New-York tribune., 1920-09-27

in the industry and will not hesitate
TO spread their panic to as many Of
their friends as will listen to them.
This state of affairs is most unfor-
tunate for the industry. But it does
not appear that there is any help for it
and what cannot be cured must be en-
dured"
Which simply means that in Great
Britain, as in the United States, only
the tittest elements of shipping will
survive, shipping men here say. Once
the cleaning out process has been com
time situation will have been greatly
strengthened. The most unfortunate
part OF the American situation, thew
state, is that the plan to give prefer
entlal treatment to the American shin
has been sidetracked. with the result
that much valuable time will be-
wasted before the will Of Congress can
be converted into action.
That foreign nations will feel most
kindly toward President Wilson for his
refusal to serve on treaty nations the
notice of changes in treaties that
would make 1t possible to aid Ameri-
can shipping goes without saying. How
the British regard the merchant ma
rine act is indicated in a review of
shipping conditions in the Pacific ap-
pearlng in British shipping publica-
ton. According to this the English
have little to fear from American COM
petition in the passenger trade, but
much from the Japanese. In the freight
business. however, it is said to be a
verv different story.
The provisions of the Jones act"
says the paper, will give the Ameri
cans the biggest pull, and the Japanese
nave start In their government sub
slides. We have perforce to make our
way against these handicaps, and it is
only by all branches of the shipping
industry pulling together that we shall
be able to do it. The Pacific trade is
not one that is lightly to be thrown
away, and our representatives in those
waters have not the slightest intention
of doing So"
So much has been written about the
advantages Of oil over coal as marine
fuel that it is interesting to note that
a warning is being sounded in some
quarters as to the dangers of oil.
cHiP y" HeIS must De prepared 1Or
emergencies that arise through the use
of oil, it is pointed out For instance,
it is stated, the owner Of oil fuel
steamers should be more careful Of
the men he employs than in the case
of an ordinary coal-bunkered vessel.
The disadvantages Of free oil fuel on
ship are not to be undercstimated,
nor the ease with which such a condi-
tion comes to pass. Any coal which
breaks bounds can be easily returned
to its proper place, or else dumped
overheard. With oil, however, it is
quite another matter. Getting it back
into its tank is impossible, and pump
ing it overheard is almost certain to
cause trouble.
A case in point that is cited is that
of an American steamer which was de-
tanned in Stockholm on account of q
claim of nearly $4,000 rut forward by
the German owners of the sailing YES
sci Avance. 1t was alleged that oil was
pumped out Of the American ship, and
that a stray flame set the oil on fire.
The German vessel was speedily in
flames, and the crew is reported to
have had narrow escape from death.
The problem of waste oil is a live one
with the New York harbor authorities,
and steps are being sought to deal sat-
isfactorily with the practice of dump
ing the oil into the rivers and the bay