The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-14
ENGLAND IN GLOOM
TRADE CONDITIONS AND OUTLOOK
APPAL HER.
THE STEAMSHIP LINE DEALS,
PRESIDENT OF ATLANTIC TRANS
PORT LINE TALKS.

Morgan, but the Combine with the
LeyIand Lines Is Not Yet "a Fact,
but the Probability Is That IL viii
Be-EngIish Manufacturers Begin
ming to Realize That They Are Far
Behind Germany and United States
and That They Are in Danger of
Losing the Ocean Carrying Busi-
ness.
New York, May 13.-President Bernard
n. Baker, of the Atlantic Transport Line,
arrived here from London tonight on the
steamship Minneapolis. He went to Eng
land a short time ago for the purpose
of securing, through the aid of j. P. Nor
gan, the consolidation of the Atlantic
Transport and Leyland lines the fleets of
which will then aggregate 10000 tons.
Should the deal be consummated the COM
bined lines will be the largest in the world
President Baker, when first spoken 10
on the subject of the combination of the
companies seemed reluctant to discuss
the matter but finally admitted that the
combine had as yet no legal standing,
but there is a likelihood that IN the near
1ulul6 luOSS COlllIOlIlnS the Two ilu6S
may find it to their interest to amalga-
mate. President Baker said that the
English people have just begun to realize
that the United States ana Germany are
far ahead of them in the manufacture Of
machinery and are fast taking possession
of the ocean carrying business. This is
because these countries are operating the
most improved TOOLS while the English
still adhere to antiquated methods which
are costly as we'll as slow
EnGIand's Gloomy Outlook
There is the most gloomy outlook in
England, he said on account of this dis
covery of the real state of things, and it
is there believed that Germany with her
fast growing colonies, will be a more
dangerous competitor than the United
States at the present time. President
Baker also said that the London docks,
which originally cost millions TO build.
are not suitable for the docking of the
monster vessels now plying the ocean and
Parliament has recently passed an act al
lowing them to be rebuilt
1T costs a shilling a ton to handle
the Atlantic ports here" said President
Baker. Yet to handle the same cargo
when ID arrives in England costs three
shillings a ton. This is because the Eng
hsh dock laborers, who belong to unions,
are opposed to the introduction of quick
handling machinery on the theory that
they are labor-saving devices, while as a
matter of fact these devices give more
men work. The same can be said of the
Nrly ~, he feb nrfa iG
slow and costly and as modern methods
are tabooed the manufacturers now real
ize when it is too late that they cannot
compete with goods made in this country
or Germany.
Effect of the Combine.
"To further reduce the expense of op
Grating the Atlantic Transport and Ley
land lines which have always been
friendly competitors and control the en-
tire carrying trade to London, which
amounts to 900 tons a week from
American ports. or to 100000 tons a year,
community of interest would be nee
essary. l have had my engineers pre-
pare plans for new docks on the other
side of the Atlantic, the sites have been
selected and surveyed and of course the
joint use of these by the steamers of the
two lines would be saving and profit
able investment. / know Mr.. Morgan
has purchased the Leyland line, but just
what he is going to do with it at this time
l cannot say. If a great deal is
bout to be consummated. and, as reports
say / am interested in it as chairman of
the board of directors, and the principal
stockholder in the Atlantic Transport line.
do you think it would be proper for me
to discuss the terms or probable agree
ment in advance? | can say, however.
that at the present time the Atlantic
Transport Line Is alone, but cannot say
what may happen in the near future. l
have had several interviews with Mr..
| Morgan. There is nothing in
the reputed absorption of the
American or Red Star lines, or the
talk about the White Star and Cunard
Lines combining The absorption of the
Atlas Line by the Hamburg American
Company was necessary for the interests
of the latter corporation. l don't think,
however, that there will be a change Of
flag because if there is some English
line may enter the West Indies and Cen
traI America trade. There is too much
gloom in England now TO make any
change in that direction.
Their Tremendous Tonnage.
"The tonnage of the Leyland Line is
now about 10000 tons and the vessels
they are building or have contracted for
will make an increase of 10000 tons or
an aggregate of 10000 tons in all. The
present tonnage of the Atlantic Trans
port line Is about 10000 tons and the ves-
sells building and contracted for wli
measure nearly 100000 tons or roughly
25O.OOO tons in all This would make an
aggregate tonnage. were the two lines
combined Of over 100000 tons. The
Hamburg-American would be next with
$50. 900 tons. and the North German Lloyd
tbtrd with its 800 900 tons"