unanimously, and that
he experts who recommended its
pylrcipal features we've selected with.
out regard 70 their political afliation
The session of the association to-
DAY vas attended by about 100 prori-
neat steamship men and others inter
estsd IN foreign trade. Among the
core Of speakers, representing 81
parts of the country, there was gen
eral approval Of the Administration
plan as one essential to esta ablish ship
ring on sound basis. One criticism,
raised by J. Parker Kirlin, general
Owners Association, and Presiden,
p A. S. Franklin OF the international
Mercantile Marine Company was that
government aid should be extended fol
a minimum of fifteen years, instead
~ the ten provided in the bill, az
.everal years will pass before the ad
Nsntages o. the subsidy will become
effective IN large way.
Hartman Offers Sale Plan
problem not covered by the FRO
posed plan. according to W. A. Harr!-
ian, chairman OF the board Of The
'ion to be made Of the government
'eet. He declared that American steam
chip men should not be encouraged ia
purchase vessels under a subsidy plan
and then find the market flooded with
cheap ships. He said that probably $50
10 400 Of the 1,so0 vessels owned by
the board were suitable for normal
trade. AS a solution of the question
he suggested that board of survey
should be appointed TO select the best
ships for sale TO Americans, that the
others should be offered to foreigners
on the condition that they should not
ne operated to American ports and that
those remaining unsold after certain
period should be scrapped Mr.. Harri
man estimated that the wage cost Of
an American cargo vessel of 5000 tons
vas $500 month more than q British
snip and that this factor alone would
make a subs idy necessary. Unless gov
ernment aid is extended, he said, the
Shipping Board never would be able te
sell its tonnage.
Mr.. Lasker revealed day that the
income tax rebate provided in the
Presidents pl n is intended to be &
substitute for Section 34 OF TIRE Jones
law. which directs the abrogation o!
those parts of commercial treaties re-
strictng the right of the United States
20 impose discriminating duties and
tonnage dues. The President opposes
enforcement OF Section 80 in the belle,
that II will disrupt our commercial re
lations. Under the new bill, says Chair
man Laskcr, the same benefits will be
obtained by shippers, who are allowed
10 deduct ) per cent Of their freigh,
payments TO American vessels from the
total of their income taxes.
Will Aid Cotton and Grain Men
This feature of the law was strongly
indorsed BY Senator Ransdell, who sa i'd
that it would aid the cotton and grain
growers Of the South and Middle West
and manufacturers IN all parts OF the
country. The provision for the estab-
lishment of merchant marine naval
reserve was approved by the Senator
With regard to the shipping bill he ssid
shat at is not matter of politics nov
but one OF Americanism and patriot
ISM
Beyond general approval of the Ad-
ministration plan, there were few dis
oussions of the bill at the convention
which was expected TO be forum to-
day for this purpose. 1t developed
that most of the speakers had not had
time to 60 into the proposed legisla-
ton in detail, and also that number
Of points were not clear. Among the
after were the extent OF the control to
he exercised by the Shipping Board
the method OF computing the net prone
Of 10 uer cent and the effect of such
provisions as that permitting railroads
30 purchase ships and operate them in
foreign trade.
Charges British Propaganda
Z. P Young, publisher of The Ma
rine Journal" criticizes the President
the Shipping board, Congress, the
press and chambers OF commerce Of
the country for allowing British :nfl-
ence to become so widespread
He declared that the poltlca
parties have frequently declared in
favor of discriminating duties, But
lat when it comes to making such
'aNs effective "a strange palsy seems
10 set In lie attrl buted this to the
cfectiyeness Of British propaganda
The difficulty Of selling goods abroa Z
without control ot ships g 5 the medium.
for delivery wss outlined by Stevenson
Isyior. president Of the American
bureau OF Shipping, who said that
government aid was GOOD business. DIT.
s. s. Huebrer, special expert in marine
insurance for the Shipping Board, out.
-,ned the necessity &c increasing The