The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-12-09
TO SOLVE SHIPPING PROBLEM

TO SOLVE SHIPPING PROBLEM
At recent meeting of representatives Of the Soutl
Atlantic Ports association. composed Of commercial
organization of Savannah and Brunswick, Jackson
vIe Wilmington and Charleston, held at Savanna
recently the following resolution having to do wit
the merchant marine. were proposed and having bee
adopted by the five cities, have been mailed to al
Of the commercial organizations in the South an
many in the North, especially in the central an
which sections vitality interested il
the development OF Southern and Gulf ports:
Whereas it is essential for the merchants.
manufacturers and farmers Of the Middle West
to have free access to foreign markets through
the ports Of the Gulf and the South Atlantic
states on the same terms as through the North
Atlantic ports; and
Whereas. trade routes have been recently es-
tablished from the South Atlantic and Gulf ports.
with the aid OF the United States Shipping board
to the West Indies. Central and South America
and to European and other foreign ports, and
further extensions of these routes are under con-
temptation at the present time from both the
South Atlantic and Gulf ports; and
Whereas, we are advised that there is move
ment on foot having for its object the disposition
and sale of the ships owned by the government
of the United States through the United States
Shipping board, and bill has been introduced
in congress to that end; therefore be it
Resolved: That it is the of the Board
Of Directors Of the Chamber of Commerce that
the United States government, for the present
make disposition of the ships owned and op-
Grated by the Shipping Board that will any
wise initiate against those trade routes already
established prevent the further development
and maintenance of other trade routes to the des-
tinations mentioned above, and particularly
throw the weight of their united influence
against any bill measure looking to the sale of
any of these ships in these trade routes until
the same have been fully established and de-
yeloped.
These resolutions bear directly the act passes
IN the House of Representatives and now pending II
The senate II. r.. 1037S, and also upon the Unite
States chamber of commerce referendum. Both tn
congressional act and referendum of the United State
chamber look to the almost immediate sale Of gov
ernment owned ships, the United States chambe
that those of 6,0O0 tonnage and under
wooden and steel, be sold to the highest bidder
American foreign.
Now, the United States Shipping board has allo
lated to Southern ports many of these ships, man.
IF which are less than 5000 tons. These ships ar
establishing new trade routes from Southern ports
and from the nature of things il Immediately place.
pudding trade routes would be easily destroyed. I
IS estimated that about s6o,oOo000 worth Of ship
nave been aocated to South Atlantic and Gulf ports
They in actual. profitable operation and are de
veloping tonnage. Many are running to the Yves
indies and South American ports 1t would be i'm
possible for the Southern ports to purchase thes
ships at this time. In time these ships and un
Iuestonably, much larger ships, the trade route
develop, will be purchased by Southern shippin
concerns, but the time has not yet arrived. II sol
now, unquestionably. the ships would be purchases
by foreign competitors and the larger ships by bi
shipping interests
The question of the ultimate government owner
ship or ownership is not now being raised. blu
it is urged that more careful consideration SHOULD
be given this subject from national standpoint an
that at least policy should be worked out tina
would protect these new activities, which hold on
such splendid promise OF future development.