Evening star., 1928-01-29
SENATE To SPEED =.
JONES BILL VOTE
Action on Merchant Marine
Measure Likely Tomor-
row or Tuesday.

| The Jones bill for Government
development of an American merchant
marine is expected to pass the Senate
late tomorrow or Tuesday after which
I the upper branch Of Congress will de-
vote the remainder of the week to two
appropriation bills and TO the dispo-
sition of smaller bills that have acCumu-
lated on the calendar.
what the House will do with the
merchant marine measure remains to
be seen, but those in charge of the bill
believe there are ample votes to carry
lit in the Senate. There is an agree
ment to limit debate to five minutes for
each Senator after O'Clock tomorrow,
which may bring vote soon after
that hour.
Reaffirms Old Policy.
The pending measure reaffirms the
policy set forth in the merchant marine
act Of 1920 for the upbuilding of a
merchant fleet by the Government, ulti-
inately to be owned and operated by
private interests in the United States.
It would authorize the annual appro-
priationS needed TO replace obsolete
vessels and construct additional ones in
1.-THE carrying out of that policy.
The debate in. the Senate during
the past week brought out that II the
bill becomes a law. the Shipping Boards
program would call for an outlay of
$3.50. 100000 over period OF ID years
The most controversial feature of the
Jones bill. which was adopted by the
Senate as in committee Of the whole
Thursday. is the amendment which
would prevent the Shipping Board from
selling vessel unless there Is unanl-
nous vote of the seven members Of the
board. 1t was agreed to by vote OF
81 to IS.
Urge Majority Rule.
Senators who opposed the amendment
expressed fear that it would commit the
operation, because Of the difficulty Of
obtaining unanimous action by the
board TO place ships in private opera
ton. They contcnded also that tho
fact that the Shipping Board is organ
lied on regional basis would lessen
the chances of unanimous action. They
argued for ajority rule, or at least for
a vote Of five members to authorize
sales
Supporters OF the amendment ex-
planned that its object was 10 emphasize
! the contention that the primary pur-
| pose is TO build up the merchant fleet,
rather than disposal Of the ships as
| primary aim.
Senator Jones. Republican. of Wash
| ington. chairman OF the commerce
committee, told the Senate during the
week that personally he would favor
subsidy bill, or some method Of Gov
ernment aid to private capital 10 enable
it to meet foreign competition IN the
| development of a merchant marine, but
| has become convinced it is not possible
| to get such legislation through Con-
greSS.
Action Held Imperative.
Those in charge OF the jones bill
hrgue that action OF some sort on the
merchant mATine problem at this ses-
sion is imperative. They say that #
action is not obtained at this session
int will be deferred for at least t*o
years. and they fear that by that time.
the present ships would be deteriorated
TO a point where they could not meet
world shipping competition,
There wae considerable debate also
during the week in favor Of taking
steps to eIfcotfrage aHds assist pfivase
capital in building up merchant ship
ping so that the Government wollldsnot
have to remain ipTheShipping business
for .any iextended ength Of time
After the shipping bill is out OF the
way. the Senate will be ready 10 begin
consideration of the appropriation bills
for the Interior Department and for
the independent establishments OF the
Government.