The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-08
SHIP BOARD SHOWS
SIGNS OF YIELDING
Counsel Campbell Discusses
Return of Merchant Marine
to Private Ownership.
TWO COURSES SUGGESTED
Automobile Exporters Hear
How Problem Can Be Met
without Speculation.

Nv tHe 1Hlltu states Bnlp-
ping Board is beginning at last to feel
tho pressure of popular demand for n
definite policy regarding the operation
OF the war born American merchant
fleet became visible yesterday in the
trend Of an address delivered before the
Export Managers Convention Of the Ma
tional Automobile Chamber OF Com
merce by Ira A. Campbell, admiralty
counsel Of the board.
1t was clear also from the tone Of Mr..
Campbells remarks that the crystalliza-
tion of public opinion against continued
Government ownership and operation OF
the ISL ships which, on February rs,
were under the direct control Of the
board, as well as the new ships which
are being turned over almost daily to
the same agency, is having it's effect on
Chairman Hurley and his associates.
While Mr.. Campbell was careful to
cay that he was expressing merely
personal opinion in outlining his plan
for the operation of our merchant fleet
BY private enterprise and even the
eventual surrender of ownership to in
dividual firms and corporattans,-it was
clear that the plans which he outlined
are now under consideration by the
shipping Board, II ineed, they are not
ready for the working out Of the neces-
gary details
The plan advanced by Mr.. Campbell
provides that the Government will carry
the burden of the investment while the
individual operators would have free
hand In the disposal Of the vessels.
While he freely admitted the inefficiency
Of Government operation, Mr.. Campbell
was fearful lest present unsettled con-
ditions would make the immediate sale
of the Government owned tonnage to
private interests a precarious enterprise
for the latter unless the terms were
made SO low as to rob the taxpayers OF
any possibility of a return of at least
part of the enormous investment which
construction in war conditions made
necessary.
Tonnage steadily Increases.
Mr.. Campbell declared that ais of the
Ssl ships operated by the Shipping Board
on February 26, with deadweight
tonnage of 1,394,643, are Government
owned. This tonnage is continually IN
creaslng.
These statistics" said Mr.. Campbell.
snake a most interesting and inspiring
showing, and present an optimistic,
rather than q discouraging glimpse into
the future. That the American mer-
chant marine Is a reality, no longer a
dream, and that our flag borne by 1t Is
once again becoming a familiar sight In
distribution of these ships" They are
assigned, Mr.. Campbell stated. not only
to the transatlantic, West Indian and
South American trade. but also to the
transpacific, Australian, Hawaiian and
African routes, and but for the necessity
Of transporting foodstuffs to Europe IN
such large quantities the distribution of
our merchant ships would DO even more
widespread.
In indicating the difficulties under
which these ships are operated and the
necessity of relying upon practical ship
ping men for the successful operation OF
the tonnage involved. Mr.. Campbell said
but let US not be deceived by this pa
per showing. While these vessels have
been allocated and sent into those trades
81 has been done under war conditions
with inflated freight rates and wal
chest behind the operations. 1t Is Z
comparatively easy task to enter ships IL
the various trades In time OF war II Il
al entirely different matter to maintain
them there under the conditions OF com
mercial competition which are certain Il
follow In the not far distant future. Sc
.he problem which now confronts Vi
s.. How can the ships be successful!
operated?
stupendous Task Is Faced.
THE complexty and stupendousnesi
%. the task of operating 500. to say moth
inS of 1000 ships, in daily commercial
services over our world trade routes
cannot be exaggerated. No private o.
public operator ever before undertook
such an enterprise. The problem bear
no semblance to the operations of rail
road, with its fixed situs within terrific
iiaI limits, which are constantly unde
the eye of its managers Ships are in
ividualistic and subject to all Of tn
problems and annoysnces of operation
disaster and competition. and for tn
greater part OF the time are far ava.
from the immediate supervision OF thei
owners. The task Is one which will re
qulre the services and experience of YER
competent shipping men in the Unite
States
I'VE were not a great maritime natioi
before the war. but ouch foreign bust
ness as we had and our coastwise ser
Vice had developed a body of efficien
shipping men who possessed a combine
capacity to operate successfully the ship
when built. And those ships cannot b
operated without them. You cannot trai
such a body of men over night or /
a few months to the degree OF eff
cheney that results from the accumu
lated experience OF many years. S
that Il would seem to follow that tn
success of any plan OF Government or
bodyaa American JpiRN1 n IN ~
service OF the Government.
Does any one think that in thi
country which has come to its great
ness through the freedom of opportunt
which has been given to every man III
shipping men are going to abandon ir
dlvidual enterprise and become the pal
employees OF a political Government
The question carries It's own REPUTATION
and yet can any one believe that Coy
eminent operation can be SUCCESSFUL
carried on without Them The wast
and extravaganza attendant upon ever
Government operation is common know
edge. But II not Government opert
tlon then what?
Individual Initiative Needed.
"The plan which will best meet IL
situation with which We are faced wi
be one which will give to the operator {
the vessel every inducement for ind
vidual enterprise. initiative and Ell
cheney, and yet will allow the burden I
operation to rest right where 1t shou
until It Is reasonably certain that u
chips II privately owned can be success
fully operated privately in foreign con
petition.
"once that fact Is demonstrated. the
market for the ships will exist ar
thew can be disposed of at lust and m