New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
Urge Support of
Government to
Aid Shipping
Speakers Before Academy
of Political Science in
= Debate on the Needs of
Marine in Competition
Differ on Discrimination
Senator Jones Scores Alien
Attacks; Other Countries
Changing Their Treaties

Of discrimination IN favor Of American
ships presented their views before the
Academy Of Political Scienc. at the
Hotel Astor yesterday The six speak
ers were evenly divided on the merits
of the plan to give special protection
to the American merchant marine to
enable it to compete successfully with
foreign shipping.
The discussion, which was on the
topic of 1.-The American merchant ma
rine and the shipbuilding industry in
relation to foreign trade" was opened
by Senator Wesley L. Jones, chief
sponsor of the merchant marine act
Of 1920, who described the provisions
and objects of the act.
No complaint can be made by for
eign countries against the method
provided in the act Tor the modification
of treaties, Senator Jones said, as this
country is seeking to do only what
other countries are doing
Nations Changing Treaties
France has already notified US of
her intention to terminate her com
mercial treaty with u.s." he added,
"and she has given "a similar notice to
Great Britain, Canada, Spain. Greece
and other countries. Spain, Italy Nor
Britain and other countries are getting
rid of treaties that may hamper them
in the contest for the worlds trade.
l. will be little short of criminal if we
do not free ourselves from those
things that shackle US and prevent US
from doing what we know is for our
own best interests. These other coun-
tries are looking after their own in
terests. If we do not look after ours
no one else will.
Wherever possible alien interests
are hiring the best American legal
talent, buying the highest American
writing ability, controlling the most
powerful American publications and
caJoling or coercing American officials
to serve their end. Their paid agents
will be found in meetings like this to
point out dangers and difficulties
Business men will be threatened by
their business connections and com
munities will be intimidated by
threatened withdrawal Of transporta-
ton facilities. Professors in our COL
leges and theorists in our navies will
be encouraged to urge that those who
seem to be especially fitted or trained
TO do the ocean carriage should be al
lowed to do it without competition.
American Support Urged
"The man or the paper that would
discourage the upbuilding of our mer-
chant marine is fighting the battle of
alien interests. We have the brains,
the ability, the energy and the means
to build up an American merchant
m Nd
citizen will determine to do his part
and not allow US to be diverted by fear,
threats or cajolery from that great pur-
pose we will succeed"
Raymond B. Stevens, formerly a
member of the Shipping Board, held
that policy of discrimination favor
ing American shipping would be GER
tain to lead to international ill-will,
resentment and, eventually to serious
complications.
That has been the record of his
tory" he said. DISCRIMINATION
practiced by this country can be coun-
terbalanced by Determinations by
other countries, and then we are back
ct the beginning.
Among the projects proposed are
Panama Canal tolls, lower customs du-
ties on goods carried in American
ships, lower rail rates on exports and
in orts in American bottoms and the
elusive use Of the American merchant
marine.
Opposes Government Aid
'In my opinion, no form Of govern
ment aid or subsidy should be given
az the present time. II government
aid should be extended it should not
IN f0rro ~ ,;pa ho
Shipping Boards tonnage could be
sold materially below cost"
Ine operating problems of the
American cargo steamer were dis
cusse. by ]. Parker Kirlin, who
pointed out how American vessels are
Handicapped both in capital and labor
costs. Disposal of the governments
tonnage st rates that would Offset the
advantages held by foreign shipping,
he stated, would be effective in solv-
ing the problem. Another essential,
fnent competition with private ship
ping, which could also be obtained
by the sale Of the government ships.
The danger of injury to the mer
chant marine through the application
oi discriminating rates and duties, as
contemplated by the merchant marine
act Of 1920 is matter Of grave con-
esrn TO owners and investors" said
DIR. Kirlinx. "The levy Of discriminate
ing duties and rates is q measure
pecah-rly suscepti ie to reprisal. Per
sonally, believe the policy would be
sllnous and would inevitably lead to
seri1us and protracted trade wars, and
am sure that capital would not en-
bark 'argel. in an industry which is
70 start out with trade wars on it's
hands"
Marie Act Discussed
Views along the same line were ex-
preszed by Frederic Il, Coudent, who
declared that the merchant marine
act had slipped through Congress, al
most unseen. Subsidies, he said, would
be bitter than determinations, bat
tnese were also undesirable.
..saki i; for the ship construction
ma -stry, Joseph W. Powell, vice
sldent Of the Bethlehem Sbipbuild-
ing Corporation, declared that the
ns!cnant marine act, far from being
ioose'y drawn anj hastily passed, was
ono III the most carefully considered
sc,s passed By Congress. It's real
ssaius, be said. would lie in it's en-
7orcemsnt.
fof the government to sell its ton
rage at low rates u,.til the conditions
operation were sc.tled in detail, he
nsid would bs unwfse. Some assistance
rom the government TO the merchant
=. ~ HHs WAs essential, he added; but