The Washington times., 1920-05-18
BRITONS ALARMED OVER
SHIPPING BOARDS ORDER

The action OF the United States
shipping Board In ordering that all
Of the ! 500 odd vessels II owns or
controls shall be registered as soon
as possible with the American Bureau
Of Shipping, which includes the trans
fer OF about $50 OF the vessels from
Lloyd's registry, has greatly alarmed
British shipping interests. according
to news dispatches from London.
As told in The Washington Times
last Friday. Admiral Benson. head
OF the shipping board, and keen stu
dent Of shipping matters regards this
order OF the board as one OF the most
important steps so far taken to free
tho American merchant marine from
foreign infuepce. That its signtn-
canoe is appreciated by the British
Is shown In an article by Archibald
Hurd. shipping expert OF the London
Daily Telegraph. who seeks to ex-'
plain and belittle the move by class.
ing IL as indicative OF the truth OF
Admiral Sims charge that Admiral
Benson Is anti-British.
Comment by HurA.
After commenting on the coinci-
dence Benson now Is the head of the
Shipping Board and Detailing the
charge made by Sims. Hurd declares:
Now that this officer is at the head
OF q Government organization which
owns q large number of vessels built
under a war scheme, the coincidence
may have no significance, but there
II IL, and let us remember that two
great parties are marshalinE their
forces for a Presidential election"
lie also goes at some length into
discussion OF the campaign In this
country for a truly American mer-
-. r.. a. Aaf -
the ship subsidy bill, and argues
earnestly against the probable sub.
sidy OF merchant marine insurance
by the United States Government.
That this concern OF the British
shippers and insurance corporations
as well as those or other countries
over government ala to build up the
American marine insurance business
is well-founded on probability Is con-
ceded by American who declare such
action is absolutely necessary il a
strictly American merhant marine 10
to be created and maintained.
They point out that marine insur-
ance rates are probably the most i'm
portant factor in shippinE-that, as
a shipper must insure his cargo, he
naturally will ship in a vessel for
which the lowest insurance rates are
offered, and that these rates arc con-
trolled by the surveys and decisions
OF the classification organization with
which the vessels are registered.
In a keen trade war. such as looms
with the British merchant marine,
they point out there is at least pos
sibility that foreign surveyors. sucn
as Lloyd's, might discriminate against
American vessels. This potential
menace to American shipping. they
rpmnVpd
ton OF American vessels with an
American corporation. and their in
surance by American agencies.
Calls Order Political Move.
In the conclusion OF his article
Hurd reiterates his suggestion that
Benson's order is a political move and
lauds Lloyds as an international and
strictly non-political organization. He
says:
80 on the eve of election we have
many manifestations of what Is re-
garded as a national or patriotic pol
icy. They regard Lloyds Register as
a British institution. and it is thought
to be a bold, independent thing just
now among certain sections OF the
Americans to twist the tail Of the
British lion.
"I do not know what opinion the
management committee OF Lloyds
may have upon the action OF the
Shipping Board, but feel convinced
they will regard the matter with the
eQuanimity which becomes those who
are responsible for an institution
which has weathered many storms
today Lloyds Register has long
ceased to be a purely British institu-
ton, and that is it's strength"