New-York tribune., 1921-01-19
bIsps Sought
h Halt Drop
h Ports Trade
|.vision Of the Export Rail
Rates to Meet Terms of
Merchant Marine Act May
Prove Aid to Situation
Apposition From South
|ryersion Of Tonnage by the
Shipping Board Brings
That Section Advantages

That Section Advantages
,nsests on the part o. representa-
!. q the Sodsh Atlantic States Asso-
han and the Mississippi Valley AS
..,;ou against any change in the
l.,ing export rail rates again call
xsu.ion to the effect of the diver
!, Of shipping from the port of New
- and the consequent loss of much
ode here.
With committee comprising repre-
ntstiv. of the Shipping Board and
! Interstate Commerce Commission
,,;se up the question Of the appli-
ation Of preferential rail rates on
ads carried in American vessels. as
.,svided for in the merchant marine
a Of 1920. the status of The Por,
Il New York under existing conditions
An important factor in the situation
when the United States Railroad
administration took over the roads ex,
bars rates lower than the domestic
Estes were in general effect on ship
{usnts in foreign trade. The admins
kration, however, cancelled these rates
In all instances.
Diferentials Restored
Toward the close Of the war diff.
E9entials we're reestablished for mos,
si the ports, including those on the
Cult, the South Atlantic and the Pa
si6c Cosst. No special rate. however
sas placed on shipments through the
pcr. Of New York. In the case OF
Boston, Portland Me-, and some other
lorth Atlantic ports, a penalizing diff
seatial was established.
As many shipping men view the sit
itiSn, If the establishment of prefer
diial rail rates on goods carried in
|merieafl bottoms is made on the pres
BIT basis of aitferentials, 70 freight
sssng through New York hid other
usntie ports will receive the benefis
the preferential rates and the re.
ult will be further diversion OF
hipping from. these ports and a greatly
ktssntuatsd shrinkage in the share of
iorth Atlantic ports in the foreign
nde Of the country.
The protests Of the Southern asso-
ations is said to be against efforts
|saica they attribute to Eastern rail.
sads to have changes made in the
sssirg export fre .ght rates. This
g associations representatives con.
'ru. would eliminate the ADVANTAGE,
aa by the majority of American ports
| % would prevent the development OF
~ foreign trade routes.
New York's Trade Reduced
a result of the Shipping Boards
|siley Of diverting shipping from the
srt Of New York, coup ed with the
fycrable export rates held by other
|srts, the proportion of New York's
bare in the trade of the country has
windled marked Y and this develop
tent has been acc ompanied by a pro-
'unced lessening of the percentage of
hips.
What remedy for the existing situa-
on has been suggested by the Eastern
|aiiroads has not been announced, nor
as any official statement been made
\ TO the method by which the Shipping
'oard and Interstate Commerce Com
lission representatives would seek to
|ut the policy of preferential rail
ases into operation. 1t is assumed
owever, that a plan will be sought
Fhereby all goods carried in American
esssis, no matter from what port, will
|eeeive the benefit Of the preferential
onipping men are expecting, there
|,Ie, tnat rate will oe made for North
tlartic ports. Apparently, they say,
ae Southern representatives fear that
Pc establishment Of these rates will
estroy the Iifferentials now favoring
shsr than North Atlantic ports.
Southern Ports Gain
The chief development of the Ship
fng Boards policy Of diversion has
zen marked expansion in the ex-
srts from Southern and Gu ports,
y no corresponding expansion in the
aports handled through taose ports.
Phe result has been that the railroads
Eye been hauling large volume of
feight to these ports and carr, ing
sIv little IN comparison away from
shipping Board officials have declared
~ the port of New York has had u
iacslcal monopoly of the handling Of
|ae country's trade and that it was
F'oposed to break up this monopoly,
Acccfding to the governments own
tules, however, the percentage Of i'm
st!s ahd. exports through the port OF
ssw York during the fiscal year ended
'sae 80 last, were on'y about per
sfs greater than for the pre~war fiscal
lsar, despite the rerked expansion of
szsde during the war. Less than half
= ecuntry's trade passed through
~ FORK ia the last fiscal year and
4 sae present one the proportion has