The Washington times., 1924-01-03
PALMER likely
To HEADSA
BOARD
1 Coolidge viii Announce New
Policy When Retired Rear
Admiral Is Named.
BY GEORGE e. DURNO, /
international News Service.

1MeDEMubAAbAlA1A xSOW1 6OANANSe
Announcement Of new Admin
istration shipping policy and the
appointment of q new chairman Of
the United States Shipping Board
win be made shortly by President
Coolidge, it was learned today.
Leigh C. Palmer, Of Missouri, re-
tired rear admiral and former chief
acf the Bureau of Navigation Of the
Navy Department, Is slated for az.
sentiment as the operating head Of
the American merchant marine
after the President withdraws from
the Senate the nomination OF
Chairman Edward F. Farley, who
has resigned,
At the same time, as the result Of
Meveral weeks conferences with men
Representing the best shipping
minds in the country, the President
olans to- announce q definite pro-
cram for the reorganization or the
FnerchAnt marine along lines design.
cd to promote. greater efficiency ana
more profitable returns.
High Lights in Program.
High lights of the new program
mre expected to include:
1.-The enforcement of the Ship
ping Board and the Emergency Fleet
Corporation, leaving operation of the
II merchant marine directly in the
hands of the latter body and per-
hitting the board to function in re-
sIation to the fleet in the same man
Ener the Interstate Commerce Com
mission does toward the railroads.
2.--Extension of the American
cOastwise laws to the PHILIPPINES
an act which will confine all trade
between the United States and the
PHILIPPINES to American bottoms and
add approximately $5O,OOO,OOO to the
Revenues of the merchant marine.
3.-Greater coordination of rail-
Nnd4water transportation so as to
Milford more attractive rates and ex-
pedite movement of freight.
IA program for replacement OF
tonnage.
Represents Jones Views.
The above program represents in
the main the views of Senator
Wesley Jones (R.) of Washington,
chairman of the powerful Senate
Commerce Committee and author
Of the merchant marine act OF
1920.
= Details of the plan were dis
cussed at a White House luncheon
on Wednesday attended by Senator
Jones and Matthew c.. Brush, pres
ident of the American Interna-
Il tional Corporation of New York,
wartime head of the Hog Island
shipyards, and, through long
residence in Massachusetts,, per-
aonal friend of Mr.. Coolidge's.
Earlier in the day, Brush con.
ferred alone with the President in
his office. He admitted he had
been called to Washington to give
his views on shipping, and follow
Ing his conference indicated that
smuch of Senator Jones plan met
with his approval.
"a Investigation Is Started.
The War Department and the
alGhipping Board, at the order of
the White House, are now investi-
Etgating the Philippine shipping sit
sfOation to determine whether there
Is an adequate service between the
EsUnited States and the Islands to
" warrant extension of the coastwiee
E4laWs. as provided in the Merchant
Marine Act. The Shipping Board,
III is understood, is of the opinion
k5fhat an adequate service" now ex.
lists, and while the Bureau Of
InsuIar Affairs of the War Depart
1. nnent, under Maj Gen. Frank Nc
1ntyre, is opposed to limitation Of
81 traffic in that lane to American
bottoms, it is believed the War De-
s partment also will report in the
s. affirmative.
President Coolidge also has held
heonferences lately over the new
program with Admiral Palmer, who
twas until recently Shipping Board
Representative in Brazil.
Admiral Palmer'e name has been
u banded about in official circles as
A possible nominee either for mem.
sshership on the Shipping Board as
d representative Of the interior to
succeed Farley. or as head Of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation in
case that agency is separated from
1the Board.