The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-05-08
TAKING OVER SHIPS.

TAKING OVER SHIPS.
As mart Of the PREPARATION due the United States from
Germany this country sto obtain title to some of the
r0est German merchant ships which nj the Amer-
norts when wal was declared and which were reaus
toned for use as naval auxaries when the United ntae
became heligerent The Vaterland, the LeViathan
the America the Der Crosse Kaisers and Kaserns are
reported to be included in the list The United oateS
government it said will accent these vessels IN heu o.
payment of 500, 900, 900 by Germany
without more precise knowledge of the ships to bel
transferred to American ownership their total tonnage
and characteristics governing their cost and present con-
ditions it impossible to judge of their vaueWhe'he'
they are good buy at $l00OOOOOO or not ms price
i At the rate of more than 81 100000 ship with more
than 30 per cent of them cargo vessels seemingly very
steep price.
But it may be said, withalmost unrestricted emphasis
that such acceptance of these types OF merchant VeSs
in lieu of money payment is wise course Tor he oh'eu
States government to follow. The merchant meet oui'
Inv the shipping board war emergency measure e''
rev unbalanced and unsuted to the peace-me neeoS Of
the country which requires merchant marine for the
br nv the United States during the war are standard
zed cargo carriers good enough ships perhaps Tor ne
nose for which they intended, and likewise Vauoe
,s q nucleus Of peace-time merchant marine. But
merchant feet needs be balanced to be composed o
proper proportion of fast liners passenger vessels anu
fast freight carriers as we'll of tramps and the cargo
shps that do most of the carrying OF owprceo lres
+ha of Specl
trades or special service to certain ports Ihe preSen
merchant feet of the United States was built to meet o
,ne reourement-the requirement Of the war tha' o"
mage of whatever Sort be produced in as great qua'e
md in as little time possible 1t was not designed
,lace American exporters in favorable position to mar
tet special products advantageously
The shipping board realized this, and some time ago an
bounced its intention to make resurVey Oh all SHIPS u
der construction and change the plans OF shps 10 "
built in the future SO that they would be constructed
with special reference to suitability for specia SefV
and with particular reference to the economical cost
operation, including the motive power, cargo space ait
speed"
Manv of the German merchant vessels, which, II Is s'
cd are to be paid" to the United States on the war oil
due from the Hum of the types so Daoy heeoeo v
the American merchant marine to give balance an
efficiency as a winner of trade Obviously there is gre
saving of precious time in getting these vessels re"u
made instead of waiting for the Shipping board or pr"'
shinbuders to produce new vessels of these types.
Not ony are they very costly, but long time is re
1ured for their design and construction Inc sta'eihei
If shipping board officials therefore that the gaming
immediate possession of these ships would advance IN
American merchant marine program ten years seems ei
rev reasonable The promotion of foreign trade shou
be greatly advanced by this acton and industry CORE
e pondingly Observation-Disclosures Post