New-York tribune., 1920-12-25
OF
State Blamed
By Exporters
Shippers Declare Return of
the Poznan From Havana
IJnloaded Is Due to Action
Directed by Government
Loss Put at $2,OOO,OOO
Shipping Board Is Urged in
Future to Investigate
Operators Responsibility

Z.
That the State Department Is re-
sronsible for allowing the return Of
me steamer Poznan from Havana with
ous unloading is the statement made
by committee representing New York
firms that had shipn ents on the ves-
yel. headed by F. c. Baily, of Joshua
:. Baily G. Co.
The return of the vessel without dis
charging its cargo, the committee says,
Aas caused losses a.timated at more
Than 100000 to $50 American ship
ners and their Cuban customers,
,ejther of whose wishes were con-
suited in advance by the Acme Opcrat-
IMP Corporation, in charge of the ves-
sci. or the State Department.
"That the State Department is re-
sronsible," says the committee, sis
shown by the following quotation from
letter from this department.: The
,elease Of the vessel (Poznan) by the
Cuban authorities was sough: aud OBJ
tained through the American Minister
to Cuba
Cuban Protest Overruled
att is stated" the committee adds.
that this release was obtained over
the protest of the Cuban authorities.
vnrt ,1r py eymore, we understand that a
circular from the American Legation
Las been received by customers of
American shippers IN Havana, reading
rs follows:
"sHavana, Cuba, December 3, 1920.--
Merchants in Cuba having freight on
tn. Poznan can arrange for it's early
return to the port of Havana on
smaller vessel without additional ex-
pense by requesting the American firm
from or through whom their pur
shases were made to arrange that this
be done. The shipper should
be so advised By the mel chan in Cuba,
so that he may take the necessary
steps in order to expedite the mer-
chandise or not to send it back to
Cuba
However, the shippers themselves
Lave received from the Acme Operat-
ING Corporation q circular dated one
Cay later tran The above circular,
ieading as follows:
I'VE are incosing herewith a bill
covering Your return freight on your
sh'pment, upon payment of which, to-
i,ether with your prorortionate storage
thsrses, should any be incurred, and
She production of the proper papers,
your goods will be subject to your
order Il. e.. in New York;.
Difficulties for Shippers
Under such conditions it appears
nat it may be difficult for the ship.
pers who are forced to pay these ex-
Hnr
conSlgnees, who have received the first
but not the second circular above
quoted unless the legation in Havana
PIT civ recalls this circular.
at is understood that the State De-
:arfment IN taking til action accented
certain assurances Of the Acme Operat-
ing Corporation and the Polish -Ameri-
can Navigation Company without any
'hing IN writing, without any bond. ana
probably even without an investigation
IS 20 the standing of these companies or
rne probability Of their assurances being
carried out in good faith As to how
hey are actually being carried out. we
fefer to the Acme letter above, in which
IS stated in effect that they will not
Geiiver the merchandise TO the shippers
n New York unit the shippers have
rad the additional freight back from
Havana TO New York !. e.. for a trip
made agsinst the desires and Interests
II the shippers and their foreign Gus
-Cmers
"And now the highest department Of
re strongest nation on earth says it is
Unable to do anything about the mat
-er. although it was able TO con-
-ummate various acts wh ch conserva-
tive estimates state caused a loss Of
over 81 0O0O0 American exportcrs
I'd their customers.
Furthermore. it is understood that
ne State Department is intruding in
me contracts between the shippers and
me conslgnee by publicly taking the
POSITION that the goods should not be
seshipped to Havana without authority "
rom the consignees. The last sentence
u the circular from tie Havana lega-
tlon above quoted substantiates this
statement. Thus the State Department
IS apparently Offering the cons igneas
good excuse for repudiatng their
contracts, as the consignees can simpiy
say That they DO not now want the
merchandise, and they can use the po-
ziton publicly taken by tho State De
2assment to justify their stand.
lnvestgat on Is Urged
1T ia believed an investigation shoula
eiso be made by the proper government
agency regarding another Acme boat
me Krakow, which it is reported was
Arst looted and then burned, when only
partiy unloaded, in Havana harbor
It has been stated that variou.
eocks and lighters in Havana we're Of
cred for the discharge of the Poznan
1ut that the owners failed to avai
themselves Of the opportunities offered
IN fact, II is stated the Poznan wa
actually tied up to a wharf in Havana
,us left the wharf and sailed from the
aarbor the next day.
II is hoped that either the State De
ysrtment or the Shipping Board vii
70 something 20 help the shippers OF
,his boat, and for the future TO prevcn'
american shippers from losing possiDl,
a'll'ons Of ilars on account Of IN:
fperations If unin7egtigatcd snip chas
$fers or owners who possibly obtar
ooozsession Of United States Shippin.
Soard boat by paying more or les.
+sminal deposit or few months
'sntal, and then sail abroad and return
-'ine without unloading, and hold th.
ergo to obtain freight charges boti