The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-23
Hurley Report Shows
 America Is Greatest
 Maritime Nation Of AU
Is Optimistic About Nations Future the Sea-Amercs Not Handicapped by High Wages Paid to Sea
 men in Contrast to Others
By Associated Press


 Washington, March 22.-Shipb uildins facilities acquired during the war hav' made the United States the greatest DO tential maritime power of the world asserts Chairman E. N. Hurley of tho shipping board, and will enable it tC optdistance all other nations in the race coward replacing a, shortaage of 16,225, 900 gross tons of shipping lost as tht result of unrestricted German subma rine warfare and of the failure of nor nal increase by new production. MT. Hurley made this assertion to- day in a report of his trip to Europe where for three months he was in close touch with the shipping interests O. foreign nations. The report will bt used in working out a policy of owner ship and operation of the American merchant marine.
 MT. Hurley estimated that in July 1914, the seagoing steam bottoms oi the world totaled 41,225,000 gross tons which was reduced by war to 37,000,00( 1 gross tons, a net loss of 4.225, 900 gross tons. In addition, he stated, there was 8 loss of 100000. gross tons which would have been constructed if war had not stopped the normal increase in pro- duction, making total loss of 16,225'- 900 gross tons.
 The allies and neutrals suffered to- tai loss by enemy action, marine risk and capture of 15,21S,000 gross tons, MT Hurley said, and gained by new con \ struction and seizure of enemy ships ] 14,249, 900 gross tons, leaving a net loss of 969,000 gross tons The net loss to 4 the central powers was even greater since they lost 3,016, 10000 gross tons and | gained only 740,000, a difference oi 1,276,0 gross tons.
 ONLY TWO COUNTRIES GAINED Only two countries, the United States I and Japan, have a larger amount of i tonnage now than when the war began MT. Hurley reported, while the United ! States jumped far in the lead with a net gain of 125 per cent.
 ssThe United States forged ahead as I rapidly as Germany fell behind" said I the report. "In August, 1914, the Unit i ed States seagoing merchant marine l 500 gross tons and over, included SPA ! steamers of 1,75S,465 gross tons, and 1870 sailing vessels and schooner barges of 947,s52 gross tons, making a grand total of 1494 seagoing merchant 'yessels of 2,7o6,317 gross tons. "On November Il, 1918, at the end of Hthe war, the steamgoing merchant ma
 rine had increased to 1866 vessels of
 4,6S5,263 gross tons and the sailing vessels and schooner barges had de-
 creased to TAT vessels of S2s,917 gross | tOuS HldhiuS d dnu lotol Ol SAio SS" | going merchant vessels of 5,1S0 IIgross tons.
 '"This does not include the seized #enemy vessels, which at the end of the IIwar aggregated SS vessels of 562,005 #gross tons, of which number S1 of 546,- N210 gross tons were steamers and seven 'lof 15,795 gross tons were sailing ves- |Isels
 The total construction in the United Estates added to the merchant marine 'during the war amounted to S75 vessels F5f 2,941,S gross tons. The purchase #from aliens of 233 vessels of S33, s54 #gross tons, the movement from the tGreat Lakes to the ocean of 66 steamers |lof 139,4 469 gross tons, and miscellaneous
 Acquisitions amounting to S1 vessels |}of 39,219 gross tons are other sources Uof acquisition.
 "The loss of 114 vessels of 222, PA |lgross tons by enemy action, of 27S ves- .Isels of 405;400 gross tone by marine Arisk, of 130 vessels of 26S,149 gross Ntons by sale to aliens and of 64 vessels I1of 146,701 gross tons through the sale 'Ito the United States government, aban- .ldonment and other causes, accounts for 1.-the decreases. Losses of 15 German land requisitioned ships amounting to |112,23S gross tons are not included. GREATEST MARITIME POWER
 "Today We are potentially the great Hest maritime power of the earth, for .ithe reason that we possess the great Hest shipbuilding instrumentalities." \ Mir Hurley stated that Great Britain