New-York tribune., 1921-10-06
lasker Charges
Plot to Block
u. s. Marine
Declares Foreign Interests,
Aided by Certain Amer
leans. Are frying to
Wreck Merchant Fleet
Assails Former Board
Tells of Heavy Financial
Handicap in His Address
Before Advertising Men

the possibility Of an Amerlcan mercan-
tile marine, and that these interests
are aided in their efforts BY certain
American owners who arc being bene-
fitted by the status quo, were made yes
ter6ay by Albert ID. Laskcr, chairman
of the United States Shipping Board,
at luncheon given by the Advertise
ing Club at the Hotel Commodore
Mr.. Lasker's appearance at the lunch
con marked mis- first public address
since his appointment to the Shipping
Board. and more than 1000 advertise
ing men gathered TO hear his message
There are those who, for obvious
reasons, d. not wish the status quo
changed" Mr.. Lasker declared. "Un-
VINO. feeling secure IN conditions as
they exist, and which have Injured and
can inure 70 the benefit Of only a few,
of whom they form part, selfishly
cannot see unbiasedly the greater pic
ture OF d greater American merchant
marine, and are loath to bring about
any greatly changed conditions.
Foreign irerests Busy
obviously we cannot gain trade on
the seas without displacing the exist
ing trade enjoyed by foreign ships.
And these foreigners are ever at work
silently but surely, in their own ma
tlonal interest, for which we cannot
blame them, to undermine the posi-
blilty Of an American mercantile ma
rine. The Jones bill must be given
life by the present board These hos
tile forces from within and without.
sowing seeds Of discord and distrust,
must be met and vanquished or Amer
lea will perish forever from the oceans
and be confined to carrying trade with
in its own borders.
*Cnrh - arCOr7r,i h 1,,,a 10
realized, as President Harding has said.
by the waving of a wand. Those who
are truly interested in the winning of
the seas TO America in their impatience
arc crying aloud for results faster than
they can be brought about, and un-
Willingly, are the aiders and abettors
TO those who would destroy the posi-
bility Of an American merchant ma
rinen
Mr.. Lasker indicated strongly that
he favored charging off the cost Of the
vessels of the Shipping Board feet TO
the cost of the war and selling the
ships as rapidly as possible TO Ameri-
can owners.
On this topic he said: "The cost Of
the construction of the fleet and it's
operation up to the present time is
about S3.500 000.00Q. If this sum were
written off to-day and the fleet carried
rs total loss, this greatest of the
governments operations would not owe
the American people one penny
The Shipping Board has steadily
been tying up tonnage. primarily to
stop its own losses, which has incl
dentally resulted in permitting con-
tinued operations by private owners.
who could not run in competition with
the government teven were the gov
eminent willing) during the present
world depression. 1t is the boards
dUty to sec that the utmost tonnage
possible is being carried at this time
under the American tag. but it is also
its duty to see that private operators
are fostcred and that the governments
loss S minimized.
We believe we have our losses
checked and hope TO require not more
than $4,000, 600 a month for operations
from now on until the end of the gov
srnment's fiscal year June 80 next.
Five million dollars a month is huge
sum, but small compared to Keeping
alive an organization with So 500, O0O,-
600 invested and operating and develop
ing essential strategic trade routes,
which must necessarily be run at q
loss Under the present trying condi-
tons OF world carrying trade. We can
not but helevc that if we can produce
constructive policy, the taxpayer,
hard pressed though he is, will not
only approve Of the continued opera
tion at the present cost, but applaud
same, in the comparison to the
previous loss entailed.
The liquidation Of the $500. 900, eco
Of the corporations assets will, at any
time, realize but fraction of the
original cost, because the feet was
built with understandable waste and
high expense during war pressure
The money loss in liquidation need no.
be considered, since it has already
been written off in the cost Of the war
and, as here outlined, served func
ton in full value.
What remains, though, are the
ps-potentially one Of the greatest
assets America has to insure its eco
nome future. which means to insure
the pursuit Of happiness by its people"
2GoC0G0o Tons Tied Up
To illustrate the handicaps under
which the Shipping Board is laboring.
Mr.. Laskcr pointed out that, due TO de-
crease in trade which N 1921 amount
ed 20 only so per cent Of the amount
moving ir 1913. and the increase in
ships, vessel after vessel has been tied
up until at the present time 10000 600
tons deadwei ght hangs over the ocean
earring market This condition viii
prevent an increase in freight to 4
remunerative basis for longer time
after trade improvement sets in, he
said
'Becausc Of this condition. Ny.
Lasaer continued, "the values cf bot
toms have so dropped that time char
rers to-dsv are oae-eighth OF the goinS
rates in the third quarter OF 1919.
in the face Of these new low rates
thc American owner finds himself con-
fronted BY the keencst o. foreign COM
petition. with Inc hand;caps o. higher
wages. expensive victualng and Sc
we're ieglalative requiem cnts. Who
vii question that American living
standards should be maintained on tie
seas rs on the land? But TO be main
tanned they fauSt be paid for, ard the
difference between American and for
el2n standards NUT eomehrw be met.
Americas new merchant marine is
under financial hapdicaps Of q major
nature. Added 70 that the gea routes
q thc world are controlled by other
nations; wherefore we must spend. rs
every ncw business must spend large
sums 70 get our share of Tie trade en-
Joyed hy others. We are thus face 20
face with the question. WHAT must be
done that the American flag may not
only be kept flying On the seas, but
that America may take the place On the
seas thet her needs Of world comme.c
ard her pCEitiOn demand %