CONTENTS Barber, A. B., manager, Transportation and Communications Depart- ment, Chamber of Commerce of the United States.. Draper, Norman, representing the Institute of American Meat Packers__ Belnap, Nuel D., representing the National Industrial Traffic League__ Cole, Francis T., representing the American Manufacturers' Export Asso- Paton, Thomas B., representing the American Bankers Association Nunnally, W. J., Jr., representing the American Institute of Marine Campbell, Ira A., representing American Steamship Owners' Association_ Haight, Charles S., representing bills of lading committee, International Knauth, Arnold W., representing the Maritime Law Association of the Fullbright, R. C., representing American Cotton Shippers' Association APPENDIX III UNIFORM OCEAN BILLS OF LADING TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1936 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 have met this morning, gentlemen, to consider Senate bill 1152, which has been passed by the Senate and referred to this committee. This is an act relating to the carriage of goods by Similar bills have been before the committee several times in the past, but there are only three members of the present committee who have heard the discussions on the bill. sea. The bill has been submitted to the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of State for report. The Department of Justice has reported, and its report will be incorporated in the hearings immediately following the bill. There will also be incorporated, without objection, Document No. 211, issued January 1935 by the Maritime Law Association of the United States, which is referred to in the last paragraph of the report by the Department of Justice, with the exception that there will be deleted. the copy of the bill as it passed the Senate, because that will be in this report. I will also file report of the Department of Commerce, which is very interesting, as it discusses the matter historically, cites a number of cases, and suggests a few clarifying amendments; but the Secretary states that, rather than have the bill imperiled in its passage by the adoption of those amendments, they would prefer to have the bill passed as it is. The report is so long that I will not undertake to read it now; but, for the benefit of the committee, as the subject is a very interesting and important one, I will have advance copies of the hearings printed at once so that the committee may have before them at least the copies of the reports from the departments. So far as my correspondence shows, there is a considerable demand for the passage of this legislation from all parts of the country. In fact, last year, after the bill passed the Senate, shortly before the adjournment of Congress, there was a considerable demand for early action; but, as only three members of this committee had heard anything about this subject or knew anything about it, I thought it was only fair to the committee that they should give the matter independent consideration, as this committee is not a rubber stamp for the Senate or anybody else. And, so far as the correspondence shows, I can find, in going through that correspondence last night, no objection that has been interposed by anyone. 1 |