The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-19
FRIENDS AND FOES .OF SUISSE. ..,;Ss,lL
 REApv S:1 |GHT
Supporters Claim Measure Will Pass, While Opponents Prepare to Let Loose Del
 uqe of Amendments
By Associated Press

Washington, November lS.- Friends and foes Of the admnstra- tion ship subsidy bill went to work today in active preparation for the fight over the measure which will begin next Thursday in the House.
 While there were indications of a deluge of amendments, opponents said they would not agree on a definite policy of attack until they had opportunity for informal cCn- ferences. Meanwhile, republican members Of the merchant marine committee which framed the bill, an nounced that they would go ahead with the fight, believing enough votes were assured to put it through without important changes.
 Democratic leaders, counting on all most solid party opposition to the measure. declared they would be joined by many republicans. Most interest, aside from claims and coun- ter claims as to the fate of the bill, centered in amendments which might get throu.eh under broad rule open ing it for any changes the House might see fit to make.
 Revive Excess Profits Tax
 oOilt IGpQDilCdil ttduSTS tADt tSStu belief that a proposal to revive the excess profits tax as the means of providing a subsidy for ships would not stand up. They insistei would be thrown out on a point of order as not germane. Regardless of this view, members eager to get the old law re-enacted declared the question would be put to a test.
 Under the bill as drawn the sub sidy would be provided out of a re- volving fund obtained chiefly from a l10 per cent take-off from all revenue receipts. This. according to esti- mates would reach about sS5o00.000 ] or s40,000.05J year. At the time of it's repeal the excess prolits tax yielded more than s400-000000. The prohibition question Is expect ed to enter into the fight. probably in two ways. House "drys' have de- clared determination to put through ii possible, an amendment providing that ne. ship shall share in federal subsidy il if permits the sale of liquor at sea. regardless ot xIS ruling by the supreme court on the pending suit resulting from the at torney generals opinion that the yolstead law follows the flag beyond the three-miIe limit.
 Prohibition Settled
 Satisfied that the prohibition ques- tion is settled, the merchant marine committee is preparing to bring in an amendment designed to increase the mail payment to passenger ships to offset possible losses through dry regulations.
 Stme House leaders opposed to the bills provisions. announced that a republican move would be made to strike out the section under which shippers whose goods, by destination. are brought over in American vessels would receive a five per cent income tax rebate Cn the amount of freight payments.
 An effort also will be made, IL was stated. to tack on the bill an Amendment repeating the Panama canal tolls for American ships Tine bill repeating the tolls was passed more than a year ago by the Sena e but it never reached the House fer vote.
 Virtually the entire time of the special session which begins Mon- day will be taken Up with consider aticn of the ship subsidy bill. It will be put before the House Thurs day under a rule calling for a vote on November 2a. There will be three days of general debate and three days for amendments.