Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-03-01

| gcthcr with other aid. TO private shiD
operators.
Present Inv Ineffective.
| This program. the President OK.
planned. WAS advanced i'm lieu of in
effective provisions in existing laws
designed TO aid shipping. These in
| cluded the ''subvention" or tariff re-
bate. provided for on imports because
OF the most favored nations" clauses
! or commercial treaties. Tho President
reiterated that he did not intend TO
| uchouncc these treaties. as provided
III the Jones shipping act OF l920-in
| act which would make the tariff sub
vehtion operative--bccausc he said
! IL would lead to endless embarrass-
ment and invite disturbance of cor
Gial commercial relations
! Administration lenders in Generous
later said that no ATTEMPT would be
made to repeal the treaty abroun,Ion
clause OF tho Jones act, but that the
ne" program would be pressed and
the treaty abrogation provision ler,
on the statute books.
inc President also reiterated his
approval of the Great Lakcs-St. Law.
renee waterway project.
President In hpplnudcd.
IRIS ana several declarations Of the
| president were applauded at the jolnt
session. The audience rose and an
| panded at length when he entered
| ana left tho House chamber. Tho
audience. however. was considered tho
smallest which Mr.. Harding or for
mer President Wilson had addressed
on similar occasions. Delay in dis
tributins tickets of admission was re-
ported as one cause for this. There
were many vacant seats when the
President began his address. hut they
were, for the mos. part, filled. and
many persons were standing in door
ways and halls before he had con-
| cludcd.
The President said that every mem
her OF the Shipping Board indorscd
the administration program. Reuub-
| iican leaders In both branches OF Con-
| SrcsS said also that IL had the gen
eral Endorsement of the dominant
rarty membership. Members of the
| senate and House committees which
VIII deal with the bill participated In
| drafting tic administration program
ana were said to have agreed to the
general principles outlined by the
President. This. Republican leaders
said. probably would operate TO cx-
pedite the legislation.
| Opposes Subsidy Proposal.
Democratic opposition to the sub
| Siiy proposal developed. however.
| Immediately. ana Senator Fletcher
| Democrat. Florida, former chairman
| and ranking minority member of the
| mi,
n statement announcing opposition
| To the subsidy plan.
| mere is no need for subsidies, in
| nay opinion" said Senator Fletcher
would. however. favor the gov
crrment furnishing insurance to our
| own and private American ships at
| practically cost. My inclination has
"ecn against any direct subsidy"
! clher Democratic Senators also
| declared their opposition toNa sub
| Sidy. Eut many said they desired to
| study the administration program
carefully before determining their
| course. Some Republicans also ex-
| pressed themselves as inclined 10 on
| pose i subsidy. These included MEM
| bcrs of the agricultural bloc. Scna-
| tor Norris, Republican, Nebraska
chairman of the Agricultural COM
nntiec. said that IN preference TO a
subsidy he would turn over the rov
|
| road Company, government con-
Germ. This suggestion also was in.
dorscd by Senator Fletcher.
salient Features OF Program.
The salient points of this proposal
embodied in bills introduced in each
House Immediately after the presi-
dents address follow
Aid estimated at $40, 600. 900 an
nually To be provided for principally
by diversion Of 10 per cent OF the
| nations customs receipts.
Requirement. that not more than so
| per cent of the immigrants to the
| United states be transported in for
| ei;Sn ships.
Sale of the tonnage now held by
the Shipping Board and use of the
funds as n construction loan fund.
| Authorization for Induction o.
American merchant men officers and
sailors into the naval reserve with
| the attendant allowance In nav.
The president then detailed n num-
| Der Of indirect aids, mentioning in
| this connections:
Amendment of the Interstate Com
| merce act TO permit Runway systems
| to own and operate steamship lines
| engaged i'm other than coastwise
| trade:
Making effective OF the section of
| the merchant marine act provides for
preferential rail and steamship rates
of through shipments on American
| vessels:
insurance available nj no greater
cost than is afforded ships under for
|