The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14
SHIPPING LEAGUE
FORMS Big PLAN
Baltimore Association Would
Build Merchant Marine.
1T WILL ASK MAIL SUBSIDY
Anticipating Early Competition of
Pnnamn Canal, 1t Is Proposed 10
Chesapeake Cities 20 COIOn-UIti-
mateIy II VIII Go TO Chile.

Norfolk. Va. Nov 13.-To rehabnitate
the merchant marine Of the United Safes
and dot the ocean with vessels flying the
American flag is the purpose Of the
Shipping League Of Baltimore. It's scope
takes In the entire Atlantic coast, and
II may establish an Office in Norfolk 10
promote n Baltimore-Norfolk steamship
line TO Panama.
The Shipping League OF Baltimore IS
an organization recently formed. backed
by fifty of the most prominent people
IN the city. It is financed by a number
OF prominent interests which have con-
tributed $1,000 each for it's support
The movement for the establishment Of
the new line IS a well-dehned one, which
has the cooperation of a number of
steamship men who are working 70 build
up Baltmore's shipping interests. and
incidentally make Norfolk como In for
a large share Of the benefits
The movement anticipates the COM
pletion OF the Panama Canal and contem-
plates some action by the next Congress
favorable 20 the merchant marine, and
will urge that a bill embracing all Of its
needs be introduced and passed. so as 70
allow ample time for building up
coastwise trade before the canal is COM
pleted.
Build Merchant Marine.
B. n. Baker, Of Baltimore. president Of
the league and former president and
owner Of the Atlantic Transport Com
pany, one of the most successful ship
ping enterprises ever launched I'm this
country. since absorbed by the Inter
national Mercantile Marine. Is enthu-
siastic over the prospects OF giving new
life 20 American shipping interests
through the establishment Of the shipping
League. and I'm speaking OF NOTfOlk's
opportunities Of deriving benefit from a
rehablitated American merchant marine
declared recently that no other city on
the Atlantic seabOard can hope 20 accrue
as much good.
The proposed line from Baltimore 20
Panama win touch az this port and again
at Key West. Fla. the latter point for
the United States mail. but these plans
cannot be attained unless favorable con-
gressional legislation IS secured. Colon
will be its destination until the canal IS
opened. then the expectation IS 20 extend
the line 10 Guayaqul and Valparaiso,
bringing the west coast OF South Amer
lea into immediate touch with the east
coast Of North America.
The only subsidy which the Baltimore
people expect from Congress would be
advantageous contracts Tor carrying the
mail from Key West southwark Il IS
believed that the great shipping interests
Of Baltimore combined with those Of
Norfolk and Key West will furnish sUf-
ficlent tonnage for the profitable operation
Of such a line
No Ships 10 Use Canal.
It is a geographical fact although not
frequently noticed. that a direct line
drawn southwark from Norfolk will touch
at points all along the west coast OF
South America. and these are rapidly
opening up 10 new development. It is
from these points that the new line hopes
TO derive much Of its benefit after the
completion OF the Panama Canal The
United States f. spending millions OF
dollars 70 build the canal, but has fewer
ships to use Il than any other nation
actively engaged IN merchant marine:
hence, unless something is done to slim
ulate American shipping Interests. foreign
nations will enjoy the benefit Of Amer
lean dollars and ingenuity. will which
build the big ditch.
VIII Aid Both cities.
That Norfolk IS peculiarly interested in
this shipping development IS evident
when Baltimore's new organization looks
to this port as one Of the pivotal points
in the proposed lines What benefits
Baltimore in the shipping line cannot help
but reflect upon Norfolk, and while there
has existed natural rivalry between the
two ports, fair-minded Baltimoreans are
not slow TO appreciate the valuable as
sistance Norfolk can render in movements
Of this kind.
The success Of the whole project mar
rows itself down TO the enactment OF a
| favorable ship subsidy and merchant ma
rine bill The Shipping League IS firm
IN the belief that the appointment Of a
commission TO report 20 the President and
Postmaster-General upon the claims of
these ports for the establishment of mail
lines. will best subserve and promote the
postal interests Of the United States; and
it further believes that just and equi-
table division of service can only be Sc
cured after careful consideration by a
commission thoroughly posted as TO mari
time and commercial conditions existing
| in both United States and foreign ports
with which it is desired TO establish
steamship communication.
If this equitable distribution IS guaran-
teed by Congress. it is the purpose Of the
Shipping League 10 encourage the estab-
| lIshment Of steamship lines to Colon, ulti-
mately extending to the west coast OF
South America.
Chfcory Used I'm Franco