Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-18
The Shipping Bill.

The Shipping Bill.
Stirred by the successful revolt on
the Philippines bill and by the rejec-
ton Of the government-ow nitrate
plant which the army bill proposes, adj
ministration leaders in Congress are
now attempting to modify the provis-
ions of the shipping bill SO as to avert
another defeat for one Of the Presi-
dents pet measures.
There is good ground for the fear
which this course evidences. The same
men who were most active in opposi-
ton to the Philippines bill are opposed
to the shipping bill. Their opposition is
not so much with reference to details
Of the measure as to the underlying
principle of government ownership,
and it is doubtful If they can be won
to support the proposition in any form.
However, the subcommittee which has
the bill in charge is now endeavoring
to tinker the project SO as to make 1t
applicable only for five years, at the
end Of which time the government
owned ships are to be sold, and If no
customer appears they are to be with
drawn from operation.
In this form the measure would be a
mere makeshift and a costly one at
that 1t might save the Presidents
face" but there is no warrant Of law
for expanding millions Of public mon
ey for that purpose. Moreover, 1t is ex-
tremely doubtful If the shipping bill
can command a majority of the House
no matter how it is tinkered. There is
suspicion of the bills origin in Wash
ington which cannot be lulled-and if
the administration leaders who are
now taxing their brains with the prob
lem, really wish to do something eff
fective with the shipping bill they will
forthwith abandon it utterly.
In finding inadequate the present ad-
ministration shipping bill for the Gre
alton Of an effective merchant marine,
the National Foreign Trade Council in
"a report submitted Thursday to Con-
gress, declared that the proposed $780,
600, 900 bond issue for fleet of ships
to make this country's trade independ-
ent Of foreign shipping would be far
too small and that from $3.50, 100000 to
81, o40, OoO, 900 would be nearer the mark.
The report further held that until
definite federal shipping policy was
adopted much like that in force in
England, investors would be disinclin-
ed to embark in such venture. The
main proposal advanced by the council
advocates the creation of non-parti-
san shipping board comprised of men
experienced in shipping and foreign
trade and unclaimed to any policy
seeking government ownership or OPP
Grafton, or any wholesale regulation Of
ocean freight rates.
The three chief objects of truly ma
tional shipping policy. says the report,
should permit and encourage the de-
velopment of merchant fleet dis
charging the following functions: First,
TO increase the national income and
domestic prosperity through greater
facilities for the sale abroad of prod
ucts Of the soil and industry of the
United States, through the importation
of materials and indispensable to life
and industry and through the freights
collected from world commerce; sec
ond, to maintain under the flag, COM
munication with distant possessions;
and third, to aid the national defense
and maintain commerce during the
ligerent or neutral"
After an analysis Of the amount and
character of tonnage necessary to
serve American foreign commerce be-
fore the European war, the Council in
its report reaches the conclusion that
with the $50,000,O00 derived from the
proposed bond issue not more than &c.,
900 gross tons Of shipping can be pro-
vided at existing prices or less than
one-tenth of the minimum amount ne
cessary to establish the United States
in the position sought. Nothing like
GOO, 900 gross tons is available from the
few nations which, during the war,
permit alienation Of their merchant
men vessels. American shipyards will
not guarantee deliveries of new con-
struction within two years. Rear Adj
miral Benson has testified that the ut
most the navy yards can guarantee. if
assured prompt deliveries Of materials
is six 10000 ton ships in two years"
< On the assumption that the carriage
of go per cent. of American foreign
commerce in American vessels would
render this country Independent. and
in view Of the fact that in 1915, 1871 SAB
tons Of American shipping carried 14.S
per cent. Of the total foreign commerce,
the committee estimates that between
.0oo. 900 and 100000 gross tons Of
shipping would be required. And at the
prevailing rate Of construction before
tho war Of $50 a ton and of 500 ton