American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-05-02

to a point where the American fleet is balancing
the American factory and agricultural resources.
Plan Fleet of 100000 Tons.
Briefly, the American policy is to create a Meet
of something like 100000 tons by 1921 ana w
100000 eventually, This Will help replace the
ships lost In war and needed by the world at large
and will put the American merchant marine on is
feet.
Eventually we win try to operate a fleet of Just
a bit more than our rlghtful so per cent, since we
expect to have a constantly growing South Amer
lean trade that should be handled In American
boats as much as possible.
While America is looking at the ship business
on a sort of $3.50 plan, the British view the whole
situation from an entirely different point of view.
They could not possibly operate on a policy that
would fit American ideals and plans for the future
The British, lndustrially and geographically difer
too much from America to permit them to follow
a program similar to ours.
Here are the main points where the policies or
the two countries differ on the authority of the
best-informed American ship men here In Paris:
America will operate her ships on n nonproht
basis. The fleet will be considered, during the
next few years, as an adjunct to Americas re.
sources, n servant Of our farms and factories.
The British. in the meantime, will continue their
policy of operating ships for a profit. Shipping
with them Is a business In Itself, Il business that
is supposed TO pay, and does pay, satisfactory
dividends.
While the Americans consider ships as n means
toward an end-that is the building up Of a for
eign trade, the British will operate their ships for
the profit that is made by ships. They are In the
game to make money out Of carrying tonnage
across the seven seas-they have acquired the
heritage of Tyre, and they intend holding their
heritage
We viii both be great sea powers. Britain will
endeavor TO have all the tonnage she can Amer
lea will strive to keep up q frst-class fleet that
can transport overseas 80 per cent OF our imports
4. IhtDh &c r1tr frGf ghn p 4. nf hnaF-a "a
traffic. And we will also take ca, as the months
mass and az the world gradually returns to the
WAYS Of peace. a goodly proportion Of the South
American trade, providing plans of the American
officials do not go awry.
How will America and Britain achieve the aims
of their big shipping men? What Is the job ahead
for American ship yards? What will the entry OF
America mean in the world business OF ~shlpplng7
These questions represent some Of the out
standing points Of the whole situation.
British shipbullders and owners, who are now
rrotesting against continuation Of governmental
control. will build something like 100000 tons OF
ships In the next two years. possibly more, IN or
der 10 bring the British mercantile marine up 10
1gOOOOO0 tons, according TO the British chamber
OF shipping In London.
n fs expected that the American shlpyards Will
no CAPABLE Of turning out II 100000 tons IN tbs
next two years. II both programs are realized the
uorid w1I have returned 10 better than d prewaI
footing in the matter Of ships. When the peace
conference started there was a world shortage o.
something like 6.OOO!OO tons. Some experts esti
mated the deficit at 100000.
One Of the things we can expect from the Amer
lean ~shlpyards is q better lot Of ships than th'