DEBATE DEADLOCKS ON SHIP SUBSIDY

At the second meeting of the Harvard Debating Union at the Union last night, the Conservatives, upholding the Jones Ship Subsidy Bill, were awarded the decision by Dean D. M. Little '18 who presided, the vote of the audience having been tied at 27 to 27, after more than an hour and a half of discussion, in which every phase of the question was brought up. The Conservative Club was represented by H. C. Lodge Jr. '24 and Oliver La Farge '24, while the Progressive Club's representatives were J. D. Du Bois '24 and F. A. O. Schwarz '24.

Lodge, who spoke first for the Conservative wing, maintained that a merchant marine is essential to our industrial and national safety, and that this bill would make it possible for us to turn to active service, under private ownership, the bottoms that now lie rotting at the wharves.

He was followed by DuBois, who spoke on the economic point of view, showing that the United States is, and always will be, at a disadvantage in the shipping industry, and that this bill means simply taxation to promote an industry in which we are at a disadvantage. He also pointed out that English shipping is not subsidized.

La Farge then demonstrated that, although English shipping is not now subsidized, there is no need of it because of former subsidies which succeeded in putting the industry on its feet. Schwarz then pointed out that the ship subsidy is neither economically nor financially sound, but simply places a premium on inefficiency.

The debate was then thrown open to the entire assemblage, and many points which were not brought out in the main speeches because of lack of time were discussed. Among other things considered were the possiblity of another war, on of a conflict with England, as well as the doubtful reliability of foreign merchant marines in time of stress.