New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-15
u. S. to Make War Profits
On Ships 1t SEXES To-day
Government Now Controls Vessels of More Than Z,5OO
Tons and Allows Owners ~ Fer Cent Return with
Added Proviso They Shall Man Carriers
By Theodore NJ Knappcn

I gree. or course. they all knew that they
were taking chances, rs requisitionng
has been possibility for many
months.
The charter rates which the board
has established will yield a good, #
not a large, profit on the capital in
vested. and will make n very profitable
business for all the established and
going concerns but for those who have
sailed forth to mercantile adventure
on the high seas with only shoestring
for a life preserver they mean blank
despair,
And the prohteering is not termi-
mated, for the Shipping Board VIII "A.
first continue TO operate the ShlpS AT
the same rates TO shippers that inc
private owners or operators have heen
cxacting. Imagine the feelings OF
shin operator who continues to run MS
ships under government direction ana
thai is what he will have to do col
lects a fortune from every voyage ana
turns il over 10 the government. Inc
fortunes Of Tantalus were nothing IN
comparison.
Some Revision of Rates
There will be some revision OF rates
to the public almost Immediately IN
certain special cases, and a little later
there will be blanket revision, out III
general it may be said that the govern
ment will maintain much the same
high rates that private administrator
has enjoyed. At first 1t was thought
that in taking over the ships the gov
eminent would have a magnificent OPP
portunitv 70 stimulate American lot
ciqn trade in some directions by re-
placirr the present eXorbitant rates
with equitable ones. Il was round
however. that 10 do so would SIMPLY
result in taking profits of prohteerihg
magnitude from shipping interests ana
transferring them TO the pockets oil
foreign merchants. who. no mater
what the freight rate via an Amer
can boat. would price their goods OH
the basis of the high rates OF tne Ioi
eign vessels, which will be able TO col
lect them as usual. The congestion OF
freight 20 foreign destinations naAos
the question OF traffic not ore oil
nrice. but Of space So Uncle sam
takes the profit himself-since some
body would take II IN any event
4 large number OF the ships taken
over will Immediately be diverted TO
the uses Of the army and navy, or put
into service 70 help the Allied govern
ments move their great stores ana cur
ront purchases Of material from the
United States 10 their own shores. But
aside from these. there will De great
fleet Of vessels which will at once begin
turning their excess war prohts INTO
the Treasury Of the United states.
VIII Thwart Submarines
shining men are cynically express
ING Their coniectures as 10 what those
amateurs in Washington are gong
to do with their gigantic fleet, but the
Shipping Board feels that every SHIP
ming owner is enough of patriot 10
see that there was no other way OF
handling the stupendous problem OF
making every toll OF the all-too-smaI
American merchant marine do its Ut
most work. There has been little pro-
test. While waiting for the great new
heet that is to fly the "U. ). ). b
house flag to come out of the ship
Yards. the most efficient use must be
made Of every ship already in the
water lest the submarines OF Germany
shall gain a temporary victory.
Similar steps with regard 10 whole
classes of domestic industries may yet
be necessary il the potentialities OF
America for victory are to be realized.