The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-24
ASK SHIPPING BOARD
TO KEEP ON BUILDING
People Of U. s. Said to Be q
Unit for Great Merchant
Marine.
HURLEY PLAN INDORSED
Meeting in Washington Hears
Views From All Over Coun-
try on Sea Plans.


WARRINGTON, May 23.-The people OF
the United States are virtually q unit in
favor OF great merchant marine. IL the
testimony Of representative men from
every section is to be believed.
For two days the Shipping Board has
oeen In conference with twoscore or
more delegates representing business.
trade. finance. labor, Industrial and farm
organizations on the future American
ship policy. Almost without exception
these members want q merchant marine.
AS TO the means of operating 1t there is
some difference of opinion. In general
however. the expressions of these repre-
eentatives Of millions Of voters were for
private ownership and operation.
The Hurley plan for disposal of the
existing feet by sale to private citi-
zens met with considerable favor. The
conference adjourned late to-day after n
free discussion Of all of tho phases OF
the conference. 1t was made plain at
the beginning that the gathering was
purely for discussion and not to take
action or adopt resolutions.
When the conference assembled to-day
the American Export Association of New
York presented resolutions adopted by
the association recommending that all
Shipping Board vessels be turned over
TO the established companies at a cost
approximating foreign costs; that the
ships not purchased be turned over for
operations to the companies that did
purchase In the proportion OF purchases
made. II was recommended also that the
Shipping Board continue its building
programme. building larger ships.
Would Prevent Trannfera.
n. NJ. Leach, representing the associa-
ton, opposed the release Of the foreign
ships Communicated by the board while
under construction in American yards
and urged legislation that would forever
prohibit the transfer of American ships
to foreign registry without Shipping
Board consent
p. A. s. Franklin. president of the In
ternatonal Mercantile Marine. recon-
mended the sale OF the ships to private
operators under plan OF equitable dis
tribution to all OF the countrys ports
He declared that he did not SEQ the
slightest possibility Of monopoly in the
sale OF the ships II they were disposed
or according to the Hurley plan, which
he unqualifiedly endorsed.
Mr.. Franklin aroused keen interest
when he declared that there was nothing
to fear from tho United States shipping
laws In the operation of American ships.
He Is one of the most experienced ship
operators in the country. his company
a IN NJ VI
and American registry. His statements
Were regarded as carrying great sig
nificance in view OF the recent discussion
OF the ability OF American ships to COM
pete with those under foreign registry,
where pay is lower and living conditions
not SO good.
W. Fl. Douglas of the American Inn
port and Export Association of New
York said that the American people de-
mand established ship lines to the
markets of the world. He said the prin-
cipal question to be settled was the
method of disposal OF the feet and he
opposed whosesale transfer OF the YES
sells now. He urged that the Govern
ment establish ship lines and put them
on good operating basis and then cell.
The American people. Me-. Douglas
contended, would be willing to assume
the little additional cost He expressed
the fear that II the vessels were all sold
now they would compete with one an
other for the most profitable trade and
would not open UP new markets for the
country.
Smull for Private Ownership.
]. b. Smull, representing the New
York Chamber of Commerce, said the
shippers of the country would rather
have the ships in private hands, giving
as a principal reason the fact that Gov.
eminent ships and officers could not be
held on attachment
Frank Munson OF the Munson Line
and former member Of the War Trade
Board emphasized the necessity of CO.
operation among Government depart
ments to develop foreign fields for trade
]. 3. McGill Of the Harris McGill Com
pany, brokers and cotton factors
| New York, favored Government owner
ship and private operation on a bars
profit charter basis. Government owner
, ship, he insisted, because Of Uncle Sans
deep stocking. would be a handy "bii
stick TO hold over the too sharp com
petition from foreign countries.
John L. Hamilton Of the American
Bankers Association proposed powers fo-
the Shipping Board similar to those o
the Federal Reserve Board In coordi
Mating rriyata huainela effort and thS