Evening star., 1928-05-13
SHIPPING MEASURE
NEARS FINAL VOTE
Revised Farm Bill Also Ac.
Cepted-Both May Reach
President Wednesday.
BY the Associated Press.

ny tue
Two more outstanding pieces Of leg
islatioE before Congress this season
farm relief and merchant marine de-
velopment-were whipped into fina
form yesterday ready to be sent te
President Coolidge as soon as the Sen
ate and House approve compromises
reached on these bills.
Both measures are regarded as more
or less in conflict with the administra-
tion program. although notifications
finally made in the Senate Government
ownership shipping bill are believed to
make it acceptable at the White House
Little hope is held. however, for preSi-
dental approval of the McNary-Hauge
farm bill.
Agreements announced yesterday by
the Senate and House confereeS on the
two measures showed virtually unani-
nous approval of the revised bill. House
approval is required first on both bills
and this will be sought probably tomor-
row. The Senate then must act and
no contest is looked for there. The
two measures are expected to reach the
President by wednesday.
Studying Flood Bill.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Coolidge is studying
the first and probably the most COM
prehensive legislative product of the
sesSion-the flood control bill, which
he is expected TO sign.
Senate and House confereeS on the
Jones White bill for development of the
merchant marine, agreed to almost all
House reviSionS, which went further
than the Senate and provided for en-
couragement of privately owned
merchant marine.
The House provision that sale OF
Government ships could be made by the
Shipping Board hereafter upon vote of
five of the seven members was accepted
in lieu of the Senate provision for
unanimous consent. The Senate Ian
guaQe was diStasteful to President Cool
idee, who has urged disposition of the
feet into private hands in the interest
of economy and believed that unani-
nous consent of the board for sales
meant virtually permanent Government
ownership and operation.
Increase Ship Fund.
Approval was given by the conferees
TO House provisions for liberalization of
the mail contracts on ocean vessels. for
increasing the ship construction loan
fund from SIPS, ,00O, 900 to $3.50. .O0O. 900
and for allowing loans to private build
ers up TO three-fourths of the cost of
ships in place of the two-thirds limita-
ton now in effect.
The measure calls for a replacement
program OK Shipping Board vessels.
which 1t is estimated will eventually
cost $3.50, 900 900. and this provision is
one Of the primary purposes Of the act.
There was little serious controversy
between the Senate and House on farm
relief. The bills of Senator McNary,
Republican. Oregon. and Representa-
tive Haugen. Republican. Iowa. were
In agreement on the equalization fee
TO raise funds when necessary for mar
keting Of surplus crops. That is what
President Coolidge regards as uncon-
stitutional and it seems destined 10
draw another veto for the bill
The conference accepted the Senate
provision for exemption of fruits and
fresh vegetables from the equalization
Zee, the only commodities exempt.
House provisions for selection Of the
advisory councils. which would have
veto power over imposition OF the equal
ization fee by the farm board on their
commodities, were accepted. Members
OF the councils for each commodity
would be chosen, under this provision.
by the farm board from lists OF nom
nations compiled by the cooperative
marketing associations representing
the commodity and by the governors of
States and secretaries Of the State
Agriculture Commissions.