New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-31

the further power TO list such vessels
as vessels OF the United states naNnl
auxiliary reserve. and as many OF INC
officers and crews OF such vessels az
may volunteer for the purpose may be
enrolled "a members OF the naval aux
iliary reserve and be entitled 20 receive
the retainer allowance from tho United
States while so enrolled and at the
rates 90 be fixed by the board. not TO
exceed an allowance Of 50 month Tor
enlisted mon. $40 month for petty
officers. 81 month for warrant ON
GERS and SIS month for officers.
Shipyards Aid Defence.
81 take it for granted that all Ame.-
leans would prefer 90 have vessels
built in American Shpyards, II AIDE
Quate facilities are provided and me
costs are reasonable | regard we'll
equipped shlpyards. manned by expert
craftsmen. an important factor in pro
viding for our national defence. am
told by those qualified TO speak at this
time that vessels Of type 10 meet
the requirements Of the bill can be
built i'm our own shipyards at less cost
than abroad, and | believe this VIII
continue FOR years. As these vessels
for the most part will be of new CON
struction, great consideration should
be given 10 the types Of vessels 10 lie
employed IN different trades.
"Nessels built by the board IN Amer
lean shipyardS. and such naval auXil-
iaries belonging 10 the naval establish
ment and vessels belonging 20 the war
Department as are suitable for com
mercial uses and not required for use
in the navy or by the War Department
in time of peace. and vessels now
owned and operated by the Panama
Railroad Company. may be transferred
TO the board and may be operated
leased or sold for use in the coastwise
as well as in the foreign trade. YES
sells which may be purchased by me
board of foreign construction may ne
used only in the foreign trade, under
the provisions OF the bill.
zone of the most important pro
visions in the bill is contained in Sec
tion 9 Of the bill. which vests in the
board plenary power TO regulate com
mon carriers of passengers and prep
ertv by water. IL should be noted
however. that the exercise OF such
power is not made mandatory. ara
should not be. as conditions OF franc
by water are very different from those
by rail. and it Will take time and ex-
perience in administering the law %
determine how far the power TO fcsu-
late rates may be wisely exercised IN
ocean transportation, and particularly
in the foreign trade, where American
shipping will come in sharp com1ch-
ton with foreign shipping.
"Thc board is given power TO make n
thorough study Of our navigation laws
and into the organization and coheucI
and management OF common carriers
by water. and TO make report 10 thS
President. who. in turn. will be enabled
70 make recommendations 20 Congress
of needful legislation for the further
DEVELOPMENT of our merchant marine.
"While il is true that only about
800 600 gross tons of merchant marine
vessels suitable as naval auXillaries
may be built with S50.000,00O. which IL
is nroposed 10 nlace under the coniroi
of the shipping board. nevertheless ms
tonnage will constitute 4 reasonable
mart of an essential naval auxiliary
which will add greatly 10 the effective
fighting strength of our navy IN time OF
war and serve 20 create an lmperatlNely
needed naval reserve force. II is not
large enough tonnage 10 interfere WIN
private enterprises in the shipping held'
Aims at Big Merchant Marine.
conc Of the most important features
of the bill. and one OF the objects II II
designed most TO accomplish. rs the
creation Of new conditions under which
p large American merchant marine may
be built up. The bill provides that me
shining board. in connection with inc
Interstate Commerce Commission, may
hermit our railroad lines TO make
through and special rates IN connection
with steamships operated under the
American flag for our export trade. so
AS TO enable our farmers, merchants
and Manufacturers 10 have an equal, II
moi a better. chance with the farmers
merchants and manufacturers o. me
leading competitive nations OF the
world. in selling their goods in the open
markets Of the world such. Tor IN
stance. as South America, the ORIENT
Australia. etc.
"Tho board Will also have the power
10 permit shipments for special sailngs
Of steamships operating under the
American flag. These arc discriminaa-
tions which can very propcrly be MADE
in behalf OF our own producers and
shippers. and do not conflict with any
OF our treaties with other nations