New-York tribune., 1920-12-09
American Ships Affected

no" !nuCH more tre present adNer5
conditions tel! against American ship
png & an that of other nations is in
stanced by conditions in the coal ex-
port trade. While q comparativelv few
weeks ago coal freights to European
ports were as high as SO a ton, rates
are now quoted In the neighborhood of
10 ton, and even at tn level there is
little business being done. As vessels
operated on the American scale of costs
cannot carry protltably under ST TO s.
ton at present, they are not figurin
in the coal trade, with the result d,
the business s in the hands of foreign
ship owners, and these are finding it
difficult i secure business, even at
losing rates.
Buyers continue to hold Off" saws
report issued by A. II. Bull 6 Co.,
and does not appear that much
further business will be done for the
rest Of the year. Most American ship
owners cannot be Interested at TIE
present rate and there are Indications
that foreign vessels may be W thdraw.
IN the near future if rates continue
weak. Even though owners can op-
crate at less expense, due to the slight
reduction III the price Of bunAera,
there is no profit at to-day's rates, and
most operators are taking a loss Il o..
der 10 keep their ships moving
Rates Are Demoralized
The General cargo market is demor-
allied TNe rate war precipitated by
the French Line and the Lloyd Roya,
Beige. cutting conference rates 20 Con-
t.neNtal European ports, continues, with
no hal. in the downward tendency. 4
a.cmeut issued from the Lloyd Royal
e Indicates that that company has
q oh e :
ike 70 see the conferences reestao-
ished, but no definite STEPS have been
Ken in tNis direction. In the mean
time rates nave reached point where
there Is no profit Tor American ships
-Na the very limited amount Of cargo
,fering shows TO aigns oi impending
innrovcmcAt.
ln some quarters there is j. belief,
.o~eFer. That 'ne worst has now been
y4acnod and that better conditions may
b. looked ior early next year The
proposal Of the Shipping Board to with
'raw 5o per cent Of Is ships operating
between Seattle and the Orient is pro-
t"stet against b. A. T. Haines, vice-
president Of the Pacific Steamship Com
0any Mr. Naines says that the slump
l. -raus-Pacitlc trade is only tempora
= ard Wil ne Cver by spring 1t the
'l'e-'.
>teerdEc Irdde Anectet
The iaov,inent 20 restrict immi gra-
iol regarded WITH apprehension ~
Anler,cai. sh.pp.rg met. steps have
ter ,aesr by number OF companies
- l4t1'e this traCc and vessels nave
.ee1 -"carrA and reconGition-G for that
-4spose. re Shipping Board mas a.so
JOArd 20 the utilization OF CONSIDER
.o.e part o. it's tonnage IL carrying
migrant rr1.4ic and f this source Of
lsiuess IS cut Of the board Will nave
aew problem 7n It's hands.
I, vii also maze u more difficult ter
-.. board - dispose Of much OF tao
o-nor German shipping, many o. tne
uers BENG especially adap'ed IoI the
-ee.ag. traae Several lines had been
-9rs .t-r.ng the acylsnDll.tv OF secur-
~ The Levia-nan for nynigratlon
ra...c and L the proposed restrictions
re carr.eL through, the market ior
.al- vessel viii De d Ver- limited one.
Tic possibility Of the app lcation of
ronioitiar 70 American vessels. no
4at.er where t.ey NAV be, - regarded
; sh.pI-Ag mer a. another s'eV on we
ar. IF 'Nr ro.erainel.t tnat ~ d work
.gl.cst American shipping 20 the Deneht
,o4eisA lncs ..,...oe
Winthrop T.. a..l-lu. vice president OF
ne American Steamship Owners AS
.ociat.0n. Dolnts OUT tnat rigid enforce
-aen. of ,te nronl on .aw on speedy
passenger slealaers will mean not only
qaic< abaalonu.eA5 Of regu ar line
,.eamsa.p -svices. but the destruc-
ION aiso of nc American naval reserve
q; .set trers7ar's ard auxiliary cruis-
ers. 'It 4il meau, # this opinion is
niorcea ae aeds. that N snor'
me me ani. :Aegcnant ships capaD.e
Il car.yirg troous iu q national emer-
yerc~ vi -. .n sne hands of foreign
Zip onler..