Arizona republican., 1919-02-24
ARIZONA T0 A|D
 IN SETTLING OF
 SHIP PROBLEMS

A nationwide movement to marshal the brains and interests of the entire country to the task of settling the shipping problems of the United States has been started by Edward S. Hurley, chairman of the L. $. shipping board.
 Telegrams have been sent to the governors of the states and to councils of defense, asking cooperation, as follows:
 Washington, D. C.,
 Feb. 20, 1919.
 Governor Thos. l.. Campbell
 Phoenix, Arizona:
 "The shipping board has asked the United States chamber of commerce to call a national conference of the best business, banking, shipping, and labor experts in the country. and to prepare through this conference a number of plans for the best operation of our merchant marine. The shipping board to furnish the domestic and foreign data covering facilities, labor, trade routes, cost fuel supply, cOaling sta tions, and other necessary information. Farming, mining and industrial prob lems to be given full consideration. Said Various plans when drafted to be submitted by the United States cham Der of commerce, to the Grange, American bankers association, the mining interests, the railroad admin istration, and other units interested. These units of business to lay the questions involved before their member organization for investigation and dis cussion with final plans after full dis cussion to be returned through the United States chamber of commerce tabulated and submitted to congress for its information in enacting the final legislation necessary to create a national shipping policy. Would ask that you lay the facts carefully before your various business interests to the end that they may be so organized and prepared to go into this subject from the viewpoint of all localities and in ! terests involved that there can be no delay in the filing of recommendations | upon the various plans submitted | through your local chamber of com l merce. The shipping board desires to | serve the interests of the majority | of the responsible thinkers and busi- | ness men of the country and in order | that all interested may be fully advised | I would ask that you give this state ment to your press with such com i ment as you may deem advisable in or | der to bring home to your people the ! importance of the cooperation asked of them. Then nationwide system of the council of national defense IS aiding in this matter"
 President H. W. Ashbury of the | Phoenix chamber of commerce will confer with Governor Campbell early this week on the matter, and it is probable that a conference will be called. representative of Arizona In- terests, from which delegates to the | national conference will be sent, men who are familiar both with the needs and interests of the state, and with deep water shipping.
 Undoubtedly this will revive interest in the possibility of Arizona having a seaport on or near the California gulf either by means of the requirement ot a port from Mexico, or by the deepen ing of themouth of the Colorado al Yuma. At present the mouth of the river is shallow, filled with shifting bars, and subject to a more" when tho incoming tide meets the current of the river. The tide at the head of tho gulf sometimes reaches 24 feet