New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-24
BUSINESS WEN
OPPOSE FEDERAL
SHIP OWNERSHIP
u. S. Chamber of Com
MERGE Votes Against a
Government Marine.
BODY SUPPORTS
SUBSIDY SYSTEM
Members Favor a S30,OOO,OOO
Development Company, with
Stock Held by U. 5.

rFrom The Tribune Bu:saul
Washington, June 23.-By an over
whelming referendum vote, the United
States Chamber Of Commerce has OPP
posed government ownership OF ships
and government ownership but leasing
TO private corporations for operation.
The chamber is in favor of ship sub
sides to build up an American mer-
chant marine and subventiOns to es-
tablish regular mail and freight lines
TO countries in which the commercial
interests Of the United States are I'M
portaut.
The referendum was ordered at the
annual meeting Of the United states
Chamber Of Commerce, when the nghU
on the ship purchase bill was at lts
height in Congress. The tilibuster IN
the senate was in full blast, while 1t
was being planned TO rush the meas
ure through the House.
Following are the questions sent out
and the votes for and against them;
"po you favor the government under
taking the purchase, construction or
charter Of vessels for mercantile pur..
noses. together with the operation or
such vessels?" In favor, 50; opposed
COS.
"Do you favor ownership OF mer-
chant vessels by the government, but
with operation by private parties under
leases? In favor, "a; opposed, ILL.,
In Favor of Subsidies.
90 you favor subsidies from the
government sufficient 10 offset tne an
ference in cost between operation OF
vessels under the American nag ana
operation in the same deep-sea trades
under foreign flags" In favor 600;
opposed, 1856.
"Do YOU favor subvention from the
government to establish regular man
and freight lines under the American
Gag TO countries in which the CONNER
ciai interests of the United States are
important and to American dependen-
cies ?? In favor, 7l8: opposed, IS.
"Tha committee recommends the Gre
alton of Federal Shipping Board 10
investigate and report TO Congress re-
garding the navigation laws ana 70
have full jurisdiction, under the Jaw
in all matters pertaining TO oversee
transportation" In favor, o4oi oP-
posed, ll6.
"The committee recommends that the
Government subscribe 10 the entire
stock of a marine development com
many with capital of S3OOOO,OOO, THIS
comnanv 10 have authority for seven
cars TO lend. under supervision OF
tho Federal Shipping Board, upon the
security of first mortgages on mer..
chant vessels, taking as evidence OF
This Indebtedness bonds which bear a
fair rate of interest and contain pro-
visions for amortization, the develop
ment company TO guarantee the pondSS
as 10 principal and interest ana sen
tbor 70 the public" In favor, 422;
opposed, 3l4.
Lower Speed Advocated.
"The committee recommends that
the ocean mail law OF 1891 be amended
by lowering the speed for hrst class
steamers from twenty to sixteen KNOTS
and for second class steamers from
sixteen 10 twelve knots, and by making
/ the compensation adequate 10 permit
/ the establishment Of lines OF steam,
ships carrying both mail and frelght'
In favor, $780, opposed, 10.
"Tbe committee recommends that
there should be legislation abolishing
deferred rebates and providing for
snnorvision of rates by the Federal
Shining Board, with requirements Tor
fiirG with the board schedules OF rates
and all agreements among oversee
lines" In favor, COZ; opposed, l3l.
"The committee recommends that
. federal licenses should be taken out
bv lines, domestic and foreign, engaged
in shipping between ports Of the
/ limited States and other countries.
4 In favor. 6l6; opposed, III.
Commenting on the result OF the ref
erendum Secretary McAdoo said:
"The result of the referendum Of the
/ Chamber of Commerce of the United
States does not, as understand IT, rep
resent a vote Of the members Of that
body upon the ship purchase bill. I'm
fortunately. the referendum was so
prepared that no vote was taken upon
/ The plan proposed in the last Congress
10 have the government subscribe stock
! in a corporation which was to operate
ships.
orendum are those relating to govern
rant ownership. Neither of them rep
resents the ship purchase bill, which
provided for the government taking
stock in a private corporation when
was to own and operate ships. This
would be done in exactly the same
manner as the government owns the
capital stock Of the Panama Railroad
! Conn any, which operates ships between
| New York and Panama.
There is n wide difference between
the government, as a government, hold
/ ing and operating ships, and the gov
eminent becoming a stockholder in
private corporation which is to own
and operate the ships. In the latter
case the officers and directors are
chosen by the corporation, are free
from political influence, and the bust
ness is conducted in the same effective
and efficient manner as a corporation
/ financed entirely by private capital