Evening star., 1943-03-27
finish Fight Expected
IN Senate tuesday on
Land Confirmation
Entire Session Is Set
Aside for Airing Views
On Maritime Chief
BY The Associated Press.

me Associated Press.
"A drastic difference of opinion
over the activities of the Maritime
Commission today promised to
transform a normally-routine SEN
ate confirmation of an appointment
INTO a five-and-a-half- hour battle
over charges of collusion and mis-
management.
After delaying for nearly two
weeks a vote on President Roose-
! velts nomination of Rear Admiral
Emory S. Land for another six-year
term as commission chairman. the
Senate agreed to devote its entire
session Tuesday to finish fight.
In one corner is Senator Aiken,
Republican, of Vermont, who asked
fn investigation into charges of
Rlleged collusion between the COM
mission and subsidized shipbuilders.
Bailey Is His Champion.
/ In the other corner is Chairman
Bailey of the Senate Commerce
COMMITTEE which unanimously ap-
proved Admiral Lands nomination.
He said the admiral is "as honest
rs the stars that shine above and
Just as true to the people"
Senator Aiken said his battle
against Admiral Lands confirma ton
would be based on Controller Gen
eral Warren's charges of Irregular
tiles in the commissions construc-
ton OF vessels under contracts with
the Tampa Shipbuilding & Engineer
ing Co. and their sale to the Navy.
Other charges concerned the COM
missions sale of five obsolete vessels
to the Waterman Steamship Corp,
Mobile, Ala, with an option to re-
purchase, and the subsequent buy
ing of five similar vessels from
termed greatly enhanced prices -
instead of exercising the option.
Declaring that these transactions
reflected indications that the in
oustry was drawing enormous
points, Senator Aiken added
IF he is guilty of misspending
millions and millions of dollars of
taxpayers money; if he has been
in collusion with any steamship
line or any boatbuilders or anybody
else, he should be removed from
office-not rewarded"
Senator Bailey contended that
Admiral Land is great man,
honest and straight" and "above
suspicion
Discrimination Is Charged.
Senator Aiken also claimed that
In the award of contracts, the COM
mission had Disseminated against
nom -subsized shipbuilders in favor
Of the subsidized firms.
Conceding that there may have
been discrimination, Senator Clark,
Democrat, Of Missouri, Commerce
Committee member, maintained,
however, that Admiral Land has
done remarkable job on ships"
Il can't agree with some of his
policies" he added but I think
he has been honest and I certainly
intend to vote for his confirmation.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Com
mission won strong support in its
long standing and bitter dispute
with Mr.. Warren over what consti-
tutes Just compensation for pri-
Vately -oWned ships requisitioned for
war service.
The dispute, which has deadlock
ed the two agencies for months and
blocked payments of upward of
$200,000,0 900 pending a decision, was
turned over to former Attorney
General William D. Mitchell for
thorough analysis and recommended
ton
Mr.. Mitchell, in his report, which
has been made available to Con-
eresS, recommended that the Attor-
ney General be asked for formal
opinion, but his report supported
some of the commissions conten-
tiOns.
If the Attorney General adopts
the Controller Generals view" Mr.
Mitchell reported the Congress
should promptly be asked to enact
law allowing the commission to at
least maintain its present base