The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-04-18

to point where the American fleet is balancing
the American factory and agricultural resources.
Plan Fleet Of 100000 Tons
BREEZY, the American policy Is to create fleet
or something like 15,OOO,OOO tons by 1921 and 2O-
oo0o0O eventually. This will help replace the
ships lost in war and needed by the world at large
ana VIII put the American merchant marine on Its
feet
Eventually we will try to operate fleet of just
bit more than rightful so per cent since
expect to have constantly growing South Amer
lean trade that should be handled In American
boats as much as possible
While America Is looking at the ship business
on sort of $3.50 plan, the British view the whole
situation from an entirely different point Of view.
They could not possibly operate on policy that
would fit American ideals and plans for the future
The British, industrially and geographically, differ
too much from America to permit them to follow
n program similar to ours.
Here are the main points where the policies of
the two countries differ the authority of the
best-informed American ship men here in Paris
America will operate her ships nonproft
basis The fleet will be considered, during the
next few years, as an adjunct to Americas re-
sources, servant of our farms and factories.
The British, in the meantime, will continue their
policy of operating ships for Il profit. Shipping
with them is business in itself, business that
Is supposed to pay, and does pay, satisfactory
dividends.
toward end--that is the building up of for
eign trade the British will operate their ships for
the profit that is made by ships. They In the
game to make money out of carrying tonnage
across the seas-they have acquired the
heritage of Tyre and they intend holding their
heritage
We will both be great sea powers. Britain will
endeavor to have all the tonnage she can; Amer
lea will strive to keep up a hrstclass feet that
can transport overseas 80 per cent of our imports
and exports which Is our just share of deep-sea
traffic. Aad will also take on as the months
pass and as the world gradually returns to the
ways of peace goody proportion of the South
American trade, providing plans Of the American
officials do not go awry
How will America and Britain achieve the aims
of their big shipping men? What is the Job ahead
for American ship yards? What will the entry of
America mean In the world business of shipping?
These questions represent some of the out
standing points of the whole situation.
British shipbuders and owners, who are now
protesting against continuation OF governmental
control, win build something like 100000 tons of
ships In the next two years, possibly more, in or
der to bring the British mercantile marine up to
$4,000 600 tons, according to the British chamber
of shipping in London
II is expected that the American shipyards will
he capable Of turning out IL 100000 tons In the
next two years. If both programs are realized the
world will have returned to better than prewar
footing In the matter of ships. When the peace
conference started there world shortage OF
something like 6.000000 tons. Some experts esti-
mated the deficit at 100000.
One of the things expect from the Amer
lean shipyards is better lot of ships than the