Arizona republican., 1921-07-23

 SHIPPING BOARD. SIZES VESSELS ON WHICH RENTS L0NG PAST DUE
Biggest. Ships In Merchant Marine Taken Ov CT When U. s. Mail Steam ship Go. Violates Con tract
IRepubIiean A. P. Leased wirel

NEW YORK, July 22.-Five of the largest and finest steamships in the United States merchant marine. which had been chartered to the | United States Mail Steamship com pany. were seized tonight by repre- sentatises of the United States ship ping board because of an elleged vie- latien of contract.
 The seized vessels all former Ger man liners. are the George Washing ton, America, Susquehanna, Presir dent Grant and Agamemnon. The shipping board representatives vs,re accompanied by Uni.cd states Attorney William Hayward and United States Marshall Thomas Mo- shipping board and a deputy United States marshal were lett on each ship.
 Far Behind in Reptals
 Failure of the steamship company to pay rentals which in the aggregate up to the time of the seizure would amount to about s400,000, was gwen as the principal reason for the boards action by Elmer Schlesinger. it's general counsel
 Four other vessels, also under charter to the United States Mail Steam ship company. which are now on the high seas, will be taken over by the shipping board as soon as they return 10 American ports, MT. Schlesinger added.
 Seizure of the steamships, MT, Schlesinger explained, was definitely decided upon at meeting of officials of the United States shipping board in Washington last night. Other lax ities in carrying out the contract un der which the ships were chartered besides rentals being overdue. were alleged.
 The ships seized vary from 20.oo' to 25,000 tons. They were taker over by the United States govern ment during the war.
 Due to Sail July 30
 The George Washington, one of tn finest of the five. carried Presiden Wilson to Europe for the peace con ference Ilr. Schlesinger said tha about one million dollars recently ha been spent in reconditioning the yes sel. which is scheduled to sail fo Europe from this port on July 5 with large passenger list.
 In order that persons who alread booked passage may not be inconven fenced. Mr. Schlesinger said that mo other company or no one else could be found to operate the vesse she would be run by the shippin board.
 Before completing the formallut of seizure, MT. Schlesinger visited u offices of the steamship company 120 Broadway. he declared, and the informed Charles Mayer, chairman the company's board. of directors. the action being taken and the re sans therefor.
 The seized ships are valued at a proximately .$25,0oo.oo0-
 Mir. Schleisinger declared that [ steamship company has not paid a rental for the vessels since March Mr. Mayer is said to have inform the shipping board officials that rentals could not be paid until e tain obIigations due the compa from the government were met.
 No risistance was offered to seizures. A representative of shipping board and a deputy m shal were left in charge or eacn Q
 Claims Many Discrepancies .
 Mir. SchIesinger said an investi' tion showed an unwillingness on part of the previous shipping bo to enforce obligations due them, that approximately s5,000,o00
 been spent by that board in rec ditioning the vessels after they been chartered by the steams company. This money. he said, T not have been spent ny the govt ment as the ships were chartered a ''bare boat basis.
 It was emphasized by MT. Sc singer that the company was not sponsible for this outlay or mo declaring it to be a voluntary ac the retired board Thc seizure oi vessels leaves the United States
 Steamship company without ship board vessels under it's flag ex the Pan Handle State and Did \ State. which the shipping boar was said, paid the company to
 rate. Among the vessels now an are the Count Vernon, Princess
 toika and Pocahontas.