New-York tribune., 1921-10-22
Board Is Asked
To Give Relief
To Ship Buyers
Vessel Owners. Builders
and Operators Form a
Committee to Adopt Pol
icies for u. S. Craft
New Laws To Be Proposed
-kction Sought for Purchas-
ers of Government Bot
toms at P q k Prices

Relief by the Shipping Board to all
pioneer purchasers Of government
onnage who bought ships In good fsith
the American Merchant Marine Joint
Committee at its first meeting at IL
Broadway. This action was taken by
representatives of steamship owners,
shipbuilders and ship operators fol-
lowing the organization of the commit
tee to recommend general policies for
the development Of American shipping.
The committee adopted a question
naire of about 100 items which will be
sent to all members of the American
Steamship Owners Association, the
United States Ship Operators Associa-
tion and the Council of American Ship
builders, with request for immediate
answers. When these are received the
committee will hold further sessions
to- formulate a comprehensive policy.
The meeting yesterday was chiefly
for the purposes of organization. A..
H. Raymond. president of the Clyde
Mallory Lines and also president of
the American Steamship Owners As
sociation, was elected chairman Of the
committee. 1t was decided to notify
President Harding. Chairman Lasker
Of the Shipping Board. Senator Wesley
L. Jones, chairman of the Committee
on Commerce, and Representative Will
liam s. Greene. chairman Of the House
Merchant Marine Committee, Of the Gre
alton of the new committee to suggest
policies.
Votes to Ask Relief
The committee voted unanimously
to recommend relief for the pioneer
purchasers. 1t was said in the meet
ing that these companies, most Of
as result of their operations, should
receive lenient treatment from the
government. In addition to urging as
sistance for the concerns which bought
ships on the installment plan the com
mittee recommends that this should
include those whose vessels were requi-
sitioned and who later repurchased the
steamer.
While the committee took no further
action on policies, it was learned that
many Of the members believe that
legislation in addition to the Jones
act should be enacted. The sentiment
Of the shipping men is that the mer-
chant marine act should be enforced,
with the exception that there Is a
divided opinion on Section 81, which
directs the President to abrogate those
parts Of commercial treaties restrict
ing the right of the United States to
impose preferential. duties and ton
mage dues. The opinion was expressed
that IL this section Is now to be ap-
piled. q comprehensive subsidy plan
should be adopted as substitute. One
suggestion was that the government
might work out a system Of pay for
American seamen and vessels as a
naval reserve.
Members of Committee
Members of the American Merchant
Marine Joint Committee, formed yes
terday, are as follows:
For American Steamship Owners
Association: Fl. H. Raymond, presi
dent Clyde Mallory Lines and presi-
dent Of the American Steamship Own
ers' Association; Frank G. Munson,
president Munson Steamship Line; w.
4. Hartman chairman Of the board
United American Lines, Inc; ]. r.
Gordon, traffic manager, Union Sulphur
Company; H. F. Alexander, president
Pacific Steamship Company.
For Council Of American Shipbuild-
ers, Inc: Homer l.. Ferguson. presi-
dept Newport News Shipbuilding and
Dry Dock Company and president OF
tho Council Of American Shipbuilders
Int.; Antonio C. Pessano, president
Great Lakes Engineering Works; H
e. Lewis, vice-president Bethlehem
Shipbuild!ng Corporations; Henry c.
Hunter, secretary-treasurer Council of
American Shiphuilders, inc.
For United States Ship Operators
Association, Charles Fl. Potter. presi-
dent Potter Transportation Company
and president Of the United States
Ship Operators Association; Clifford
u. Mallory, president G. D. Mallory 4
Co.; ". D. Benson, vice-president
Frank Waterhouse & Co.: Albert r
Lafonta, president Trosdal. Plant &
Iafonta; Matthew Hale, president
South Atlantic Maritime Corporation