The Pascagoula chronicle. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1905-1920, 1919-02-01
HURLEY TO return
TO UNITED STATES
Determined to Maintain Efficient
Merchant Marine.

Paris, Jan. 2S.-Edward N. Hurley
head of the shipping board, announced
today his intention to return to the
United States on the Leviathan when
she sails again from France after his
examination here into problems con
nected with the merchant marine.
Mr.. Hurley said he felt certain that
the American people had determined
to have and to maintain merchant
marine sufficient in size to make it
certain they would not be dependent
on the chipping of other nations for
their foleien trade and that the de-
mand for such a shipping program was
virtually unanimous. H.
as soon as the armistice was sign
ed he continued, he had recognized
great many questions would arise
in connection with the American ship
ping program that would require first
hand knowledge of what was planned
to be done by the other nations en-
gagged in shipping, andfhe had come to
Europe in this connection.
Mr. Hurley said that now the war
conditions had been Relieved Ameri-
cans and others interested with them
with shipping under American registry
were Shxious for definite information
concerning future plans for a mer
chant marine SO as to settle three main
questions, as follows:
. What is the character and extent of
the government construction program?
What is the plan for4continuing gov
ernment operation?
If government operation is to be
discontinued, on what basis will the
ships be operated, privately and to
what extent will government control
be maintained?
Collateral to these questions but also
of great Importance are those that re-
late to the future construction pro-
gram, as to the number and type OF
ships to be built and whether certain
types of ships already constructed
shall be authorized &f foreign ac-
count
Mr. Hurley also said within the last
sixty days he had secured much infor-
nation on the construction programs,
operating problems and general plans
OF the other martims Aoyers and that
the information obtained had partic
ular reference to the questions now
under discussion in the United States.
He feels that as a result of his inves-
legations, he will be able on his re-
turn to the United States to present
information and data obtained while
in England which will bear directly
on the questions involved and should
be of great assistance in determining
the best future policy for the American
marine.
Some of the other maritime powers, |
Mr.. Hurley added through official and |
unofficial agencies have felt called up
on to intimate the belief that the |
United States will have many differ
snces in constructing and maintaining
a suitable and adequate merchant
marine, but that his investigations did
not lead him to believe the differences
the United States were in
my sense insuperabe; in fact, that he
Eas convinced that a construction and
operation program could and will be
developed which would give to the
United States what her people desired
Il this connection
'roblems will be taken until the result
# his investigations can be presented.
Mr.. Hurley said he was fully aware
f urgency of the settlement of all
hese collateral questions and for that
eason he contemplated making an
arly return to America for the pur- c
oSe of laying before the shipping
oard as well as the senate COM
lerce committee and the house COM
littee on merchant marine the results !
his Investigations so the board may
fter considering all the European d
bases of the situation make sugges-
ons and recommendation to the d
for a general policy.
Referring to his appointment with
amuel Gompers as the American rep .
on the international labor
,mmittee OF the peace conference, Mr.
urley said his discussion in America l
the shipping situation would not
terefer with his work in connection
ith the labor committee.
Nv S.S.-