Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-11
SENATE COMMITTEE SEEKING Tc
DETERMINE FAILURE TO DE-.
vELoP BUSINESS.
NAVIGATION REGULATIONS
HELD TO BE TOO STRICT
System Of Measurement, Crew Re.
quirements, Inspection Rules and
Other Requirements Said TO 30
Holding Back Development Of Ocean.
Going Business.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, March 1.-THE house
committee on merchant marine and
fisheries has been trying lately to find
! out why it is the merchant marine OF
this country seems unable to take a
part worth the mention in interna-
tional commerce and why the carry
ing trade on the ocean is done under
other flags than the American.
Various reasons have been advanced
for this and Chairman Alexander will
b-conmittee, at the same time
calling on Secretary Of Commerce
Redf1eld for information in regard to
American shipping regulations.
Lately, it has been asserted by rep
resentatives Of shipping interests on
the Pacific coast that the chief diff
cuties in the way Of development of
the American merchant marine are
regulations Of the bureau of navigation
and the steamboat inspection service
of the department Of commerce. 1t is
declared that leaving American legis-
lation out Of the question, these reg
dioSioIiS a. SdAAA oS ~ AohoASdP th0
American shipowner when he attempts
to compete with the ships of Europe
and Japan. This is a phase of the
not been much discussed. The house
committee would like to know more
about it.
Regulations Too Strict.
Recently in hearings before the
merchant marine committee. Congress-
man Hardy, Of Texas, asked why 1t
was that under the provision in the
Panama canal act for bringing foreign
built ships under the American flag
not single foreign built vessel had
come in under the flag and availed 1t
self Of the new law.
This was discussed by different wit
nesses, including Capt. Robert Dollar,
of San Francisco, who is president OF
company that has shipping line IN
the oriental trade, and Robert III.
Swayne, San Francisco steamship
agent. They were talking of general
conditions in the shipping business ana
their views were intended to apply TO
both the Atlantic and the Pacific. They
found fault with American regulations
as too strict and such as to make II
impossible for the American ship TO
compete with foreign rivals.
The remedy they want is changes IN
the regulations SO that competition
will be practicable. They say Amer
lean ingenuity will do the rest If 1t mas
an even chance.
Reasons For Complaint.
The shipowners, Of course, complain
of excessive crew requirements. II IS
doubtful, however, if they can make
much Roadway in respect to this com
plant. But apart from crews. there
are other matter Of which they COM
plant. For instance, it is asserted inc
American system of measurement OPP
crates to the great disadvantage ol
American ships. The American shlps
are so measured as to appear ABOUT 81
per cent larger than the British ac
cording to Captain Dollar. When an
American ship goes to foreign port
she has to pay tonnage dues, pllotase
and other charges on the OASIS u
American measurement. This operates
TO penalize the American snip.
Inspection regulations are COM
n1ained of as too severe and sucn as
to handicap the American Vessei III
comparison with vessels flying torelsn
flags. .ua
Another difficulty is that shipbuila-
ing costs more here than abroad. II IS
urged that there is no Standardization
of American vessels and that II 'here
were it would be possible to lower con-
struction costs materially.
The testimony before the commlttee
on the matter of shipping regulations
is looked on as illuminating by some
of the committee. Some think IL prom :
ises to open way to Rehabilitation ol
American shipping without re1erence
to subsidies, which have been SO per
sistently advocated as the remedy lo'
the existing situation.