Evening star., 1925-12-14
Democratic -Insurgent CoaIi.
tlon Votes Continuation Un-
der Existing Conditions.
OPPOSES CABINET RULE
OF MERCHANT MARINE
Three Democrats and Cooper Sign
Report-Republicans Present
Minority Statement.

TWO reports on the American mer-
chant marine and the Shipping Board
were filed today by the joint select
committee appointed In March, 1924
70 investigate the shippuing situation.
Ihe majority report was filed b.
Representative Davis of Tennessee
democrat. 1t is signed by a coalition
of the Democratic members and Rep
resentative Cooper of Wisconsin, pro
gressive Republican
The minority report was filed by
Representative White of Maine, cha ir.
man of the select committee, and va
signed by representatives. White.
Lehlbach of New Jersey and Line
berger, California
The majority report recommend
that the present organizati ton, with
the Fleet Corporation appointed by
ana responsible 70 the Shipping
Board, be retained.
Backs Coolidge Recommendations.
The minority report bears out The
recommendations of President Cool.
ldge. and would separate the Fleet Cor
poratlon from the Shipping Board and
transfer to the Fleet Corporation en-
tlfe control over operations of the
Government fleet. 1t would leave TO
the Shipping Board the regulatory
functions II now has and control of
the construction loan fund.
Ihe minority report discusses the
advisability of Government aid TO
American merchant ships md points
out that eventually such aid will have
to be given or else many of the trade
routes must be permanently operated
oy the Government. 1t makes no
recommendations, however, for spe.
cific Government aid
Representative Lehlbach TODAY in
troduced a bill to carry into effect
the recommendations contained in the
minority report. 1t is somewhat sim
liar to bill which he introduced in
the last session of Congress and TO
a bill which already has been intro
duced in the Senate by Senator Jones
OF Washington. Mr.. Lehibach said
that he would urge the House mer-
chant marine committee to take up
his bill and act upon it promptly.
We believe that the Shipping
Board. the majority report said,
should be retained, except that the
chairman of the Shipping Board
should be elected by its members"
We believe the ships should be
operated by other officials than the
shipping Board, and that such off
clals should be given free hand in
the administrative features and de.
tails of opera ton.
Such officials, however. should be
appointed by and answerahle to the
Shipping Board for the execution Of
general policies"
independence Is Urged.
The report also declared that the
Shipping Board should be independent
and not subservient to the Executive.
and that the board should determine
the general policies. prices and terms
for the sale, charter or operation of
ships.
In the very nature of things" the
report said. "the President could not
familiarize himself with the many and
comprehensive features Of the prob
lens relating to our merchant marine
and would be compelled to rely upon
the advice of somebody.
I'VE deem it better for these mat
ters of policy to be determined by
board coming from all sections OF
the country as is provided in existing
law
IF the board should be deprived Of
all power and authority except It's
so-called regulatory functions, the
board may as well be abolished.
We recommend abolition of the
United States Shipping Board Emer-
sency Fleet Corporation. and in lieu.
the enactment of provisions permit
ting the Shipping Board to sue and
be sued as a private corporation in
matters pertaining to ship operations
The report urged discontinuance of
the so-called NJ. O.-4 contracts. Such
contracts, the report stated. have but
few defenders except operators who
are the beneficiaries of such con-
tracts"
Other Recommendations.
The majority report also recon-
mended-
That foreign organizations of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation consist
exclusively of American citizens, ex-
cepting perhaps menial employees
The competitive handling, as far as
possible, of bids for dockage, steve
doring. luggage and other services.
Operators of Shipping Board vessels
should be prohibited from represent
ing any foreign steamship lines or
other interests.
Creation of local corporations in
various ports to take over ships and
maintain trade routes.
Patronage by the Government and
Government officials of American ships
whenever possible.
Patronage by the American public
to the American merchant marine.
Adoption of "a simple, uniform
ocean bill of lading' and uniform
through-export and import bill of
lading between connecting rail and
water carriers
Regulations to prevent preferential
arrangements between railroads in
the United States and foreign ship
lines.
Removal of restrictions upon rail-
road-owned ships in international
trade.
Establishment of free zones In our
ports.
Enactment of a load line law.
Repeal of tariff duties on all ship
building material and repeal of all re
strctions against the use Of imported
materials in "our ship construction.
Points to Results.
The minority report filed by Chair
man White declares in support of its
proposal that the Fleet Corporation
shall be made Independent of the
Shipping Board, that in the last year
when President Coolidge's plan for
operation by the Fleet Corporation
was attempted without a separation
by law the result had been good. II
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