New-York tribune., 1920-12-01
Move etOCut
Price of Ships
To Be Fought
Benson and Senator Jones
Both Said To BE Opposed
to Any Plan for Reduction
or Government Tonnage
Congress May Take Hand
Private Owners Think That
Vessels Cannot Be Sold
at Present Fixed Figures

Admiral Benson. chairman of the
Shipping Board. and Senator Wesley
l.. Jones, chief sponsor of the merchant
marine act, are opposed to any reduc-
..ou in the fixed selling prices on the
boards tonnage, according 10 a state
ment issued by the National Merchant
Marine Association, with headquarters
at Washington. Sales have been few
at the present range of prices, and
many ship owners have contended that
rates should be reduced to SlO0 a dead
weight ton in order to enable Ameri-
can purchasers to compete with for
eign tonnage on q lower basis of capi-
tai cost.
indications OF a strong attempt to
have Congress and the Shipping Board
revise the ship sales policy are already
becoming apparent With the approach
of the new session. says the National
Merchant Marine Associations state
ment.
Private owners of vessels feel that
the American merchant marine can
the vessels nog held by the govern
ment cannot be sold at the present
prices fixed by the board Also, they
want the potential or actual competi-
ton of government vessels removed
Benson and Jones Opposed
Both Admiral Benson and Senator
Wesiey l.. Jones agree on the principle
Of private ownership, but oppose fur
ther reductions in the sales prices as
means OF accomplishing that end.
The position Of Admiral Benson is that
the figures ranging from S160 TO S1o5
& deadweight ton represent approx
mately the cost OF reproduction, and he
is opposed to reopening the question at
this time The opinion of Senator
Jones IS that Congress has expressed
itself through the merchant marine
act when directs that the cost of re-
production should be taken into con-
sderation, but that, as q matter OF
iact, the entire problem is in the hands
OF the Shipping Board, with authority
Neither Congress nor the Shipping
Board is expected to take the initla-
tive at this time in revising prices, but
pressure is anticipated later from pri-
Yate INTERESTS
Regarding the status Of the newly
named Shipping Board the Merchant
Marine Association states:
The assertion OF Senator Jones,
chairman o.. the Committee on Com
mercs. that he will oppose the con.
frmeton OF the new Shipping Board
Cemmissio toner's named by the Pres
lent Is considered final. UAder the
circumstances il is probable that the
new commissioners win serVe.as recess
appointments until the 4th Of March,
and that Mr. Harding will then have
fsec hand in naming board
Presidents Delay Blamed
The coucention Of Senator Jones is
1aat tne President delayed five months
n making his appointments at time
when additional members were needed
= carry on the york and then named
strictly partisan board. Senator
Jones expects no substantial changes
n the merchant marine act. Bills TO
ostab.lsn free zones and TO require
loadiines on American Vessels are ex-
Fec-eG 30 come up. a bill to repeal
Panama Canal tolls applying TO ships
Under the United States flag viii prob !
aoly be Introduced a. the special ses-
tion q Congress, TO be called ~ Pres (
.dent Ua I'd Nc after March