The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-28
Wants New Ships Sold to
Public at Market
Price.
ALIENS NOT TO BUY ANY
Scheme Would Encourage
Initiative and Skill Of
American Marines.
(By Associated Press J

10y AS6OCldlEu EIGSS.J
4 NEW YORK, March 27-Pnvate
ownership Of the great merchant ma
4 rine which has been built by America
1nder the stimulus Of war, with such
government regulation as would pre-
vent Watefed stock and assure the use
% the vessels ontrade routes promot-
ing the general welfare Of the nation
vas put forward here tonight by Chair.
man Hurley Of the Shipping Board as
his plan ior the peace-time operation
Of the government-built fleet. He
Wdas speaking before the National Ma,
Fine League.
Enupciating the most important re-
construction decision so far reached by
any government depaS, ment, Mr.. Hur-
ley said he would have the govern
ment sell the new ships at market
prices, so the operators could compete
with foreign tonnage, and would have
z the bottoms insured jointly by the gov
eminent and American companies until
the latter developed sufficiently to
carry alone the enormous risk on more
than one billion dollars worth OF
property.
No alien would be permitted to own
any stock In any American vessel, and
the transfer Of vessels to foreign flags
would be permitted only by the ex.
press consent Of the government.
American ships for American trade
IS the central thought Of the plan that
will be submitted to congress as a ba-
sis for legislation.
I'VE want the initiative and skill Of
American ship operators, but we want
no watered stock" said Mr.. Hurley.
We want to avoid the stagnation that
sometimes comes from red tapes and
bureaucracy, but we want no profit
eering or exploitating.
We want the new fleet used for
the benefit OF the people of the Unitd
States aud not against their larger
Interest. We want 1t used in the de-
Yelopment OF the private fortunes OF
ship owners"
Comparing the problem Of water
transportation with the still unsolved
question OF railroad management, Mr..
Hurley made plea for public atten.
ton to the details proposed for operat-
(ing a fleet which next year will aggre-
gate 1888 700 deadweight tons OF
toel ships, 70 per cent owned by the
eTnment. The present fleet in.
DIES 555 ocean going vessels Of 1885
deadweight tons and contracts
We been le! for 1885 similar vessels
s,275, 006 lightweight tons.
While tho war was on, the recital
shipbutlding achievements found a
lick and ready response from an en-
insiastie public" Mr. Hurley said.
There is less glamour and glory in
le work Of evolving a policy which
~ keep these ships under the Amer
IAN flag and develop our commerce,
At this work touches the life of the
alton almost as closely as the emer.
eney shiDbuilding program.
Upon the development of our for,
gn commerce will depend in large
Measure the prosperity Of all the Amer
can people, the employment and happl
1ess of labor and the respect of the
lations which compete with u.s."
Several plans were discussed as pos
slble for the operation OF the fleet
arrying from government ownership
md government operation to private
9wershtp and operation. Mr.. Hurley
44aI OppOSIlIOu u lQe IrIneE
which wuld entail permanent establish.
nent of q government operating force
with branch offices and agencies in
every port OF the world, and he also
opposed intermediate plans such as
government ownership and private op
Grafton or ownership by single pr
< yate corporation with the government
guaranteeing a fixed return on the
stock. He outlined the two great ar
guments in favor Of government own
erships that government-built ships
should be the servants OF the nation
and that in times of emergency a gov
ernment-owned fleet could be more
readily converted into the national de,
Tense.
.The chief argument in favor OF pri-
yate ownership and operation" he
continued, lis that successful mer
chant marine depends not so much on
ships, or money, or Government aid
as II does on the existence OF large
class Of alert, resourceful and energet
ic men engaged in the shipping bust
ness. More mechanical efficiency OF
ship and shore plant, added to sound
financial backing, Is not enough. The
man who enters the shipping business
enters battle against the wits OF the
world. He must have genius for
shipping. Fortunately the men now