The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-02-27
Officials
Draft New
Ship Policy
Administration Planning to
Deal With Merchant Ma
rinc Problem Without Aid
of Legislation.
Bill Continues to Linger

Washington, Feb. 26.--tP)-The ad-
ministration shipping bill was kept
alive in the senate today by further
debate, but executive officials, recog
nizing the end to be near, began for
mutation of plans for dealing with the
government war-impelled merchant
marine venture without the aid of the
legislation.
Chairman, Lasker of the shipping
board conferred with President Hard.
ing. then met with the ether members
aof the board and afterward an
al ounced that the policy of the Jad-
|A1inistration would be worked out and
made public before the end of the
week. He declined to give any indi-
cation of the plans under considera-
ton beyond saying that they were Of
"startllngly novel" nature.
No Hint of P1ans.
Hopeful until last week that the
shipping bill would be enacted, ad-
ministration officials have given no
indication of what alternative they
have in mind. President Harding. in
iio iLiii oppNdi iVA Peoodest
of the legislation in his adDress to
congress. February = on the British
debt settlement. said that IL the legs-
lative branch refused TO approve the
shipping bill or submit an alternative,
the executive branch of the gov
ernment may proceed as best it can
10 end the losses in liquidation and
humiliati tion.'
Inasmuch as the president has de-
clared one of the prime purposes of
the bill to be to get the government
out of the shipping business, it was
generally believed that the adminis-
tration's policy contemplated quick
and thorough liquidation.
Urge Action Under Marine Act.
Mr.. Lasker and Chairman Jones of
the senate committee have urged the
president to carry out section 81 of
the merchant marine act directing
abrogation Of some 90 commercial
treaties with leading foreign nations
prohibiting use by the United States
of discriminatory duties against
products brought to the United States
in foreign bottoms. Because of the
international aspects of the matter.
Mr.. Harding, like President Wilson,
has up to the present time refused
80 carry out the direction.
This action was advocated in the
senate during the debate. whieh
served to defer action on the pend
ing Robinson motion to recominit
The shipping bill.
Senator Ransdell, democrat. Louisi.
ana. in declaring he regretted the
prospective death of the measure, said
abrogation of the commercial treaties
would aid in building up of mer'
chant marine, but expressed doubt
whether such abrogation could ever
be brought about.
Deplores Filibuster,
Senator Pomerene, democrat. Ohio,
deplored the fi,ibuster against the
ship measure.
He said his plan would involve
abrogat!on of the treaties Senator
Walsh, democrat. Massachusetts,
sought an agreement for a vote on
the substitute bill by Senator Nickel
lar. democrat. Tennessee, which I.-o.
vides for indirect aids to American
ship operators and for abrogation OF
the commercial treaties by direc;
action of congress, but Senator Cur.
tis of Kansas. the republican whip
objected. saying an opportunity had
been given for q vote, but opponents
OF the legislation had prevented 1t by
their filibuster.
Further debate is in prospect Tues
day before a vote on the Robinson me
ton, and some sentiment developed
toward holding the ship bill technical
ly before the senate until adjourn.
ment next Sunday as a buffer against
other legislation.