The Washington times., 1920-10-07
HARTMAN TO
REVISE PACT
Amendments Safeguarding US.
Interests to Be Submitted
to Shipping Board.

The contract between the Amen-
can Ship and Commerce Corpora
ton, controlled by w. Avsrin Harrt-
man, and the Hsmburg-America1
line, will be amended 70 ~ TO ~re-
move any possible challenge 70
American interests, It was learned
today.
CONFERs WITH BENSON.
The decision by the Hartman In
terest was annousced following q
Shipping Board. whore he held . long
conference with Admiral Benson.
The amendments will be submitted
to the state Department for Its sp-
provai. 80 that n in the future any
foreign government or Individual
should take exception to II. the con-
tract will have full sanction OF the
Government.
In making the amsndmsnts the
Hartman interests are most particu-
lar to state that even In tts present
form the contract II Of the utmost
value to America, but that they arc
anxious to meet any possible criti-
cism.
HENSON PRAISES HARRIAAN.
Admiral Benson said tonight:
w. Averiii Hartman is red
blooded American, who 10 rtaking his
millions to make the American mer-
ch ant marine q factor In world trade.
He sand to make little out OF the
HamburK-American contract as COM
pared with the great fortune already
In his possession, except for tho
prestige he may win as the man
who did much for American shipping.
On the other hand. he may lose much
unless he has the good will OF All
other red-blooded Americans.
Those who have criticised the
contract should remember that II 10
not a love feast. but = strictly ousi-
ness proposition. and that to All
intents and purposes the war 10 Al
an end" -
Admiral Benson vigorously defend
ed the connection of w. q. Sickle.
formerly of the Hamburg American
Line, with the Hartman interests.
II AMERICAN CITIZEN.
"Mr. sickel," he said. "is one OF the
greatest practical shipping men In the
world. Why shouldn't we get tho
beneft of his vast knowledge and ex-
perience? Besides he Ia an American
citizen"
The attack ON the HarriAs. ees-
trset. Il was stated In sffieaa1 creses
here tsAay. II saly part u world
wide campaign psnned - the
British interests against Anerfcs's
shirpinx interests the aAasi.g
GrswtA Of which has be<h sstsunAe1
anA friEhtenet then.
For the Arut time In mere than
sixty years America is openly ehal-
Ieuxinx Great Britain fer the proud
title Of "nistress 81 the seas-"
Prior to July. 1914 Germany's
greatest menace to Great Britain. II
was pointed out here today, lay in
her merchant ships. OF winch snc had
5.450, 900 tons, England had 100000
tons. The United states had little
more than 100000 tons, which car
ried only 8 per cent Of her own ocean
borne traffic and was negligible.
OUR RIVALRY FEARED.
When Great Britain emerS,d from
the conflict her German rival had
been wiped from the seas. but an
| other and even more virile colossus
had arisen TO replace her.
The American Merchant Marine, II
was announced today, has attained
the astounding total OF more than
| Il, 900. 900 tons. OF which 1.69s ships
| totalIing T,2ss. POS tons, are owned by
the Shipping Board.
SECRET PROBE STARTED.
Investigation OF the management
of United States Shipping Board ves-
! sells by private corporations Is being
conducted by Rear Admiral Benson Of
the Shipping Board through a special
committee. Admiral Benson announced
here today.
The board refuses to announce the
names of those who are acting SO
that they may be free to conduct the
investigation without annoyance from
any possible outside influences" In
several cases mis- manager of
Shipping Board vessels has been
brought to the attention OF the board.
In some cases the ALLEGATION division
has recommended that the mango
ment privileges held by certain COM
panies be withdrawn. In one case
vessels were withdrawn from the
Every effort will be made by the
management of a private corporation.
committee investigating the subject
to md IL private owned vessels
howned by operating companies are
being given preference by the opera
tors over the Government vessels or
IL any manipulation II being done to
the detriment of the interests OF the
board.
1t is not believed by the board ofYi-
cials that alleged mismanagement has
been Of willful nature, however.
The report of the committee, which
has been working for about two
weeks without public notice, is eY-
pected before the end OF the present
month.
EI.WEl e FATHER nEAn