The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-06-27
Senior Senator of Florida
Appeals to Congress OPP
posing Hurley Recommen-
dation.
SHIPPING PROGRAM
IS ABLY DEFENDED
Great Opportunities for U.
S. in World Commerce
hroug h Government
Ownership Pointed Out.

Washington, June 26.-Sale of gov
ernment merchant ships to private in
terests recommended to congress re-
Gently by Chairman Hurley, of the
shipping board, was opposed by Sena-
tor Fletcher, of Florida, ranking dem
ocrat and former chairman of the
senate commerce committee. in an ad-
dress to the senate today on shipping
legislation.
An underterminate policy of govern
ment operation of the new merchant
fleet, either by the government itself
or through private corporations chart
cred or controlled by the government
was advocated by Mr. Fletcher.
Whether the government should con-
tinue construction of ships, Mr..
Fletcher said, is a matter for future
consideration.
Preservation of the governments
great shipping enterprise established
at great expense and now showing
large profits in ship operations, was
urged. Sound business, good judg-
ment and the public interest" Sena-
tor Fletcher said, "caIl for the making
of that industry secure and perma-
nent. AT great expense and infinite
labor we have gone through the stages
required for its foundation. it's devel-
op1nent and its completed structure.
a. Why make junk of our equipment.
facilities. machinery and fixtures. BY
the employment of which we have
been able to lead the world in con-
struction and output?"
With an expenditure of $3.S00. 000.-
600, Senator Fletcher said. the United
States would have about one-fourth OF
the worlds shipping.
I'VE have been expending about $5,-
100000 a day in carrying out the great
shipbuiding program he said. 'sThe
government now owns 555 steel cargo
ships, aggregating 3,3S5,0o0 dead
weight TONS and has under contract
1886 more of 1925. 900 tons. Unless
further cancellations take place, we
should have. under our flag next year
16,7s2.o0O deadweight tons.
There is no need so pressing as
ocean transportation. We are pre-
pared to build ships. not only to meet
domestic requirements. but to supply
the world demand"
Cancellation of shipbuiIding con-
tracts, Mr.. Fletcher said, will cause
a loss of about $50 per ton, while the
much profit and, he added, rates will
continue high for a considerable time,
although lower than the war time
rate.
Senator Fletcher said if the govern
ment should operate its own. ships it
need not interfere with existing pri-
vate lines. but could develop new lines
and maintain new routes. An initial
loss he said, would result financially
in profits. 1t will be Sorry manage
ment." he added, IF the government
should give to private interests the
profits it could make in operating the
present and building fleet.
Instead of organizing a force and
opening up offices for the purpose of
disposing of the ships, why not con-
tribute an organization for the pur-
pose of operating the ships p he
asked.
Sale of the governments ships to
private persons. Senator Fletcher pre-
dicted, would mean transfer of many
to foreign registration.
1T would seem entirely feasible he
declared, ito form responsible operat-
ing companies to become the operat-
ing agents for the government. If this
is not feasible, would rather charter
the ships to private operating COM
panies."
Mr.. Fletcher depiored the alleged
prejudice against wooden ships and
said many built by the government
are operating profitably. He also de-
clared concrete built ships are prov
ing successful.
Regarding the permanent policy OF
government shipbuilding. Mr.. Fletcher
said:
TT is somewhat too early to deter
mine now and a decision might well
wait until we have the light and bene-
fit of at least q years experience.
Some high class mail and passenger
ships, however, ought to be designed
and ordered now by the government,
and the yards should be permitted as
now agreed, to build for foreigners'