Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-31
Open Ficld for Shippiny

q HARTMAN HURLEY, OF the United
~ States Shipping Board, has given the
nation something to think about in his
recommendation that the great fleet Of mer-
chantmen. created for war purposes, but now
available for trade expansion, be sold to
private interests, operated by private in
tercsts, and thereby placed on competitive
basis. He urges, however, that the govern
ment maintain a large measure OF control
over the ships which it now owns, particu-
larly with respect to ownership and future
disposition
The views OF Mr.. Hurley, which without
doubt reflect the views of the President as
we'll, are to be embodied in Il report to Con-
gress. This means that the future Of the
Shipping Board fleet is TO become matter
OF debate in the future. The admin
istratons policy is made clear. but it is
by no means certain that the policy OF Con-
Sress Will coincide with it, Congress is now
Republican body. and as such it may have
purposes of its own in this direction
In considering Mr.. Hureys plan it must
be remembered that few American merchant
lines, prior to the war, we're on a paving
basis. The restrictions which this govern
ment placed on its shipping in the form of
labor laws made it almost impossible for
vessels under the American flag TO compete
with mercantile lines of other nations The
Japs, with their cheap labor and their cf-
iiciency i'll operation, almost drove our ships
from the Pacific The British, German,
Dutch and Scandinavian companies pressed
the Americans hard on the Atlantic, and few
or the domestic corporations survived the
pressure.
TO remedy this various proposals were laid
before Congress. Repeatedly the ship sub
SHY plan was brought forward, and as often
1t was defeated. The mail subvention plan
was offered and tried out on several South
American lines with fair success Other
schemes were experimental with, but the net
result was not encouraging. One after
another Of the American corporations, in
order TO live at all, placed it's ships under
foreign flags and sought the less onerous
control of foreign governments
When the war came all merchant Sims
IN the overseas trade and many on coast
wise routes were taken over by tho govern
mcnt. All ships under construction in Amer
lean yards for foreign account were COM
Wandered. Then came the feycrish season
OF new ship construction which has resulted
IN the creation OF the gigantic fleet that gives
America second place on the seas II these
vessels were to be distributed at once among
private owners, it might be found impossible
ior many OF them to operate at a profit
Realizing this private interests probably will
he slow to invest in tonnage now owned bv
the government.
"HcH TIC ploDlenl Is examined carefully,
therefore, 1t may be found advisable for the
government to hold and operate its mer-
chant fleet for 4 few more years Ii might
DO the pioneering which is necessary to estab-
lish trade routes and to enter foreign mar
kets If initial losses arc involved in such
operation, the government is in a better posi-
ton to stand them than private owners would
De. but once the shipping is placed on n
substantial basis, the government could with
assurance offer the opportunity of paying
investment to private corporations