The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-24
OWNERSHIP, 1, FEDERAL CONTROL OF MARINE IS URGED
Opponents of Government Ownership in Mis- ~ity at Shipping Boa, ash ingtOn 4ence
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Washing 4 2s-rriv"te owner ship und al control was the con- census of N Union expressed at the shipping boards conference to discuss peace-time operation of the merchant marine as summed up in an address at the closing session today by John l.. Hamilton of Columbus. O., representing the American Bankers association.
 Proponents of government owneship were in the minority at the conference, representing chiefly agricultural or ganizations which expressed fear that sales of the government-bu built ships to private companies would result in rates and rules favorable to industrial ex- ports at the expense of farm products. Numerous speakers, including P. A. S. Franklin and Frank Munson of the ton, declared this fear to be unfounded. DON'T REALIZE DIFFICULTIES
 J. P. McGil of New Fork said the farmers did not reallee tha difficulties hesetting ship owr as ,s.s great expenses involved ui Tran0s isoor5 marine casualties, ~G otsot racss VT the business.
 MT. Hamilton said the present sln ping board offered the nucleus of an organization which would be to the American shipping world what the fed eral reserve board is to banking. The extent to which the government would supervise the industry was the subject of great variation in opinion among the speakers, however, MT. Franklin and MT. McGill said it was impossible to set maximum or minimum rates for water freight, because of shifting con ditions in business at foreign ports. MT. Franklin opposed Chairman Hurley's suggestion for a federal director on steamship company boards as unwar- ranted interference.
 MT. McGill said conditions now were so unsettled and foreign competition would be so keen that it might be well for the government to retain it's mer- chant ships temporarily, chartering them to private operators, as a warning to foreigners that rebates and rate cut ting was directed against this country and not against private companies. He said the shipping problem was one to be viewed broadly.
 We are thinking now in hemis- pheres, not in localities he added. FAvORS TEMPORARY CONTROL
 M. H. Royston of Galveston said he would like to see the government re- tain and operate the merchant ships for while.
 Mr. Franklin and other speakers agreed with Chairman Hurley that the merchant fleet should not be concen- ted in the ports of any one section, but should be allocated under the ship ping boards direction to all coasts on the basis of their commercial needs.
 On motion of MT. Munson, the con ference gave vote of thanks and ap- precation to MT. Hurley and the board for the splendid work which helped so much to win the war
 The conference broke up in confu- sion when Benjamin c. March, repre- senting the Farmers National council. who frequently had taken the floor in opposition to statements by the ship ping men present. attempted to ask sev eral questions after Chairman Hurley announced adjournment, and in turn himself was asked about a story in a New York newspaper that he had op- posed the draft. MT. Marsh shouted that he cared nothing for statements in a Wall street organ" and said he had opposed the draft only until capital was ready to do its share in the war.