Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-08
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

TINE United States is about &c
become again a leader in the
great overseas carrying trade
The world war has given the
push" that was needed to put the
Stars and Stripes back on the sever
seas. While the German submarines
were destroying millions of tons OF
cargo-carrying vessels - passenger
vessels, too-it became necessary for
Uncle Sam to produce ships of his
own to supply the allied nations with
munitions and food and to transport
American soldiers to France.
After years of argument in Con-
gress as to how the United States was
to regain her place as a merchant
marine nation. in which subsidies and
government aid of various kinds were
suggested and no action was taken
in the twinkling of an eye billions of
dollars were provided for ship build
ing. vast shipyards were begun, and
a shipping program was adopted on a
tremendous scale.
Built Since War Began.
Now 1t is reported that by the first
of the year 100000 tons of Ameri
can ships will be plying the ocean
routes-enough to carry so to 60 per
cent of all the American trade to the
world. These ships have been built
or requisitioned by the government,
through the United States Shipping
Board and the Emergency Fleet Cor
poration, since the war began for this
country, little over two years ago
Will these new American fleets of
merchant vessels be able to continue
in operation under the American flag.
in competition with the merchant
fleets of Great Britain. Japan. France.
lands. and Germany? Will the costs
Of operation be too great for the
American ships?
The answer to these questions lies
In the future. But Chairman Hurley
of the shipping board, Secretary Dan
Iels of the Navy Senator Jones of
Washington. chairman of the Senate
commerce committee, and experts of
the Department of Labor insist that
the American flag has been raised
over American merchant vessels 60
ing overseas and it will remain.
After the recent lesson this coun-
try has had in regard to the necessi-
ty of merchant marine of it's own in
time of war. there is strong de-
termination that such a situation as
existed prior to the entrance of
, America into the war shall not again
occur. But there is strong feeling
that the ownership and operation of
the merchant fleets by the govern
ment shall be ended as soon as posi-
BILE and private industry take over
has recently introduced a bill for this
purpose.
Suggests Installment Plan.
What Senator Jones pronoses Z.
that the President shall sell or lease
to private parties-Americans the
government-owned ships; that they
shall be sold or leased upon such
terms as are advantageous to the gov
eminent and at the same time on
terms that will enable the purchasers
or lessons to operate the ships in
competition with foreign merchant
men. He proposes in one paragraph
OF the Dill that the President may
sell ships on the installment plan, in
order to give the Americans in the
shipping business every opportunity.
These installments may cover a
period or twenty years, with a rea
eonaole amount of interest to be paid
on tne deferred payments. In all sales
or ships the President is directed to
call for bids and to sell to the highest
responsible bidder
Senator Jones' bill is a protective
measure. 50 far as American shipping
eliminating duties be imposed on
products carried in American shfps
he would have goods carried into
american ports in American bottoms
pay lower duty than similar goods
imported in foreign ships. This, ne
believes. will be a strong weapon for
the protection of American-born COM
MERGE The last section of his hill
directs the President without delay to
.ake whatever steps may be necessary
TO abrogate all treaties of commerce
that restrict the right of the United
states to impose discriminating duties.
Ihe cost of production of ships and
OF their operation must, however play
an important part in the future Of
American merchant ships. The United
states has wealth of raw material
for the construction of ships. 1t has
today the greatest shipyards in the
world. and 1t is predicted that because
and capable labor 1t will be able to
turn out ships as cheaply as foreign
nations, or even more cheaply. While
labor costs are high in this country
II Ia also true that labor in Great
Britain and other foreign shipbuildfng
nations has increased greatly in cost
since 1914.
Report on Seamen's Wages.
Senator Jones recently submitted to
the Senate a report on wages of sea-
men of vessels operating from Ameri-
can ports. including those of vessels
flying the flags of Great Britain,
France, Sweden. Holland. Denmark,
Belgium. Japan, Greece, Norway,
Spain. Russia, etc.
The report was compiled by Henry
B. Dnelmann Of the investigation and
inspection service of the Department
of Labor. This report clearly indi-
Gates that since the outbreak of the
war IN 1914. and even more SO since
the so-called seamen's act. approved
March 4. 1915. became effective. the