Evening star., 1953-04-25
Backers See Victory
For Tide|ands Bill
Without Any Change
BY the Assoeioted Press


Backers today predicted VIC
tory without compromise for a
bill to establish State ownership
offshore submerged lands-a bill
against which Senator Morse.
Independent, Of Oregon, estab-
lished a new Senate marathon
talking record.
Proponents had renewed sup
port from President Eisenhower
and only one highly placed sup
porter Of the measure said in
an interview there will be no
compromise on this bill.
He predicted the long-talking
opposition will be forced into
submission next week.
Before the President spoke out
yesterday. Senate Republican
Leader Taft of Ohio said he was
exploring the possibility Of modi-
fications in the legislation on
which both sides could agree.
President Concerned.
The President called for prompt
passage of the bill and said he
was deeply concerned" over the
delay Of his legislative program
caused by prolonged Senate de-
bate entering its 18th day today.
On the merits of the bill, Sen
ator Morse said it was so worded
that it possibly could prevent the
building of dams by the Federal
Government on lands under
navigable streams. He noted that
the bill prohibits "use" of such
lands by the Federal Govern
ment.
Senator Morse contended at
one point that "the big press of
the country is lined up" with
proponents of State ownership
and that only after the long-talk
tactics began did the debate get
mucn COVerage.
But Senator Douglas, Demo-
crat, of Illinois, helping Senator
Morse out with questions, sug-
gested editors may not have
thought stories about submerged
lands were newsworthy.
"High Degree of Ethics"
Senator Morse agreed with
Senator Douglas that working
newspapermen in Washington,
with certain exceptions. observe
a very high degree of journals
tic ethics"
Senator Jackson, Democrat,
Of Washington, an opponent of
the bill, said in an interview a
final vote probably would come
by next Thursday or Friday. All
night sessions are planned next
week if the debate goes on.
Both Senators Jackson and
Morse asserted that the op-
ponents would not crumble with
out a further fight. Senator
Morse said there are many great
speeches" remaining to be de-
livered in the Senate.
The Presidents views were ex-
pressed in a letter to Senator
Anderson. Democrat, New Mex
leo, who, with "a other Senators,
had asked his position on
boundary claims, by the States
beyond the traditional Smile
limit.
In Line With Party.
President Eisenhower said his
views are in line with my party's
platform, which he quoted as
favoring restoration to the
States of their rights to all lands
and resources, beneath navigable
inland and offshore waters with
in historic boundaries"
Senator Daniel, Democrat, Of
Texas hailed the Presidents let
ter as specific recognition of the
1O1a mile boundary claimed by
Texas in the Gulf of Mexico.
On the other side of the issue,
Senator Anderson said in a
statement that the Presidents
letter "does not make clear what
attitude his administration will
take if claims are made by the
StateS<to boundaries wider than
those claimed by the Nation"
Senator Anderson called for
return of the bill to the Senate
Interior Committee to resolve
"the uncertainty" or adoption Of
amendments to correct the con-