The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-31
A DEFINITE PROGRAM
FOR AMERICAN Ships

Declaring for private ownership and
operation of the American merchant
marine. with government control OF
the maximum rates to be charged
American shippers, the American
!. shipperA, the American Manufacturers
49,. 81 sc e,aantad sres9-
buttons which outline a practical plan
for utilizing the $4,000. 100000 fleet
which the country will own at the end
OF 1890.
Last month Senator Ransdell. in n
speech before the senate, called upon
the business men of the country for
concrete suggestions as to the dis
position and operation of the vessels
which the nation has built or Is build
ing. In that speech he stated that at
the end of 1920, If present plans
were carried through. the United
States would have expended $2.5ob,-
900, 900 for government-owpe boats,
and would have a total tonnage OF
5000, 900 tons under the American
flag. He declared that thus far no
definite program had been adopted
for utilizing this immensely valuable
national asset.
The views OF the exporting manu-
facturers who must use these vessels
are expressed in the resolutions OF the
American Manufacturers. Export as
ISOLATION which comprises 200 of
the larger manufacturers throughout
the country. These resolutions were
formulated by a committee consisting
of Mr.. K. NJ. Herr. PRECEDENT OF the
Westinghouse Electric Il Manufacture
ing company, Mr.. W. c. Durant, presi-
dent OF the General Motors company.
Mr. W. L. Saunders, president OF the
Ingersoll- Rand company, and AIR.
George Ed Smith, president OF the
ROYAL Typewriter company.
As adopted by the Board of Direc-
tors OF the association the resolutions
read as follows:
The nations foreign trade cannot
be successfully developed without an
American merchant marine able 70
transport American products as
cheapiy as regularly and as efficient
~ as products of other countries are
carried.
"Our naval authorities have de-
clared that both for the training OF
American seamen, and for the necea-
sary yIctualing and supplying, of the
navy when operating in foreign
waters. an auxiliary merchant marine
ia essential. In fact, the Secretary of
the Navy, in letter to this associa-
ton said Il feel that the proper en-
largement. the influence, and the
wise use of such a merchant marine
Is the biggest question now 10 be
solved by the American people.
The establishment and maintenance
of an American merchant marine is
therefore, a matter in which every
citizen OF the country is vitality IN
terested,
Be it resolved therefore, that the
BOARD of Directors of the American
Manufacturers Export association,
after consideration of the problem. 1
recommend the following means OF
utilizing the ships now built aud
building by the United States govern
ment to the end that permanent ana
available American merchant marine
may be established.
First: All ships owned by the
United States government or hulidlinS
or contracted for by the government,
should he sold TO American ship
operators at the earliest moment after
proper basis for such sale can be
established.
Second: The price at which these
ships are sold should not exceed The
cost OF foreign built ships of the same
class and tonnage.
Third: The government should ex-
crcise control to the extent of estah-
fishing maximum rates
Fourth Some guaranty should be
given 10 operators of American ships
that under certain conditions and tor
n limited time they VIII ne felfn-
bursed for losses sustained in hand
ling business ut competitive rates
where the revenue is not sufficient 10
cover operating cost,
The provision that private ship
operators Must he guaranteed against
operating at n loss on rates lycd by
the government is based, 1t is ex-
planned. upon the fact that our pres
emit navigation laws compel the pay
raent of higher wages upon American
ships. than are paid on the ships OF
any other nation.
Furthermore, to properly expand
the country's export trade. new ocean
routes must be established which can
not be profitable until larger volume
OF sraae has been huiH up. =.
The export association would guar
antee private ship owners against loss
while these conditions continue. hut
its resolution is framed TO prevent
subsidy resulting in excessive profits.
Private operators. under this last
provision. would be guaranteed
against unavoidable losses. but their
profits would still depend solely upon
their own efficiency and enterprise