Evening star., 1914-08-07
DANIELS ANXIOUS
T0M0VE COMMERCE
Hopes to Use Naval Vessels to
Garry Wheat and
Cotton.
AWAITS CONGRESS- ACTION
ON SHIP REGISTRY BILL
If Measure Is Passed Within Two
Months Boats Will Be Available
to Handle All Business.

Secretary Daniels has hopes that Ameri-
moving, through authority contained in
the bill which has just passed the Senate.
providing that naval vessels may be used
for carrying mail. freight and express to
South American and European ports.
The problem of transporting American
surplus grain, now piling UP at the sea-
board and on its way by train from the
great west, is today one of the gravest
of those to be solved by this govern
ment in connection with the war in Eu-
rope.
Just now," said Secretary Daniels.
there Is need for large ships to carry
cotton and wheat to Europe If Congress
will authorize 1t, the navy can at once
give help in carrying cotton and wheat.
as we'll as a little later in carrying mail
and light freight. We could within a
few days use four large Golfers for carry
ing heavy freight. On each one of these
we could carry an average of 5000 bales
of cotton or 400. 900 bushels of wheat.
"By the first Of October we could COM
mission two more freight carrying col
liers, with capacity of 2sOOO bales OF
cotton or 100000 bushels of wheat. This
use of such navy craft would add needed
valuable naval auxiliary service.
Need of Additional Ships.
'If Congress would authorize additional
ships for commercial service it would not
only meet the present emergency. but
greatly increase the carrying capacity In
American bottoms. 1t would at the same
time provide such auxiliaries to the navy
NJ "a
In the meantime, with Congress delay
Ing action on tho ship registry BILL moth
ing can be accomplished toward procur-
ing vessels for trade.
The hands Of the government and its
enterprising shipping men are tied until
this bill is enacted. Such law will per-
nit the buying of foreign boats and CIV
ing them registry under the United
States flag. Without an enabling law no
additional bottoms can be obtained to
carry grain to Europe. Any boat, no
matter how recently it has been owned
registered Immediately under this act. as
suring safety in Its errand of commerce.
Boats in Two Months.
It was estimated at the navigation bu-
reau that within less than two months
after the passage of the measure there
would be sufficient new boats flying tn,
American flag to take care of the grain
piling up In Philadelphia. New York.
Newport News and other large shipping
centers In addition to obtaining ocean
going vessels from other foreign owners,
many vessels now engaged in the coast
wise trade and to the West Indies will be
diverted temporarily to European service.
There will be no difficulty in buying all
the vessels necessary. Foreign owners
will gladly agree to sell, as they cannot
sail safely under the flags of nation at
war These boats will be able to carry
grain and all things that are not contra
band to countries at war.
Secretary Redfeld of the Department
of Commerce said that this government
could do nothing until the new registry
law was enacted. He looks for prompt
action on the part of American capital,
and is of the opinion that fleet of mer-
chantman acquired under the new law,
will be in readiness in six weeks at least.
Second in Commerce Ships.
The United States ranks second in num-
ber and tonnage of vessels engaged in
commerce. This is due to the large num-
Der engaged In lake, ocean and coastwise