Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-08
PLAN TO TAKE HOOKING
CASE TO U. S. CONGRESS
Shippers Will Ask for Legislation
Giving Protection to Every Vessel
Flying American Flag.
AFTER NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN
Head Of American Transatlantic Conn
pany Says This Is Golden OppOr-
tunity for This Country to Build
Up Its Merchant Marine.
Especial to The Times Dispatch.

LSnecial TO The Times Dispatch.l
| NEW YORK, November New
! York shippers will appeal to Congress
! in the Hooking case. Legislation will
! be demanded giving full national pro-
lection to every ship flying the Amcri-
can dag.
| II. q. Wagner. president OF tho
American Transatlantic Company. own
crs of the Hooking and the Winnie
| come, made this announcement. The
demand will be based upon the seizure
| Of the Hooking and the refusal of
Secretary of State Lansing to Euaran-
! tee the steamer Winncconne safety on
her forthcoming voyage TO Swedish
| ports.
The campaign Will be warcd on the
pressing need for an American mer-
chant marine. Shippers in every big
port of the United States and boards
! of trade and chambers OF commerce. as
well will be urged to join in the move
mcnt.
Each Senator and Representative In
| Congress will be made fully acquainted
! by letter with the facts regarding the
Hooking and the Winneconnc. It will
be shown that these, as we'll as the
nine other ships owned by the Amcri-
can Transatlantic Company were
granted American registry under the
act OF Congress passed after tho be-
ginning Of the European war, to insure
registry for foreign built ships. and
with the specific purpose OF building
up an American merchant marine. II
VIII be pointed out that despite this,
the Hooking was seized by a British
cruiser on her first voyage out OF New
York. not even bound for European
waters. but loaded in ballast for Nor
folk. whence she was to carry coal 10
Argentina.
CAN GIVE NO ASSURANCE
OF SAFETY FROM SEIZURE
Further representations will be made
that the Hooking has been sent TO :,
British prize court at Halifax, and
that, with the Winneconne facing the
same fate. Secretary of State Lansing
appealed TO by +. II. Graham, who has
chartered tho ship from the American
Transatlantic Company. has been in
formed by Secretary Lansing that the
government can give him no assurance
OF protection from seizure by the
British.
In immense petition to Congress for
relief from this situation will prob
ably he circulated throughout the
United States.
NJ. Wagner said to-day:
1T seems to me that this is Il citizens
tEht IT We arc ever 10 build up
merchant marine. this is the golden OBJ
poTtuniiy. iut we must have Congress
behind us. II the government viii not
support shipoNners. there Is little use
OF any effort being made. In point
OF fact. the capital 10 establish "a mcr-
camille marine will not be forthcom
i'ig, If 1t is not TO have the moral
support Of The government
so ] have in mind an appeal TO
chipping men and exporters through
cut the country. ] believe II sufficient
demand Il made upon Congress-, relief
from Inc present strargliug conditions
can be obtained. Before acting. how
ever. ] viii wait = day or two longer
for reply from Secretary Lansing to
my appeals ] believe / am entitled TO
some answer. and out OF courtesy to
MN. shall take no further action
aside from protecting my interests in
quebec until he has had fun oppor-
tuntty TO communicate with me"