The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-10-27
Sh|P0WNfRS WANT

lin world commerce and materially
contributed to extension of American
foreign trade. American capital has
lake and river trade where all COM
petitors are on the same basis
Government Ownership Opposed.
The announcement OF the govern
ment ownership policy" said the re-
port, caused dtsmay among those who
believed the economic situation Great
ed by world war would permit the
steady development Of a greater car
rying fleet attracting pFtvMtk capital
and aiding the growth OF our national
wealth. The policy was launched In
September. 1914. before commercial
and financial enterprise had recov-
cred from the initial shock Of war
and before plans for any large ship
ping venture could have been inau-
gurated.
The menace OF government ccmpeti-
ton has not since been removed.
It Is not strange that American CAPT.
tai has displayed little inclination to
embark upon shipping ventures. which
the government promised Immediately
to oppose with uneconomic compete
ton.
This alone was sufficient eeter-
rent, but in the midst of the agita-
ton another unfavorable policy was
introduced by the enactment of the
seamen's law which. in its present
shape, places virtually upon American
ships alone In foreign trade burdens
| In excess of those found In the mari
time legislation OF any nation with
which American ships are expected
to compete.
To Face keeneF Csspetitten.
with the return Of peace. the ex-
porters OF European countries will be-
of our exporters.
They will be under the necessity
Of developing their export trade to
help pay foreign debt contracted during
the war and every inch OF cost. such a.
hire, freight rates added to our ex-
port business win be serious handi-
cap"
| For the determination Of businsss-
like and exact policy the council makes
the following Recommendation. which
| have been ssnt to- The President. TO
members of the cabinet and to all
senator's and representatives:
Roeeanenaatisn Made.
! 1. That Congress establish a per-
manent shipping board, composed Of
! fve members who shall be men ex-
! perienced In shipping and foreign trade.
This board shall recommend to Con-
| gress such revision and modornixa-
| tion Of all United States laws relating
to shipping as It deems nscessary and
| shall permanently discharge all the
functions Of the Federal government
relating thereto. This board shall
constitute a permanent advisory body
empowered to recommend to Congress
| the measures necessary for tho matn-
tsnance Of United States shipping
upon an equitable competitive basis
with other nations.
:. That the board bring to the at
tenticn Of Con9rsss the necessity for
notifications Of the speed require
| ments Of the mail act OF 1881 in special
cases.. 50 that the establishment of
mail communications with South Amer
lea. South Africa. Australia and the Far
| EAst may be considered from the sew
eral points Of view OF the cost OF
operation of such lines and Of the
speeds ~ which II - desirable thaf
these liners maintain.
;. That the board shall likewise re-
port on measures necessary to render
investment in American chipping safe
and attractive to private capital
L. That the President be empowered
/ to suspend the operation OF such OF
! the provisions Of tho aeamen'a act
! (appiicable to American vessels, Nov,
r.. 1915: foreign vessels March 1. 1910
las he may consider detrimental to the
interest Of American shipping. until
ssohgrsas, having before Ii the advfcs
Of the shipping board. has revised, and
1 mOderntaed the unitad states navi-
cation laws. 81 II thfe sus2ens1en u
Aeensd net expsdieAt M CoSsrsss