The Washington herald., 1922-11-29
MEETS STIFF BATTLE.


The section establishing a per-
manent Merchant, Marine Fund,
out of which subsidy payments are
to be made, met the stiffest oppo-
sition the bill has encountered.
This provision sets aside, among
other moneys, 10 per cent OF the
customs receipts, and as 1t original
" stood empowered the Shipping
Board to pay the subsidies out OF
this special fund.
The Democrats. led BY DaNls
of Tennessee, sought to eliminate
this fund and leave operation OF
the subsidy dependent upon yearly
CONCENTRATIONS. Members of the
Merchant Marine Committee who
framed the bill declared the adop-
tion OF this motion would kill the
bill .o
The nearest thing to test vote
came on this proposal. The OPP
ponents registered only 95 votes
bowever. while 1872 supported the
fund This test is not regarded as
a definite indication of the ultimate
result. as only 225 members were
oresent. Advocates Of the leglsla-
lion hone the final margin will be
wider.
Fund LEFT INTACT.
Defeat of the Davis motion came
after Madden had offered his amend
ment, which was accepted by spon,
sors OF the bill. 1t was explained
this change leaves the special sun
sidy fund intact and only reserves
to Congress the right OF scrutiny OIL
contemplated payments 10 snip
owners.
To claims that this modification
means a subsidy fight on each an
nual appropriation bill and that
.onne Congress might defeat the
subsidy by withholding appropria-
tions. Madden, who is chairman
OF the Appropriations Committee,
repfied the bill definitely estao-
fishes an obligation upon the Gov
ernment which no Congress can
dodge. The subsidies will be paid
when they fall due, he declared
emphatically.
Texas, to require all money In the
spectal fund not used during each
- fscal year be turned into the gen.
eral fund of the Treasury at the
end Of the year. was beaten, 10 10
%.
FRFAR LOSES AGAIN.
An amendment by Frear Rep9 OF
Wisconsin. to re-enact the excess
profits tax to raise the SUBSIDY
fund went out on a point OF order.
Ednonds' bone dry amendment
was a substitute for a proposal
by Bankhead that would have per.
rnanently precluded from the sub
sidy any vessel carrying liquor In
violation of the law. Edmonds re-
stricted the loss to the voyage dur
ing which the violation occurred.
The amendment depriving indus
trial ships of the subsidy when
they transport products OF their
owners allows them compensation
when they transport other products
as common carriers.
The Graham amendment, designed
to prevent any Interpretation or the
section dealing with rail-owned water
lines as permitting the railroads 70
control river and canal boat lines
removed a threat of many delega'
tions in the Mississippi Valley terri
tory to fight the measure. They
contended that without this safe
guard the proposed law might be SO
Interpreted as opening river traffic
to railroads and thus sitting water
competition.
SEE GOOD MAJORITY.
The section amends existing law
SO as to permit ships owned by rail
roads to pass through the Panama
Canal when engaged in trade with
foreign countries or the Philippines
Now no railroad-owned boat may
pass through the canal.
A surprise was the failure of this
opposition to offer amendments tC
the details of the scale of the pro
posed subsidy. The method OF com
putting payment went through as
drafted.
The Republican steering commit
Toe canvassed the situation in an
ticipation of the final vote today
II was agreed there will he com
Portable majority. but telegram.
were dispatched TO absentees favor
able to the legislation, calling or
them to be here.