Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-03
SHIP SUBSIDY
To BRING FIGHT
The Atlanta Journal News Bureau.
623 Riggs Building.
nv THE0D0RE THIER

by IHEODURE I1LAEO
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. S1.-A
mighty conflict impends in congress
over two words, "ship subsidy" and
all the money that must go with the
term if enacted into legislation.
1t has become certain here that
the administration will not attempt
to sugar-coat the ship subsidy pro-
posal that President Harding will
submit to congress some time In Jan
uary and as soon as the shipping
board is ready with it's program.
chairman A. D. Lasker, of the
board, said there was no use to give
the plan another name. 1t Will be
a ship subsidy program, he frankly
admitted, and the country may as
we'll know that, in his official opln-
ion, the hope of an American mer-
chant marine lies only in subsidy.
For a generation or more the word
Subsidy" has been an anathema to
countless legislators on Capitol HILL
Subsidy bills have brought on bitter
debates, famous filibusters and much
feeling. The average Democrat likes
the word subsidy about as well as a
mad bull in a big pasture likes to
see some one jump over the fence
with a red rag. Already the Demo
cratic orators are tuning up against
the forthcoming Harding message.
There probably will be Republicans
too, with the opposition.
If the Harding administration
could give the thing another name
it might keep down some of the dis
temper. However, Chairman Lasker
intimates that he sees no need OF
calling it something else because 1t
would be a straight-out subsidy. The
shipping board members are now
working out a plan at the request
Of the president.
Plan Being Worked Out
President Harding has said he
would go to congress with a special
message on the merchant marine
and subsidy as soon as the details
of the scheme have been worked out
by experts and others.
The statement of Mr.. Lasker was
made at a conference with neWspa'
per men, who were urged by the
chairman of the shipping board not
to publish premature stories OF an
agreement on a ship subsidy pro-
posal. There has been no agreement
within the boards membership, ne
said, various suggestions are IN
merely tentative shape and the board
has little hope of getting its recon-
mendations to the president before
January 20, and possibly not before
the end of January. Mr.. Lasker
said he though he could promise a
report to the president without fail
by February 1.
The president. said Mr.. Lasker,
would make these recommendations
public, and, meanwhile, the board
will have nothing to say in advance
about it's report. In denying pub
lished reports Of near agreement,
Chairman Lasker said the views Of
zone group Of economists" already
have been rejected in large part by
h mself and would not go to the pres
ident. Guesses that such views rep
resented forecast of the report Mr..
Lasker declared to be entirely erro-
neouS.
Opposes Disguise
Then the shipping board chairman
was asked IL Cne DOdrQ r6COIlIneH'
dalton to the president would be for
ship subsidy without Disguise. 1t
was suggested by a correspondent
that perhaps government moneys
might be made available under a
name such as 'the foreign trade de-
velopment fund"
mo" said Chairman Lasker, why
not call it by it's real name-ship
subsidy. That is what it VII be, and
another name wouldn't change the
scent of the rose, to use an old eX-
preston. l cannot discuss in ad-
vance the, report which we hope to
submit to the president within the
next few Weeks-our Investigations
and data yet are quite incomplete
but repeat that the hope of the
American marine lies in a subsidy,
and the term might as we'll be used
and have the matter fought out on
that basis.'
Mr.. Lasker heard the suggestion
that already certain members of con.
gress were making ready to attack
any subsidy" proposal-that the
word had always been anathema to
many legislators on capitol hill
Chairman Lasker was not unaware
OF this, but took the view that if
this country wants a merchant ma
rlne it may as well prepare to sub.
S1dlZe it and face that issue suuarelv