New-York tribune., 1920-12-13

ness-llke basis is established for tha
utlllzatlon of government-owned ton
mage; A method of bare boat charter,
on on "hlcn committee of the American
oteamsnlp Owners Association is now
engaged, may later on supersede the
new agreement, by which the ultimate
goal of private control will be made
still more easy and certain of attain
ment.
This present time is one of some
difficulties in the ocean shippinc
business. Freight rates in overseas
trades have fallen. The volume CT
exports has decreased. A certain
amount OF tonnage is unemployed or
working without profit. This was all
foreseen. War rates, like war prices.
cannot last forever. 1t is not impos-
slole that when unfit ships and un-
successful operators are eliminated
there will be a favorable reaction. But
IN any event the completion Of the new
Shipping Board and the adoption by It
OF vigorous, consistent policies under
the new law can very greatly strength
en- the position of the American mer-
chant marine.
Constructive Action Urged
1t Is possible that the merchant ma
rlne act may wisely be revised in some
particulars without being actually
weakened: 1t may be that it can be
broadened and made still more eff
iectlve IN the new Congress or in the
final short session Of the present one.
l, for one, would prefer constructive
rather than discriminative methods It
IS IN no aggressive or boastful spirit
that we urge a further advance of
American ocean shipping. All we ask
is fair share of our own carrying
trade for the ships of our own flag. We
have no hostile designs upon the MAJ
ural shipping trade of other nations
There is room for all nations on the
high seas. believe it is better for
the peace Of the world that every mari
time country should have justly pro-
portioned merchant tonnage Of its own
than that the ocean should be doml-
mated in any sense by the ships of any
government.
Given reasonable aid and encourag-
ment, some of which we have already
and more Of which we may need later
on, the American merchant marine can
and will grow and prosper. The differ-
ence in actual cost Of operation be-
tween American and foreign vessels is
familiar with shipping conditions have
supposed. A relatively little assist
ance given to American shipping in
overseas trade before the recent war
would have saved the country most Of
the three billions of money hurriedlv
and, Of course, wastefully expended in
the war itself.
In the earlier years of the last cer-
tury, when this country had merchant
ships on every sea and the greater part
Of our commerce was smartlv carried
by our own seamen, it was the delib-
crate policy of the nation to foster
it's merchant marine. That was known
to all men to prove good inves tment.
So, | am convinced. will experience
quickly prove it to be again
We do not need to revive the exact
form of those earlier laws, which
might rot be adaptcd 10 circum-
stances that have changed But we
should revive the spirit, of those olGcs
times and apply to our shipping of to-
day whatever aid it may require in ex-
redients adapted to to-day's conditions
If this is done, as the country unmis-
takably desires, there is every sound
reason to expect that our ocean ship
ping industry will steadily grow to
rival our manufacturing in profit and
permanence.