The sun., 1919-01-24
Big DRIVE TO BOOM
: MERCHANT MARINE
Organization Completed to
Conduct Nationwide
Propaganda.
FOR PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
All Industrial Elements Are
Invited to Join Crusade
for L. s. Bottoms.
Spectoi Despatch 70 TRE suN.

WAsHISGToN, Jan. pa permanent
organization under the name of the Ma
tional Merchant Marine Association to
advocate the building and maintenance
OF great American merchant marine
was organized here to-day as an out
growth OF a two days conference OF
shipping interests with officials having
to do with the shipping business. All
industrial elements even remotely inter-
csted in shipping are invited to Join and
TO conduct a great nationwide propa-
ganda for the cause.
The conference was decidedly in favor
or private ownership and operation OF
the merchant shipping of the nation. 1t
passed the following resolution:
1T is the belief of this conference that
only an American merchant marine de-
veloped under private enterprise will be
permanently successful. Recognizing
that many elements are involved in de-
termining the basis upon which private
interests may continue to build or take
over for operation existing or contract
tonnage; therefore be 1t declared
Series of Conferences,
That this conference and the result
ing organization shall invite into n
further series of conferences representa-
ttves of all the interests directly related
TO the building and operation of an
american merchant marine for the pur-
pose of developing a plan and pro-
gramme under which an American mer-
chant marine can be practically and
successfully established"
r. Goodwin Rhett OF Charleston, s. c..
former president of the Chamber OF
Commerce of the United States, was
elected temporary president of the asso-
citation and Winthrop l.. Marvin OF Bos-
ton secretary.
John A. Donald. a member Of the
Shipping Board. declared for private
ownership and operation of the vessels
built by the Emergency Fleet Corpora
ton. He advanced a novel plan for in
diriduai ownership of the 400 vessels
available, suggesting that each one be
bought by a coterie OF small investors
after tho Government had written of
war costs and made the price reason
able and each be operated by an indi-
vidual corporation. He said:
"It is my idea, that we should take
resolve within a very short time 10
will the ships TO private corporations
In order to accomplish that. tho first
duty is to write the ships down to a
price at which they can compete with
foreign ships That price might run. 10
my view, assuming $500 to be the aver
age price OF our tonnage. to one-third
or one-quarter of the amount Of the cost
of construction written off.
Open to Ship Offers.
Then public notice should be given in
all parts Of the United States as we'll
as on the lakes and In our central
States. that applications will be enter
tanned from corporations headed by men
Of character and standing in the com
munity that the Government will be
glad to receive offers for these ships on
a basis of payment Of from % to SO 3
per cent. in cash, the balance to be paid
in half yearly installments extending
over period Of from five to seven years
payable in notes due every six months
and secured by a mortgage over the
ship.
Not more than four directors are to
have control of each corporation. two of
whom shall be appointed by the Gov
eminent These are to be men with a
knowledge OF shipping who will guar