Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-05

great reduction from the war prices
OF $loi Ia $50, ton for cargo ships
and tankcrs III the old established
yards. and an even greater reduction
from the highcrp riccS FOR cargo ships
in other yards. am also informed by
one OF the most reliable Shipbuiiuers
IN the country that he Is sure he can
build snip. now at Slio II ton and
make a fair profit"
This seems TO dispose Of tho qucS ton
OF future ship construction in Amcri-
can yards, Indicating as ii does that
the Shiphuildiug industry now created
is i'll Il position To face any compete
ton. But that does not dispose OF the
additional question whether or not it
is possible for this country to operate
its merchant marine on Il money maxi
ing basis j. H. Rosscter. formerly
vice president and general manager OF
;hc Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
and vice president OF William X.
Grace ~ CO.. practical ship operator
for thirty years. aud now head Of the
Hoard. answers that important Iucs-
ton. Hero ~ his Judgment
No Obstacles 20 success.
u wish 10 stat" with tho utmost
emphasis and conviction that there are
no inSupcrablc obstacles to our sue
cess in competing with other nations.
AS often happens in large questions,
tho controlling factors are overlooked
or neglected. The amount Of wages
paid IS 10 be properly measured by
accomplishment; 1t is true that We
HAY. 1t larger number of officers aud
men ON a ship than required undcr
foreign Tags and that We pay higher
wages and provide better food. all Of
which costs NOR" than our competitors
are paying. This is not Ia lac contra
dic'cd, and. for my part, ii IS not To
tie changed, confidently expecting, as
my own experience has proven. that
We get better aud more efficient SER
vice from men who are wei paid and
we'll fed.
lGn
suit of stupid and needless regulations
in the form Of tonnage measurements
which should, ana undoubtedly viii
bc. corrected. Much emphasis is laid
upon these items and to-" little attcn-
zion paid to the really important prob
lens. within our reach are advan-
tacca TO be gained. aud firmly be-
rev" mat American ingenuity, when
properly directed. VIII triumph. AS AN
example. consider the cost Of water
horne commerce on the Great Lakes.
There YOU nud, under the spur OF ne
cessity and achievement that Amcri-
can built and American manned ships
are handling and carrying cargo at the
lowest cos, per ton known, to the
The prejudice of higher cost OF
manning can Toe fairly stated as
amounting 10 less than per cen; OF
the total operating expense. This can
tn" speed OF our ships and hy Inn
proved method OF propulsion by util-
lHlnS inc great natural advantage
hold in our supply OF oil fucl. So
great are the possibilities in tho Held
of propulsion that | VIII not venture
even SurmiSe as TO what may be
III that respect"
The situntiOn summed IN.
Mr.. koSSctcr sums mp other qucs'
tons which have an important bear
ing or maritime enterprise by show
ing that this country should lead the
world III the cost and type Of conStruc-
ton. the utilization Of natural high
ways and channels OF trade, including
60 ordination of railways and steam
snip lines: tho development of efficient
maritime organizations at home and
abroad: tho assurance to shin owners
and merchants OF the lowest rates of
marine insurance and the most favor
able facilities for foreign exchange
and discounts, and. hnally. such con-
Scrvation or legislation as may be
necessary TO assure a supply of oil
fuel FOR our ships