Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-11-24
MARINE BILL IS
CRITICISED AND
COMMENDED BY
HOUSE MEMBERS
Five Speeches, Three for
and Two Against the
Measure, Are Made, Dur
ing Five Hours Debate
GREEN LEADS FIGHT
FOR A SHIP SUBSIDY
Contends It VIII Give EN-
pIoynent to Thousands
and Retain in the u, S,
100000, 1000 Annually

Washington, Nov 23.--Brought
up in the house the administration
shipping bill was commended and
condemned during five hours de-
bate today ~ which leaders on
both sides Of the battle took part.
All told, five speeches-three for
and two against the measure-were
made. Two full days OF debate re-
main before the bill will be laid
before the house for amendment,
and to satisfy all eager to speak
the meeting time tomorrow was
advanced an hour.
Chairman Greene Of the mer-
chant marine committee, which
framed it, and Representative Ed
monds Of Pennsylvania, ranking
republican member, made the prin-
cipal arguments for the bill. Rep
resentative John NJ. Nelson, repub-
lican Of Wisconsin, was elected by
democrats In charge OF the oppo-
sition to go to bat first to urge is
defeat. representative Bankhead
Of Alabama, democratic member
Of the merchant marine commit
tee, attacked the bill at length and
representative Watson, republican,
of Pennsylvania, defended It briefly.
Points Out Benefits
The good which he believed
would come to the country through
operation of an adequate merchant
marine was emphasized by Chair
man Greene in opening the fight.
He commended It would give em-
pigment to thousands, retain in
the United States SS00,0O0,O00 an
nually in freight payments, pre-
vent the necessity Of the country
facing another war time tonnage
crisis, and right the injustice done
the American marine over a long
period of years.
Hitting squarely ar the opposi-
tion, Mr.. Greene told how the gov
eminent had aided the farmers and
railroads. how it had built high
ways and then deplored its failure
to put the tlag at its proper stand
ard on the seas.
In giving a detailed explanation
Il the bill. inviting questions anu
meeting all attacks, Mr.. Edmonds
expressed belief that most ship
ping people wanted 1t passed.
Great Britain started with a DIE
subsidy" he said. "Tcday it IS ..
mail subveEtion. Japan, after ~
years Of high subsidy, is reducing
It and still is able tG keep her
ships on the sea while doing so,
Cursed by Legislation
American shipping, he shouted
had been cursed by legislation and
patchwork navigation laws.
Declaring the government was
proposing to rob Peter to pay
Paul Mr.. Bankhead told the house
the issues involved and the con-
tomplated expenditures were so
great that it was the duty Of the
bills proponents to show there was
no other remedy for present ship
ping conditions.> He characterized
it as a "monstrosity."
Under this measure he said,
"The Standard Oil company, own
ing its own tankers to move its
own oil for its own benefit, Is to be
handed out OF the treasury four
or five million dollars annually.
just for the privilege of hauling
its own stuff to its own tankers.
1t is a bold and naked raid on the
treasury. The steel corporation IS
similarly benefited. while the
United Fruit company, operating
its own fleet Of ships 10 Central
America can go to the boud at
the end Of the year. say Ne have
Travelled so many miles and lie
mand a million dollars or two as
Christmas present"
Warns Republicans
In his opening attack, Mr.. Nell
sen warned republican leaders that
il they would hold the party to-
gether they must go out to the
masses and not to the ship prof
iteers."
He insisted the bill assured a re-
turn of 12h per cent annually and
over that to ship owners and OPP
orators.
"You know what the people
think of the Esch-Cummins act,
with its 5ss per cent or 6 per cent
guarantees" he added.
Mr., Nelson's statement as to the
121s per cent return was chal-
lenged by a number of republicans.
representative Mills. republican OF
New York. insisting the figures
were wrong and that the return
might be wiped out by operating
costs