Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-07-15
BIG REVIVAL IN
DUTCH SHIPPING
$4,000 Tons Entered Amster-
dam in 1918, While in 1919
1t Reached 2,117,OO0.
PREDICT. GREATER INCREASE
Writer Sees Dangerous Rival to Rot
terdam in Antwerp in the Future
Operating Expenses Show
Great Increase.

Great Increase.
WaShingtOn.-The remarkable recov-
cry of Hollands shipping since the
war restrictions have been removed is
shown by a report to the bureau Of
foreign and domestic commerce, show
ing that the gross tonnage of ships en-
tering Amsterdam in 1913 was 267 900
TONS while in 1919 it increased to
2117,OOO tons; at Rotterdam, 1881 900
gross tons in 1918, and 900 in
1919. A still greater increase is pre-
dicted for 1920.
That the Dutch, however, see a dan
gerOus rival to Rotterdam in Antwerp,
is shown by the comments of B. Nier-
strasz, as translated from an article
that appeared recently in linen Uit5
voer, regarding the shipping situation,
which said:
'"There is no doubt that 1920 will
show a still greater increase in ship
ping, although before normal condi-
lions can be restored the recovery of
the hinterland, Central Europe, is es
sential.
'It seems certain that in the future
Rotterdam will have to face keen COM
petition from Antwerp. Rotterdam has
an advantage in it's unequaled connec-
tons with the sea and the Rhine.
Antwerp, on the other hand, has as a
foundation Belgium's rapidly recuper-
lands is not so we'll favored.
Development of Shipping.
"Next to the figures Of shipping in
the Dutch harbors, the development
Of shipping under the Dutch flag mer-
it's attention. The Dutch fleet has a
carrying capacity Of 2,225,0OO tons and
is now, despite all losses and the ex-
traordinary high purchase cost, larger
than before the war.
The major portion Of the extraordi-
narily large profits made by the ship
ping companies during the war and in
1919 was not paid out in the form of
dividends but was carried over to re-
serve and building funds, by which
method means we're found to cover an
important part Of the cost Of building
and purchases"
The writer then points out that vari-
Gus factors have worked toward high
err freight rates, among them the de-
cline in the value of money, high Op-
Grating costs, including high wages,
dear coal and supplies, decreased re-
turns per unit of tonnage in a given
period and high purchase prices for
material. A very important factor, he
declares is decreased returns on ton
mage. He says:
Before the war, under the pressure
of mutual competition, the economical
employment of tonnage had been ex-
tremely we'll organized. 1t was an ex-
ceedinly fine, sensitive fabric, which
demanded continual care against dis
turbance even from slight causes. The
war not only disturbed but completely
crushed this sensitive instrument, as
it did so many other things.
"At present we see the worlds traf-
fic disorganized. Formerly raw mate
rails were brought from the nearest
sources Of supply to the Industrial
centers; but at present the contrary
is the case. Coal comes from Ameri-
ca and South Africa to Europe, from
England to the Netherlands, and is
sent from Germany to France via the
Netherlands Grain no longer comes
from the Black sea and from North
America to Europe, but from South
America. Iron comes from North
America instead of from England and
Germany, and so forth.
Operating Expenses Increase.
1.-THE delay in the harbors is dou-
bled, if not more than doubled, be-
cause of laxness on the part of the
workers, congestion at the loading,
discharging and transshipment points,
short working hours, etc. The dura-
ton of voyages has thus increased
for short voyages by an average of
100 per cent, and for long voyages by
about so per cent. Also, considerably
more long voyages are made than a
rational distribution of the worlds
supplies would call for. The high cost
of the material brings with it in
creased operating expenses and thus
exercises another indirect influence on
ocean freights.
1.-THE high operating expenses neces-
sarily bring with them an absolutely
higher margin of profit, which may be
proportionately no larger than those
to which we were formerly accus-
toned. For example, take case where
the transportation Of given cargo for
q given distance before the war in
Cured an outlay of 10000 forms, and
now costs, say, 100000 forms. If for
merly on an outlay Of 10000 forms a
margin of profit of, say, 1000 forms
was included (Which was netted with
much greater security and within a
previously calculated PERIOD, then on
an outlay of 100000 forms margin
of profit of at least 10000 forms must
be made, the certainty of which is