New-York tribune., 1920-12-16

Hla1ltlmo strength. 1t came as the re-
suit of war requirements which had to
be met and which were met in mar
velous manner by the shipbuilder, the
ship operator and other agencies which
aided the United States Shipping
Board
There exists in marine affairs all
over the world a most serious condi-
tion. Lessening ocean freight move
ment with the consequent tying up of
many privately y-owned vessels under our
flag and the flags of other nations to-
gether spells serious times ahead for
those engaged in shipping. Foreign
competition, which our merchant ma
rine must face, has become keener
than ever.
Keeping Ships in Condition
We have recently pointed out to our
masters and chief engineers, as we'll as
port captains and port engineers, the
need of utmost interest in the opera
tion and proper repair of the vessels
in their charge. Every man has been
called upon to exert himself to MAIN
tain his ship in seaworthy condition,
so as to effect quick turnaround, to
them within the regular hours allotted,
and by avoiding overtime by every
possible means. The officers have set
a good example. and many Of the men
are following their lead.
Linked with the work Of successfully
establishing a merchant marine is the
task of calling upon our American
shippers to turn from the practice of
favoring foreign lines and insist upon
the use of American bottoms. We have
a we'll organized merchant feet. 1t is
dtions from Our shipyards of ships
most modern in type and adapted for
every kind of trade. 1t would not be
at all impossible for the chambers Of
commerce, cotton exchanges and boards
Of trade to persuade our American ex-
porters to take up the matter and de-
mand that their products be carried
in American vessels. A suggestion has
recently been made which think
should be carefully considered that an
iron bound agreement could be we'll
serve for themselves the right to name
the insurance company that would in
sure their products and the ship that
should carry them overseas.
Recently the new board met for the
first time and was sworn in by j. j.
Flaherty, secretary of the board. The
new board consists pf John A. Donald,
of New York; Guy D. Golf, of Wis
consin; Chester H. Rowcll, of Cali
fornia; Charles Sutter, of Missouri; Jo-
seph N. Teal of Oregon; Frederick l..
Thompson, Of Alabama, and myself. We
have held several informal meetings
since our induction into Office, but no
real tasks have been put before the
new board which could be touched upon
at this time. A general discussion Of
the whole situation has taken place,
ard, judging from the manner in which
hold, the burden which has rested upon
and myself can be distributed very
quickly and greater progress result.
Was Work of Shipping
1t is what we have before us to-day
that you are most interested in, ana
so / shall deal with that The United
States Shipping Board came into ex-
istence several months before we en-
tered the World War. Its real purpose
was to be regulatory body Of ship
ping, with vast powers that could be
utilized to build up our merchant ship
ping. The Shipping Board had hardly
assumed an organization form when
the United States was drawn into war.
Then we plunged into record break
ing ship construction program, which is
now near completion. The ships which
we built during the war played win
ming part carrying our products to
he men at the fighting front.
result Of our merchant marine and
oh 70 vuh int oh m