New-York tribune., 1919-03-28

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fleet. Private capital never could have
accomplished this colossal task, involv-
ing the creation of many new ship
yards and the training of large army
of workmen.
Government ownership of this large
fleet resulted automatically. If we arc
to return to private ownership the
transition must be made under such
conditions as will completely safeguard
the interest of the public. If this fleet,
built at government expense, were to
be used now merely for the advantage
of groups of ship operators, with suf-
fcient capital to purchase the ships
from the government, I would unhes-
tatingly advocate the retention of the
whole fleet by the government.
Complex as Railroad Problem
"The problem is as complex as that
of the railroad problem. Its solution
is vital to the welfare and prosperity
of the nation. Private ownership un-
qucstionably offers an inducement to
American energy and skill, but one of
the phases of unrestricted private con-
troll. which caused me considerable
concern, was the possibility that under
such control ships would be overcapi-
tailzed. as were many of the railroads.
We want the initiative and skill of
American ship operators, but we want
no watercd stock. We want to avoid
the stagnation that sometimes comes
from red tape and bureaucracy, but we
want no prcfteering nor exploiting.
we want the new fleet used for the
benefit of the people of the United
States and not against their larger in
terest. We want it used for the de-
velopmcnt of the nations commerce.
and not merely for the DEVELOPMENT of
the private fortunes of ship operators.
NO one will deny that our foreign
trade or the operation of American
shlps Will decline unless there is a
proht for the men who invest their
money. But whatever assistance the
government is willing to render shoul6
be reclprocated by those who are BEN
efted. Therefore, the nations shin
ping policy should certainly provide
for such governmental representation
as will guarantee square deal "a tho
public.
Ships Under American Flag
i think the whole nation is agreed
there must be no more scandals of
overcapitalization in anv mart of
american industrial or commercial life.
The ships built by the nation should
never be made the basis for anv stock
JoDblng scheme. The mere possession
OF OF large capital must not give the
larger operator an opportunity to drive
.ne smaller man out Of business In
Ihe pian am ready to submit for the
pest thought and impartial discussion
OF OF the country | believe you will find
that the American theory of encourar-
ing competition on fair terms is amply
safeguarded. Our ships must av ths
American flag to satisfy our peonle '''
IN my judgment any policy which
does note encourage the building and
the extensive operation of ships under
'he American flag Will not satisfy the
American people. I believe sound
policy can be put into the form Of
legislation and taht it then will form
a permanent foundation on which fur
ther Improvements. as the need for
them appears, can be erected
The United States government now
owns 800 oceangoing steel cargo ships
aggregatlng 3,%S5,475 deadweight tons
In addition 1T has under contract 1896
similar vessels of 9,275 ,OO6 deadweipht
tons: II our present programme be
carried out there will be under the
American flag next year 16,732.7O
deadweighht tons of oceangoing steel
cargo and passenger ships. This feet
the merchant tonnage which plies the
seas to-day under the flags of all ma
tlons combined. The government will
own about 70 per cent of it,
Importance of Great Fleet
The economic importance of this
great fleet would be difficult to over
estimate: Upon its successful opera
tion under a sound financial and ad
ministrative plan by vigilant. coura-
geous men who have the interest of
American industry and commerce at
heart depends more than upon any
other factor the future development of
our overseas trade and of the domestic
industries which feed it,"
Inc relation of the American mer-
chant marine to Americas industry,
plans for its protection and mainte-
nance, Chairman Hurley summarized
as follows:
"ln order to make sure that the
American merchant marine will be
operated with due regard for tho in
terests Of American industry and com
merce, it Is necessary to exercise con-
troll over the maximum freight rates
which may be charged in regular trade
routes.
Sections ls and II Of the act ap-
proved September 7, 1916, provide
remedies for unjust discrimination by
American shipper or port, and they also
forbid the collection by common car.
riers in foreign commerce of any rate
unjustly prcjudicial to American ex-
porters. as compared with foreign cx-
porters. Section J8 of the same act
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