The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-29
All Express Surprise and
Qualification Over His
Announcement.
CHANGES MAY BE NEEDED
Endorsement Of Private Own
ership Principle Pleases
Line Chiefs.


posed on Friday by Chairman Hurley
Of ths Shipping Board for the disposi-
ton Of the Government-built merchant
marine has immensely increased MI.
Hurieys prestige among private ship
owners and operators Of all classes
Many Of them really suspected that
he was in favor Of the Government
keeping the ships and trying to run
them. Hence. surprise and pleasure
were about equally mingled in their
comment yesterday. They fsk that
the opinion they have expressed
right aiong-that Government reten-
ton would not work-couid no
longer be ascribed to selfish business
motives, since II had found agreement
In . quarter where It was least sx-
pected and in . mind that was supposed
to be predispossd toward Government
operation.
The big thing about tho plan 10 that
the Government wants to sell it's ships
and let them be operated by men who
are In that business That 10 the way
these men view IT, They believe the
principle Of private ownership having
been recognized as the sound one, a
programme can be worked out that will
satisfy everybody concerned. They
as suggestions capable Of modification
after discussion
Like League Covenant.
One OF the private owners yesterday
compared the plan with the first draft
OF the League of Nations, to be amended
upon the presentation of objections and
corrections.
There seemed TO be no question as
to the fairness OF the financial terms
upon which the Government would
sell the ships. Several owners said,
however, that II the huge build
Ing programme outlined by Afr Hurley
were not curtailed the supply would
eventually far exceed the demand.
Prices would then fall. and with the ex-
pectation OF cheaper prices In mind the
prospective purchaser would be likely to
walt until the bottom was reached. 1t
was admitted that the Government could
get rid OF many Of Its ships at once, but
| II was contended that part of tho feet
would remain on Uncle Sans hands for
| good while. or until the actual worth
] OF tonnage under the new conditions of
world trade could be determined.
George A. CASTOR. president Of CASTOR.
Williams 4 Wigmore. which through Its
steamship corporation sends vessels all
over the world. said:
Mr.. Hurley's 10 by far the best plan
that has been suggested. 1t 10 definite
and literal In its sale terms and in It's
provision for Government regulation ID
less severe than I expected. Some mod
inoation must be made. For example.
more elastic provision must be made for
the tramp steamship trade. In my opin-
lon It Is impossible for the Government
to IN freight rates. even maximum rates
for the vessel not pursuing regular
routes Tho exactions Of competition
are too variable.
! Tho stipulation that one director OF
each company shall Be appointed by the
Government strikes me as reasonable
Favors z. 8. Director.
As the Government would hold q
mortgage on each ship until II was paid
| for II would have a sort OF partnership
interest As soon as the payment was
completed believe the Government di.
rector should retire.
The provision for a merchant marine
fund 10 aid in the development OF new
| trade routes strikes me as good.
had time 10 study the Hurley sugges-
tons in detail"
L. NJ Bull, vice-president Of the A. H
| Bull steamship Company. after express
ing qualification over the private owner
ship foundation Of the Hurley plan
| spoke Of weaknesses that must be elimi-
mated. For one thing. he said. the pres
ent building programme OF the Shipping
Board was too big. In Wow OF tho pro-
gramme of England and other nations
the United States was building too many
ships and the ultimate result was likely
to be a depression OF the market the
prospect OF which would cause operator.
| to hesitate about buying from the Gov
eminent at the present rates. Mr.. Bull
| thought Mr.. Hurley's general idea g
good one. that the terms OF sale were
| liberal" and that the ship owners ant
the public now had something definite to
consider which was worthy OF thought
! and discussion.
r. C. Munson Pleased.
Frank C. Munson. president OF tn,
Munson Line, said II pleased him i'm,
mensely to see Mr. Hurley come out FOL
private ownership and that the thins
now was to make an arrangement sc
that the operators could be assured of q
fair return. The merchant marine, h,
said, deserves every encouragement the
country can give. He thought Mr.. Hur,
ley would md that the insurance rate,
he suSgeste obtaiped either from
American companies or the Government
n little higher than could be obtained
elsewhere.
"But don't want to criticise tn,
plan" Mr.. Munson added. II believe Mr.
Hurley set forth his ideas 30 that every
body could discuss them and thus tn,
best arrangement could be reached"
Edgar f. Luckenbach. president OF tn,
L,uckenbach Steamship Company. said:
II certainly was agreeably surprised
when Mr.. Hurley declared h!msel
against Government ownership and op
Grafton OF the merchant marine. Hi
proposal offers food for thought. I d.
not care to discuss II In detail"
p. H. w, Ross. president OF the Ma
tional Marine League. said he though
Mr.. Hurley's was the most practical plan
that had been advanced thus far.
OLD NEW YORK.