The Washington times., 1915-01-25
HIGH OCEAN RATES
CHECK U.S.. TRADE
McAdoo and RedfieId Submit
Correspondence to Senate
Showing Extortion by Lines.

A mass Of letters written Dy Ameri-
can business men was submitted to the
United States Senate today by Secre-
taries McAdoo and Redfield in response
to the resolution adopted by the Senate
scme weeks ago asking for Information
regarding tho ocean freight rate situ-
alton. The correspondence IL that Of
firms engaged in the export trade and
1t tells Of extraordinary increases in
rates since the outbreak Of war.
An analysis Of the exporters COM
plants was submitted with the letters.
Parts Of 1t follow:
Rates have been arbitrarily increased
to an unparalleled height without re-
gard to tho interests Of the American
trade.
Stopping Some Expectations.
High rates are actually stopping ex-
portations In some lines. Plants have
been shut down in consequence.
Arbitrary and hurtful discrimination
is made against certain classes of
goods; lumber. for instance. Similar
land would be cause for criminal prose-
cution.
Rates to South America have been
greatly increased. and there 10 Q short
age of tonnage both to and from there.
The direct charge Is made that the
Holland "A merican line has rcpudiated
written contracts with American ship
pers.
Examples of Increases.
Striking examples of increases are:
On grain, from New York to Rotter-
dam. 800 per cent: on ndur. 500 per
cent; on cotton, 100 per cent.
New York to Liverpool rates or
same commodities. 800 to 500 per cent
Baltimore to Europe rates on grain
| 900 per cent; on flour. 364 per cent; or
| cotton, GA per cent.
Norfolk to Liverpool grain rates
l57 to 200 per cent; on cotton. 1Ss pei
| cent.
Norfolk to Rotterdam cotton rates
All per cent.
LOO per cent Nrom 3l.25 per bale t.
SIS per bale).
Savannah to Liverpool, from $50 pei
cent; to Bremen. 900 per cent.
| Galveston to Liverpool. on grain IL
per cent; on cotton. 3S1 per cent: tt
| cent.
Rates Still Going Up.
| Even higher rates were being re
ported while the abatement was being
| completed. says the report. adding:
ocean rates are still rising and ART
| limited only by the greed of thu
| steamship owners on the one hant
! and by what the traffic can stand OF
the other.
THE Government has no power t.
| control or regulate ocean freigh
| rates; 1t cannot, under existing law
protect our foreign trade agains
! these extortionate and hurtfu
| charges. The steamship owners car
| increase rates without notice and up
| on the instant, and our business met
are helpless.
Damaging American Trade.
THE steamship companies are theil
| own masters and do as they please
with the transportation Of our ex.
ports. As already shown. they arl
| seriously checking our foreign trade
| and in some cases. such as lumber an(
| coal, are stopping it altog ether
| If exports by sea continue for the
twelve months Of 1915. 1t Is predicted
| In the report. at the December rate
! and the ocean rates are continued
American farmers and business mer
| will pay to shipowners (principall!
foreigD excess charges above nor
NAL to the amount OF 32l6.224.40O. o.
more than i've times the $40.000.o0
which the Government proposes b!
| the ship purchase bill to put int
| American ships for the protection O
Americss foreign commerce.