HEARING

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON

MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEVENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H. R. 3615

A BILL TO AMEND THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT, AS
AMENDED, BY PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF
THE TRANSPORTATION OF PASSENGERS AND
PROPERTY BY WATER CARRIERS OPER-

ATING IN INTERSTATE AND FOR-

EIGN COMMERCE, AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES

Cummins, Harold B., general manager, Houston Port and Traffic Bureau

185

Eastman, Joseph B., member, Interstate Commerce Commission _ _ _
Farley, Edward P., American-Hawaiian Steamship Co---

2, 57, 85

117, 124

Hallett, Ralph H., United States Maritime Commission

Fletcher, R. V., railroads.

Foster, Sparkman D., Nicholson Transit Co., Tri-Lakes Steamship Co., and
Ecorse Transit Co..

Hoopes, H. Townsend, president, Minnesota-Atlantic Transit Co..
Johnson, Gilbert R., Lake Carriers Association, Cleveland, Ohio.---
Laubenstein, R. J., traffic commissioner, Green Bay Association of Com-
merce, Green Bay, Wis...

Levis, W. P., Clyde-Mallory Lines--

Ross, J. H., Inland Water Petroleum Carriers Association.

119

209

122

222

150, 165

203

125

136

Smith, Hon. Martin F., Representative in Congress from Washington___
Stroop, David V., on staff of American Petroleum Institute..

120

216

Wait, J. Russell, general manager, Houston Port and Traffic Bureau......-

175

APPENDIX

Report of War Department..

231

Report of Interstate Commerce Commission__

234

Committee print showing amendments proposed by Mr. Eastman in report

of Interstate Commerce Commission..

252

Correspondence favoring bill-Collective bargaining for labor

Correspondence opposing bill from water carrier-viewpoint.

Correspondence opposing wharfinger provisions...

269,

274

289

III

REGULATION OF WATER CARRIERS

MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1937

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES,

Washington, D. C.

The committee met at 10 a. m., Hon. Schuyler O. Bland (chairman) presiding.

The CHAIRMAN. We will take up for consideration this morning H. R. 3615, known as the water-carrier bill. Since that bill was introduced a report has been received from the Interstate Commerce Commission which presents a copy of Senate bill 1400 with suggested amendments therein. With the consent of the author, or the gentleman who introduced the bill, Mr. Ramspeck, the hearings will be held on S. 1400, the committee print, rather than on H. R. 3615, the consideration of the bill favorably reported by the Interstate Commerce Commission being the important matter before the committee.

Committee prints of this bill have been made, and they are available to all who desire them. Witnesses intending to appear will please consider that bill in lieu of H. R. 3615.

The hearings will begin with the report from the Interstate Commerce Commission, followed by S. 1400, which is favorably reported. The bill has also been referred to the temporary Maritime Commission and a copy of their report will be incorporated in the record. The substance, however, is contained in the last paragraph, which reads as follows:

The United States Maritime Commission does not feel that at the present time it can make any definite recommendations or suggestions concerning the provisions of the bill.

A study will be made of the same in the hope that by the time the hearings are held by your committee in connection with it, a representative of the Commission can give such assistance to you as the study may warrant.

I do not know whether a representative of the Commission is present this morning or not. Is there a representative of the Martime Commission present?

Mr. NELSON. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Will you give your name.

Mr. NELSON. L. C. Nelson, Acting Director, Division of Reglation.

Mr. HALLOCK. Mr. Ralph H. Hallock, of the general counsel's office of the Martime Commission.

Mr. LACEY. Mr. Chairman, my name is E. L. Lacey; I am executive secretary of the National Industrial Traffic League. We hav asked to appear, but, before Mr. Eastman appears, may I say that

1