The sun., 1919-02-14
PEOPLE0F u. s..
T0DECIDE UPON
MARINE POLICY
Hurley Will Prepare Refer
endum Covering Points
of Big Issue.
$1,000. 100000 INVOLVED
Nation to Form Shipping Pro-
gramme for Action in
Next Congress.

special Desp1fca TO THE svN.

special Dcspafch 10 TINE SuN.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 13.--The future
policy of the United States in build
ing and operating a merchant marine
Is to be shaped in accordance with the
sentiment of the people as determined
by national referendum TO be engi-
neered largely by the United States
Chamber of Commerce.
One of the first official acts OF Chair
man Hurley of the Shipping Board
upon his return to Washington was to
shape plans Tor this referendum. in
which American business men, mer-
chants. manufacturers. bankers. farm
ers and laborers will be asked for spe-
cific recommendations as to future
policy. The referendum will be so de-
signed as TO bring out original sugges-
tions OF policy rather than approval or
disapproval for policies stated.
Chairman Hurley was in conference
tonight with Elliot Goodwin. secre-
tary, and several directors of the
United States Chamber of Commerce
shaping plans for the referendum. The
chamber will reach thousands OF COM
mercial organizations and the other
organizations may be reached directly
through the Shipping Board.
Policy Awaits Referendum.
Until the results Of this referendum
are known no definite future policy will
be shaped by the Shipping Board either
as to construction or operation of Amer
lean merchant ships. The chipping pro-
gramme and the question OF Government
or private operation will remain In statu
quo.
This means that no recommendations
as to future ship policy will he placed
before the present Congress. which ex-
pires March 4. Members OF the board
are convinced there Is not time 10 shape
legislation at the present session even
IL definite programme could be for
mulated
II was pointed out that the Railroad
Administration Is asking for five years
and will have AZ least two years longer
to shape definite policies for the future
OF the railroads and that consequently
three or four months Is rot too long to
take in the formulation OF definite
programme and policy affecting The
American shiphui,ding programme, In
volving. az il does, an investment or up
ward Of - 900, 100000.
II il admitted that this country al
ready is behind Great Britain in deA-
mite ship policy. The British have writ
ten off war costs on their shipping, and
are proceeding with definite pro-
g-amme for greater, more economic
and more efficient operation in the snip
yards.
Chairman Hurley has been studying
conditions in the sh!pbuilding countries
of Europe, both from the production ahn
the operating standpoint. He is opti'
mistic az to the future OF the American
merchant marine. and believes that
American efficiency more than Offsets
any dIsparities in costs. The entire
merchant marine question will be put
before the expected extra session of the
next Congress for decision on the basis
of ths sentiment.
The referendum TO he sent out prob
ably will contain 'wenty or more ques-
tons on building and operation. The first
Of these is expected TO he substantially
the same one put before the recent Mer'
chant Marin" Conference In Washington
shall we have a big American merchant
marine, carrying not less than tvo-thirds
OF our foreign commerce."
some of tn, Proposed Questions.
Though the list has not been made
known, many other questions have sug-
gested themselves, such az:
Shall the merchant marine constitute
a naval reserve?
Shall the present building programme
; be prosecuted, or shall the existing con
tracts for vessels rot particularly suited
to peaceful commerce be cancelled. will
the Government charging off resultant
losses as war expenses?
How shall the vessels be operated?
Shall the present feet he operated by
the Shipping Board, chartered TO Amer
lean citizens, sold to them on easy pay
monts or turned over to private owner
ship on subsidy or profit sharing basis
Shall the ships abe operated by nava
reserve seamen. With the Government
paying a part OF the wages?
Shall the Government own and lease
| the ships on charter?
Shall the Government cease shipbuild
ing and depend upon private initiative
Chairman Hurley is convinced from
his observations in Europe that there
will be a fair field and no favors In tho
shipping industry. Wages are reaching
| an international parity In his judgment
! and he pointed out again to-day thai
shin wages on S5 per cent. OF the world:
! merchantmen were within 10 to 15 pei
cent. of those paid American seamen.