The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-04-02
SELL SHIPS TO
PRIVATE OWNERS
Chairman Hurley of Shipping
Board Recommends DISPOSE
ton Of Government Built
Merchant Marine
BETTER RESULTS
WILL BE OBTAINED
WILL BE OBTAINED

Sale Should Be Made at Price
Current for Shipping In World
Market.
New York, March 27.-Private
ownership of the great merchant ma
rine which has been built by Amerl-
ca under the stimulus Of war, with
such governmental regulation as
would prevent watered stock and as
sure the use Of the vessels on trade
routes promoting the general well
fare Of the nation, was put forward
here tonight by Chairman Hurley, OF
the shipping board, as his plan for
the peace time operation OF the gov
ernnlent built fleet He was speaking
before the national marine league.
Er,unciating the most important
reconstruction decision SO far reach
ed by any government department.,
Mr.. Hurley said he would have the
government sell the new ships at
market prices, so the operators could
compete with foreign tonnage. and
would have the bottoms insured joint
Fly by the government and American
companies until the latter developed
sufficiently to carry alone the enor-
nous risk on more than $1,000. .oo0,-
300 worth Of property.
No alien would be permitted TO oWa
any stock in any American vessel.
and the transfer of vessels to foreign
flags would be permitted only by eX-
press consent OF the government
american ships for American trade
is the central thought Of the plan,
which will be submitted to congress
as basis for legislation.
1--WE want the initiative and skill
of American ship operators, but we
want no watered stock said Mr.
Hurley. I'VE want to avoid the stag
nation that sometimes comes from red
tape and bureaucracy, but we want
no profiteering or exploitating.
I've want the new feet used for
the benefit of the people of the Unit
ed States and not against their larger
interest. We want it used for the de-
ye1opment Of the nations commerce.
not merely. for the development OF
the private fortunes Of ship Gre
Itors.''
Comparing the problem OF watnr
TRANSPORTATION with the Still un.olv"i i
question Of railroad management, MI
Hurley made plea for public at
tention to the details proposed for op-
Grating a feet which next year will
aggregate 16, 1872 700 deadweight tons
Of steel ships. 20 per cent owned by
the government TIE present fleet
includes 555 oceangoing steel cargo
vessels of 3,3S5,475 dcadweight IONS
and contracts have been let for l.
3sS similar vessels Of 9,275,006 dead
weight tons.
while the war was on, the recita!
of sllipbuilding achievement found
quick and ready response from. ;an
enthusiastic public" Mr.. Hurley said.
There is less glamour and glory in
the work of evolving policy which
will keep these ships under the Amer
lean flas and develop our commerce.
but this :1lork touches the life of the
nation almost as closely as the ener-
gency shipbuiIding program.
Upon the development Of our for
eign commerce will depend in large
measure, the prosperity OF all the
American people, the employment and
happiness OF labor and the respect OF
the nations which compete with US
Several plans were discussed as
possible for the operation Of the fleet,
varying from government ownership
and government operation 10 private
ownership and operation. Mr. Hurley
announced fiat opposition 70 the form
er, which would entail permanent es-
tablishmenr OF government operat-
ing force with branch offices ana
agencies in every port of the world,
and ne also opposed intermediate
plans such as government ownership
by q single private corporation with
the government guaranteeing fixed
return on the stock. He outlined The
two great arguments in favor OF gov
ernment ownership, that government
built ships should be the servants Of
the nation and that in times Of emer
sency q government owned fleet could
!oe more readily converted to the ma
tional defense.
The chief argument in favor Of
private ownership and operation he
continued, IS that q successful mer
chant marine depends not SO much
on ships. or money, Or government
aid as il does or the existence Of q !
large class Of alert. rcsourceful and |
energetic men engaged in the shipping !
business. Mere mechanical efficiency !
Of ship and shore plant. added to t
sound financial backing is not enough. !
The ran who enters the shipping ,
business enters & battle against the
wits OF the world. He must have :,
genius for shipping. Fortunately the !
mon now engaged iii The shipping !
business in the United States are Of
that character. Eut there are nor
enough of them. We need many !
more. And it is clear that the num-
Der Of such men can be greatly il"
creased only under conditions of pr
vatr initiatiVo