The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1922-06-23
WILL NOT SHELVE
THE SHIP SUBSIDY
Harding Is Quoted Directly Re-
garding Pending Legislation.
MAY MEAN EXTRA SESSION
President Declares Measure Is Unfail-
ing in Its Appeal to the Sober
Judgment of the People of
America.

washington, June 21.-"I believe the
ship subsidy bill is unfailing in it's
appeal to the sober judgment of the
American people"
President Harding so described the
pending bill in conference with
newspaper correspondents at the
White House. So important does the
President regard the pending legisla-
ton that for the first time since he
took office he asked that he be quoted
directly, as in the above statement.
Following the cabinet meeting at
which the subsidy was discussed, the
fiat statement was made that Presi-
dent Harding is prepared to cab a
special session of congress if the
legislation is not considered at the
present session.
The Presidents Views.
1t was made plain that the Presi-
dent, in conserving to the temporary
postponement of the subsidy until the
tariff is out of the way, did not intend
that the merchant marine subsidy be
shelved. The Presidents views on the
Importance of the legislation were
summed up in letter to congress.
Prior to the dispatch of this COM
munication, the administration view of
the whole subsidy situation was de-
Scribed in the following official state
ment:
The President is very pleased to
yield to the proposition to postpone
the ship subsidy bill until after the
tariff is disposed of. 1t was found
that there is desire on the part of
congressman to go home and lay the
legislation before their constituents.
People throughout the country have
not had an opportunity to familiarize
themselves with it. The administra-
ton is very glad to have members of
congress do this, for there is no desire
to do anything that is not approved
by the public
Since the President does not wish
personally to go on the stump to press
for the legislation, he regards an APP
peal by members of congress as the
next best method, it was pointed out.
That the passage of the subsidy is
vital to the interests of the govern
ment is the firm belief of the adj
ministration, as expressed in most
emphatic terms. While it was made
plain that the President does not feel
it is his province to dictate to con-
gress, he believes that if the facts
are laid before the people, they will
demand the subsidy at this session.
May pass the Buck"
If the session should close without
definite action, then the administra-
ton feels that the responsibility for
the future of the great government
merchant marine has passed from it's
shoulders, and rests whit congress.
President Harding appears to be
slightly apprehensive that congress
may pass the buck" over the next
session. Such action, he believes,
would be fatal. 1t would be prac-
tically impossible to pass measure
of this Importance during the short
session of congress between December
anu IhdIcH, he UclicFcs- odSIlS MS
experience on his career as a senator,
the President points out that the short
session never really gets started until
early in January, because of the
Christmas holidays. 1t is out of the
question, he believes, to try to enact
important constructive measures dur
ing the short session in addition to
passing the necessary appropriation
bills.