Evening star., 1923-08-30
Seeks to iron Out Differences
and Settle Upon Plan for
Fleet Operation.
SUBSIDIARY GROUP IDEA
SPLITS BODY, q TO 3
Mellon and Hoover Expected to Be
at Meeting-U. S. Is Urged to
Buy Cape Cod Canal.

President Coolidge has summoned
members of the Shipping Board to the
White House tonight for an ironing
out of differences known to exist
among them regarding definite plan
Tor the future operation of the gov
ernments merchant marine.
The main point at issue is the ques-
ton of the legality of that feature
of the plan which proposes to turn
over the fleet to subsidiary corpora
tions to be organized under the Ship
ping Board. 1t is understood that
the board at present stands four in
favor of this feature and three against
1t. Shipping companies and others
engaged in maritime activities are
understood to be opposed to 1t, ad-
vancing the argument that the prop
osition does not provide private op-
Grafton.
Confers With Farley.
The summoning of the board to the
White House tonight was announced
today following a long conference be-
tweena the President and Edward p.
Farley, chairman of the board. Dur
Ing this conference Chairman Farley
submitted to the President additional
Information concerning the feature at
issue, as well as other details of the
plan Of operation.
Very shortly after Presid ent Cool
idge assumed the presidency Chair
man Farley presented to him what
has been described as the Harding
hn
merchant marine program. This plan.
SO Tar as 1T has been disclosed pro-
vides for indirect government opera
ton by the utilization of subsidiary
corporations in operating the main
meet. AS matter of fact, President
Coolidge has been studying the
matter and has been described as
referring to the operation feature as
Delhs not actual operation by the
government but merely technical
most generally used has been in
direct" operation by the government.
1t has not been learned definitely
whether the President has made up
MS mind about the legality of the
plan. but he is known to have in
mind the submitting of the matter
TO the Attorney General for a ruling
as to the legality of the point in
question.
President Coolidge was represented
ment of arguments of a constructive
nature at tonight's conference which
may lead toward a better understand
ing on the part of those present 1t
IS understood that he hopes by this
gathering around the table to bring
the board to one opinion, either as TO
the operation plan or as TO the next
step to be taken in formulating some
thing definite
1t is thought likely that Secretaries
~
and Hoover of the Department of
Commerce, who are members of the
special board of five recently appoint
ed by President Coolidge to act in an
advisory capacity to the Shipping
Board in working out and deciding
upon a definite program, will be pres
ent at tonight's conference.
Frank S Davis, manager of the
maritime association of the Boston
Chamber of Commerce. during a con-
ference with the President today So
licited his support of movement to
bring about the purchase by the gov
ernment of the Cape Cod canal. Mr..
Davis also took up with the executive
the matter of certain railroad rate
preferentials which are now pending,
before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
Receives Many Visitors.
Brig. Gen. William c. Russell. U. 5.
been representing the United States
as high commissioner at Haiti. called
on President Coolidge today TO pay
his respects, and to acquaint him
somewhat of the more important fea-
lures of his work in that country.
Others who saw the President were
Harold Walker of this city, Amherst
alumnus, who said he merely wished
to renew his acquaintance with Mr..
Coolidge, and TO extend his good
wishes; A. b. Chamberlain, director
of prohibition of New Jersey: David
j. Allen and J. S. BarrowS of the De-
partment of Justice, and Secretary of
Agriculture wallace.
Elmer Lands of the Federal Farm
Loan Board presented to the Presi-
dent today twelve regional directors
of the board, who are meeting in
Washington.