Evening journal., 1919-04-02
HURLEY ADOPTS RossETER PLAN.

~ HARTMAN HURLEY, OF the Shipping Board. speak
~ ing before the National Marine League in New
York. has outlined the plan that he will support for
the future operation of fleet Of ships
While Mr.. Hureys experience In the shipping world
is limited TO the two years he has been connected with
the Federal Board he has long been practical business
man. and has tho good to take the advice Of ex-
perts who have devoted their lives the operation Of
ships.
comparison Of the plan now put forward by Chair
man Hurley shows strong resemblance to the policy
for the future OF merchant marine worked out some
weeks ago by Mr.. Rosseter, Director OF Operations OF
the Emergency Fleet Corporation. and formerly
Of the Pacnc Mail.
Mr. Hurley announces that he is latly opposed 10
government ownership and operation
lie is also against government ownership and private
operation, and looks with dsfavor upon ownership by
single private corporation with the government guaran
teeing certain return the stock
Mr.. Hurley's scheme contemplates the sale Of gov
erument ships to private parties who wish to operate
In the foreign trade the basis Of twenty-five per
cash. the balance payable in annual installmens over
period OF about ten years. interest thereon be charged
by the government at 1--WE per cent
onc-nfh OF this interest he would have set aside by
the government TO constitute merchant marine deye-
opment fund"
Each purchaser should be Obliged take out Federal
charter. which should limit the amount OF stock 10 be
issued prevent It's 70 an allen and provide that one
member OF the board Of directors shall be named by the
government.
1t recognized that number Of routes that probably
would be established under the system while
ssry to the future development OF American commerce.
would not at nrst yield operating profits.
Where the government sold ship for operation
such route II would be necessary for the to
support the line until its trade increased sufficiently
TO pay It's own way.
such assistance would be extended from the merchant
development fund. under the supervision Of the
government directors who would meet periodically IN
Washington for the purpose
It would be in payment from the Treasury,
but advance from the guarantee fund furnished by the
steamship companies themselves.
When such ships become established in their
routes and pron the financial assistance they have
received from the government will be repaid from por
tion Of those profits.
To one who has been In touch with our merchant
marine situation II evident that the plan represents the
concensus of the best thought and experience Of the
shipping experts connected with the Federal Board.
The fact that Mr. Hurley's name is attached to the
scheme does not that he originated IT, although the
fact that no supporting such broad and comprehen-
sve policy entities him TO great credit.
or course The success OF the whole matter depends
upon the passage Of necessary legislation by Congress
Although the recently adjourned Democratic Congress
failed utterly TO frame legislation for the future admins
ration Of our huge merchant marine feet the Republic
cans have announced their intention Of dealing with that
problem at the earliest possible moment after they have
organized the Congress and taken control Of the leg
IsIatien Of the country for the next two years.
The plan given publicity by Mr.. Hurley may well be
taken as the basis for future discussion and With I'M
provemens that the debate may bring out be adopted
our future maritime policy.