The Washington times., 1920-07-15
BID
ON[EV|ATHAN
Admiral Benson Says Cost to
Refit was $8,705, 1000, So
Sale Was 0rdGred.

NEW YORK, July 16:-.The main.
tanning OF a powerful merchant ma
rine Is not only right but a duty
or the American people"
This was the keynote OF speech
yesterday by Rear Admiral william
s. Benson. chairman OF the United
States Shipping Board. He spoke at
a luncheon given In his honor at the
Waldorf. There were present $50
ship owners, builders, publishers and
press agents interested in the mer-
chant marine.
1t was arranged by the Advertisers
Agencies Corporation. The admiral
laid before his audience not only the
Importance OF the marine. so far as
the Shipping Board is concerned. but
Its present actual scope and size.
EXPLAIN LEVIATHAN BID.
Regarding the proposed sale of tho
Leviathan, Admiral Benson explained
that the board had first endeavored
to provide for the renting OF this
ship for the regular transatlantic
passenger trade. The lowest bid re-
ceived was $S.705,0O0. and the board
felt that this was too great a sum
to be devoted to the purpose.
Then the ship was advertised for
sale, providing for a $4,000. 900 pay
ment and 20 per cent OF the ships
earnings for ten years. He may still
act on the proposition. he said, but
felt 1t should be laid before the en-
tire board.
The number OF vessels and their
total tonnage still In the hands OF
the board and tables OF explanations
nSad n iJln frs 70 Ill L..
The total sea-going Merchant Ma
rine OF the United States on June 30
consisted he said. of 3.404 vessels. of
1l,27S,74l gross tons. or this total
the Shipping Board now owns 1902
vessels.
TONNAGE DISTRIBUTION.
The tonnage at present controlled
by the Shipping Board. exclusive Of
the vessels owned by the army, is
distributed in the various trades as
follows: Thirty-nine per cent in
Northern European; 10 per cent in
Southern European; 3 per cent in Afri-
can; 16 per cent in Trans-Pacific: 1
per cent in South America per cent
in West Indies and Caribbean: per
cent in domestic service, and 3 per
cent in operating between foreign
ports. The admiral continued:
Many people think the Shipping
Board is merely something left over
after the war that should be disposed
OF as soon as possible. That is the
wrong notion. The Shipping Board
Is establishing, developing. and main
tanning an American Merchant Ma
rine.
1T was not intended as tempor-
ary affair. Its object was that it
might function in a manner similar
SO far as sea-going business is con-
cerned, to the Interstate Commission
functions on land.
"The-war has eliminated one great
competitor in sea commerce and has
one left, one that still is of great ad-
vantage. The cause of trouble be-
tween nations was selfish interests
and sea commerce was the founda-
tion Of many of these.
AGAINST FOREIGN PRETATEs.
THE present problem is one for the
whole people, and the pushing of the
merchant marine should be, so done
as to provide a minimum possible
cause for irritation on the part of
competitors. While due regard must
he had by us for the rights Of other
nations, none shOuld be permitted to
dominate.
~NOoOuy snOuIu De permitted to
say how many ships this country sh all
be operated or by whOm-so long as
they fly the American flag. Competi-
ton II bound to be keen and this
country cannot succeed IL the shipping
continues to be operated by the Cow
ernment."
Questioned regarding the new
Hamburg line matter. Ad-
miral Benson said that the agreement
whereby certain ships ready for SER
vice were transferred, was thor
oughly American proposition. He
hoped in a few days to give the pub
lie all details. He added:
1.-THE board wishes that Americans
shall have the best possible service
without being tied up with any for
eign companies. The Hamburg Amer
lean proposition is a cold -blooded one,
as will be seen when the terms are