New-York tribune., 1920-10-25
II. s. Must Bow
To Rebate Plan.
Is British View
Only Way for ShipringBoard
Vessels to Participate in
Europe-Far East Carrying
Trade, English Declare
Conference to Dictate
Board Must Yield to Terms
Laid Down or Remain Ors
Altogether. II Is Stated

Altogether. IL kS Stated
That Shipping Board vessels cannot
.ome into the conference of steamship
ar,es operating between the United
Ay;scdom and the Continent and the
srar East except on terms dictated by
Ire conference is the general British
S,ti.ude toward the project to increase
share Of American shipping in the
Srsde between foreign nations.
3 The only obstacle in the way, it is
,oju.ed out, IS the fact that the con-
ts,snce gives deferred rebates to ship
,rs who use its lines exclusively.
/ The trade between the Far East and
3Farope IS conducted on what are known
H. conference principles" says The
1LOndon Times in It's trade supplement,
Hand each line undertakes to provide
H. many ssilinss and agrees on ques-
i ons Of rates. II order that regular
nv Of service should be provided, the
l,hiuping companies maintain that they
nast have some guaranty of regular
support from the merchants, and as
] means Of guaranteeing this support
drs,er Of deferred rebates to loyal sup
j vor.ers is practiced.
I Rebates the Obstacle
The system is Illegal in the United
S..s:es and. therefore, of course, it is
not practced by lines of any national
4 i.y when trading to and from the ports
! si the United States. United States
authorities apparently, are disposed to
contend that The law follows the flag
and that therefore they 10 not see how
1unted States vessels could fall into
Line with other vessels In this matter.
IL IS an Interesting point, and hope
ausy be expressed that the existence
3es old-estaD lsneG methods wiz not
.oye an irsuperable obstacle u the
participation Of United States ships
3s..n the vessels Of otaer nat!onalities
IL Worldwide trades"
1t was only to be expected that the
3Sapping Beard, finding itself in pos
jsesSon or so extensive mercantile
jasrre. would wish TO occupy the posi-
'or IN TIE worlds trade formerly held
4 BY Germany says the British shipping
] FesA.y ta.rp.ay, and it was, there
I ..rs no matter for surprise that the
representatives, Of the Shipping Board
II TINS country should approach the
i.asiera conference to ascertain
isne,ler american ships would be ad-
IE,tec 10 membership, and f so. on
Faat terns They received a sympa-
j..etic hearing. and it was intimated
tNt il American lines wished to enter
iN trade their application would be
ilToraDly cons dered
"Aatura ly the conference could not
iree o't-nanl 10 admit vessels flying
H. American flag: certain conditions
Eaaid have to be complied with, and
Hangeme erts would have to be made
to what proportion Of trade would
l. allotted
Says Board Must Agree
/ "Vhether rebates are right or wrong
not for tine Shipping Board to decide,
d.hc an.ess they agree 10 the same
.A1ing arrangement as other lines
ave done trere is no doubt that their
dpp.cati0r VIII be refused Ii has to
H. remembered that these conferences
ave been a-ilt up by British lines at
s;'es; Expense and. generally speaking.
/, The sati faction and benefit of botn
1erenants and sn ipowners.
FIXED rates are agreed on which
-r.ng taom periods are very much
llaer current charges and which dur
ns Sumps are above the ruling rates
the 1reiErt marne' for ordinary full
SaTgoes. The rates give the owners Il
aAF proi, and enable merchants and
s,'ers 10 he able 10 tell in advance
wat the charges wlll be on any cargo
-ey may wish to ship.
& The parties concerned being thus
s'isnea, 1t Is natural that the Ship
'hg Board q newcomer in the trade,
aNA not Dc allowed TO dictate the pol
4 fy o. the conference. OF which they are
H. present not members. To put it
'2fe 3. they must either come in
aM the terms dictated by the confer
e@ce or not If all.
[. :. Position Criticized
sharper note Of criticism is struck
me liverpool journal Of Commerce
me says
4 The announcement that A r'can
1~pp'As may pos. ue at-...l %
A~acpatou toe trade between the
4g~''ea hrs5erl, the Continent and the
IT. h2st IT present largely in the
j''nas Of companies forming the con
i@snce-l not without It's ironical
i IN the endeavor to bolster up the
damatute merchant marino American
lsgS'a;ion has. by means Of the Jones
A.. set rs face against the system of
1'Oa'ss. Hostility to the principle, it
d.-G a9peal is not to be allowed to
'Aa II the way Of American interests
.sn Ieere Is an opportunity Of break
H. into a sphere Of shipping activity
Af@ote from America"