Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-11
PRESIDENT INSISTS
ON SHIPPING BILL
MCNary, However, Tells
Executive Measure Has
Little Chance.

President Coolidge does not propose
to let up in his insistence that legis-
lation be enacted at this session to d.
vorce the Shipping Board and the
Emergency Fleet Corporation and
otherwise to strip the former Of all its
semi judicial and regulatory nature.
His contention is that this nation will
never succeed in efforts to build up
a real merchant marine under the
present law, which gives the Shipping
Board executive control over the oper-
alton of the American feet.
The President made this plain today
to Senator McNary, Republican,
of Oregon, a member of the commerce
committee. which viii handle legisla-
ton in the Senate, who in turn told
the President that the legislation has
not a ghost of a show this year. He
stated that the bill Introduced by Sena-
tor Jones of Washington, chairman of
the comerce committee. which pro-
vides for stripping the Shipping
Board of it's power along the lines de-
sired by the President. will not even
SttINe lIit ONctl Va Ills
much less passing muster on the floor
of the Senate.
The Oregon Senator stated that all
of the Democratic members of the
committee. as well as three Republi-
cans on the committee. will vote
against it. He said he is one of the
three Republicans who will balk at
this legislation.
Will Hold Up Appointment.
The President also made it clear that
he will hold up filling the vacancy on
the Shipping Board made by the re-
cent resignation of Bert T.. Haney,
Democrat, of Oregon, until the legiS-
lation has been disposed of one way or
the other.
1t is believed in some quarters that
the President is not only awaiting
action by Congress regarding the pro-
posed amendment of the merchant
marine act. but is anticipating another
resignation on the Shipping Board. In
this connection 1t is rumored that
r. c. Plummer. Republican. of Maine
is contemplating retiring to priva-e
life, in which event it is thought the
President will name a Republican to
succeed Mr.. Haney and a Democrat
to succeed Mr.. Plummer.
A Cc1idlOT Luxe,
of New Jersey, probably one of the
President most ardent supporters
in his proposal to strip the Shipping
Board of its powers, hopes this
may be accomplished as soon as pos
sible. he agrees with Senator McNary
and others that there is little pros
pect of favorable action at this ses-
sion.
Watson Makes Report.
Senator Watson of Indiana chair
man of the Senate interstate COM
merce committee, informed the Presi.
lent today that the legislation pend
ing in that committee will be reported
to the Senate some time next week,
making it possible for the Senate to
dispose of the more important meas
ures by May L.
In his opinion the railroad consoli.
dation bill, which is known to be ia.
vored by the administration, will he
passed by the Senate, but he thought
it would be held up in the House.
Senator Cummins of Iowa, author
of the railroad consolidation bill, &C.
cording to Senator Watson, will re.
port this measure to the Senate Sat
urday, with some important amend.
ments. AT present the bill enforces
consolidation after three years. This
period will probably be extended to
seven years. thus eliminating the seri.
Gus objection which now exists to con.
solidation proposals.