Evening journal., 1915-09-09
DECISION A BLOW
TO j. 5. SHIPPING
Seamen'S Law Interpreted to
Exempt Foreigners From
Drastic Section
EXPECTED TO CAUSE
REPEAL OF THE ACT

WASHINGTON. Sept "a large
proportion Of foreign ships in Ameri-
can trade and all vessels under the
American flag which were built in for
eign countries were declared exempt
from important provisions of the sea-
mems law in q decision made public
by Attorney General Gregory. The
decision places American registered
vessels under a great disadvantage. In
effect. the Attorney General decided
that Section IA of the law, defining
the number of life saving boats and
equipment. could not include foreign
registered vessels, except those OF
Russia, Italy and Greece.
The result Of the decision is that
foreign registered vessels, If they
comply with the laws of their coun-
try can receive certificates from
American port authorities without
complying with the specific require
ments of the seamen's law, which re-
quires a costly equipment for passen-
gers. In other words, vessels regis
tered under the American flag must
comply at q great cost
This decision is looked upon as a
severe blow 10 American shipping. 1t
is so discriminatory against Ameri-
! can registered vessels that IL is be-
lieved the next Congress viii repeal
| the act in Justice to American regis
| tered vessels. The navigation laws
Of the United States have been declar-
ed oppressive and restrictive upon
American commerce. This decision
strikingly emphasizes the point and
forecasts not only the repeal Of the
law, but the probable enactment by
the next Congress of a ship subsidy
law.
Failure OF Congress, in passing the
law at the last session. to repeal con-
fiicting statutes is given as the reason
for this exemption. Officials of the
Department Of Commerce said today
that II was practically certain that
Congress would be asked to AM nd
the seamen's law az the next session
although the amendments to be
sought have not been framed
Section IA OF the seamen's law, af-
fected by recent decision, adds greatly
TO the life-saving equipment demand
ed on passenger-carrying liners, re-
quiring them to carry lifeboats for al
least rs per cent. of the passengers on
board and pontoon RATS for the re-
mainder on board. Il compels steam
ships TO carry trained lifeboat men
holding government certificates. cap.
able Of understanding orders. which
prevents the use Of coolie life crews
and provides for weekly musters an,
drills.
This section amended Sections 440
- and 44SS Of the revised statutes. tn
former steamboat inspection laws
, without taking into consideration tn
4 fact that Section 4400 exempted YES
? sells of nations having inspection law
4 approXimating those Of the Unite
3 States from any other inspection a
r American ports. except such as
:. necessary to show that they compile
r with the laws OF their own countr,
y A certificate Of inspection from thei
4 home port was taken as proof tha
p they had so complied with the law.
Il am of the opinion" Attorne
F. General Gregory said, in his opinion
2 that when not actually carrying pas
y sengers. neither foreign cargo nor for
p eign passenger steam vessels are sui
y ject 10 the provisions Of Section 4