The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-04
'NONESSENTIAlS
Use NEEDED SHIPS
Bottoms Capable OF Carrying 2,00G..
600 Tons Year to Europe Held
BY Industries.
WANTED FOR WAR SHIPMENTS
One Large Fruit Company Contends
That Bananas Arc Necessary and
Refuses Its Steamcrs--Tapioca and
Sugar Firms Hold Out.

Washington, May 2.~-Ships capa
bic of carrying 100000 tons u year
to Europe are being held out of the
inter allied shipping program by In
terests involved in nonessential ship
ments. While every corner of the
world is being secured for vessels to
carry the millions of Americans so
badly needed in Europe and pledged
to the cause by Secretary Baker, it
is learned that the shipping board
is having the greatest difficulty in Sc
curing the craft of certain persons
and firms.
The records of the shipping board
show
n. One large fruit company refuses
TO lend its steamers because it con-
tends that its bananas are an essen
tial item in American diet and that
injury to the banana industry viii
pair the relations of the banana
raising nations to the war. 1t also
asks more money for its ships than
the board proposes TO give.
:. Other interests assert that tapi-
oca is an essential import because it
is used to favor the muciiage on the
back OF postage stamps.
3. No action has vet been secured
whereby 100000 tons OF shipping now
importing sugar could be made avail
able by cutting off this sugar from
the candy industry of the United
States.
4. An equal amount OF shipping
might be available II certain inter
ests could be induced TO discontinue
the import of rice from Japan in vieyr
or the fact that the United States
itself raises more rice than is used
here.
high postal official is declared to
have insisted on the necessity Of Ia pi-
oca TO flavor postage stamps He is
reported to have said there would be
a revolution in America If the public
We're obliged to lick it's stamps with
out this fiavorinF
These facts were developed today
in the face OF an unanimous pledge
by the representatives of Italy, France.
England and the United States that
the shipping of the world would be
used for the common cause This
pledge was given at the meeting 81
the inter-allied economic council JUST
ended in Paris. The United States
WAS represented by r. f. Stevens or
the shipping board Sir Robert Cecil
represented England. Ministers Glenn
cntel and Loucheur represented
France. Premier Orlando and Min
ster Crispi spoke for Italy Every
thing but the feeding of Belgium and
the invaded sections il was decided.
must give way to troop movements
Tho decision represents heroic
sacrifice on the part of both italy and
Franco according 10 information re-
Ceived hire Italy's food stores are
again critically low. Despite this, she
has turned over all available vessels
10 the cause. II Is denied In Italian
quarters that any vessels are being held
idle or that, as has been charged.
wheat for macaroni ia shipped to Italy.
manufactured and returned here The
uanufa cture Of ma csroni in italy il
IS stated. has long been forbidden.
Both England and France have al
resdv turned over every available yes
sci for tho transport 81 troors.
The fruit company which demure
m the communicating Of its vessels
maintains a large number extensive
IS advertised as the great white
fleet" None OF its vessels has boen
reouisitioned here as vet. Rut re
Gently General Pershfng, finding two
eff them in port whittier they had car
ried fruit. promptly took them over
and put them in the service OF the
United States.