New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-10-05
Ship Operators
Here Plan Aid
ForUnemployed
Thousands of Seamen Out of
Work, Officials Are Told;
Marvin Says Foreign
Boats Are Gaining Trade
Decide ON Policy To-day
Owners 10 Fight Proposal to
Amend Law 10 Increase
Freight Loss Liability

Measures to relieve the acute un-
employment in the shipping industry
were discussed yesterday at confer
ence of steamship officials at the Of
fees of the American Steamship Own
ers' Association at II Broadway. r. II.
NJ. Robinson, president OF the Ameri-
can Ship and Commerce Navigation
Corporation, presided. The meeting
was called at the request of Secre tary
Hoover, following the general consd-
GRAFTON of unem ployment in Washing
ton last week, to devise means Of pro-
viding work for the thousands Of sea-
men and officers who are now Idle.
Winthrop L. Marvin, vice president
and general manager of the associa-
ton, declared that the unemployment
situation is constantly becoming more
serious as foreign ships win trade from
American vessels. He pointed out that
a year ago vessels under the United
States flag were carrying about so per
cent of the country's commerce, but
that the proportion has now dropped to
approximately 30 per cent.
Meet Again To-day
No definite conclusions were reached
at the meeting. The steamship men
will meet again this morning to draft
recommendations, and will report their
action to Secretary Hoover.
The executive committee Of the
American Steamship Owners Associa-
ton yesterday made plans for a strong
night this winter against efforts in
Congress to amend the Harter act to
increase the liability of steamship
companies for loss or damage to
freight The committee adopted new
budget, including funds for the en-
ployment of proper legal counsel to
prosecute the attack of the owners on
the proposed legislation. General
Counsel j. Parks Kirln will have
charge of the work
This action by The association is in
anticipation of revival Of The bill
fostered at the last session of Congress
by insurance companies and shippers
to overthrow the existing provisions
of the Harter act allowing the steam
ship companies to limit their liability.
Marvin said, that q bill Of this kind
would increase the burdens thrown
upon American companies in competi-
ton with foreign vessels and would
lessen the chances of successful oper-
alton.
The new budget also provides funds
for nidcr activity of the assoc alton.
ne plan Will be submitted to 4 1ulI
meeting of the membership within the
next two weeks.
Want Jones Law Enforced
A special committee Of the associa-
ton, headed by j. R. Gordon, of tho
Union Sulphur Company, and Alfred
G. Smith, of the Ward Line, is at work
on a report suggesting bills to be pre-
scented to Congress as additions to the
Jones act. The attitude of the asso-
citation is that the Jones law should
be enforced in full by the Shipping
Board and also that further privileges
should be granted to American ship
ping to permit successful competition
with foreign fleets. No intmation OF
the nature of the report has yet been
obtained, but it is expected that the
committee viii recommend some form
of direct or indirect subsidy as an
offset TO the handicaps now imposed
by legislation III the matter Of crews
and wages
The committee is preparing sucges-
tions to the Shipping Board upon the
sale of its vessels and is drafting 4
bareboat charter form for the opera
ton of the ships pending their sale
and the retirement Of the government
from the shipping business. Another