Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-02
ASSERTS R. RS AID
FOREIGN SHIPPING
senator RansdelI Includes p.
2. R. Among Systems Grip
pIing Merchant Marine"
uRGES LAW enforcement
By the Associated Press

Now York, Nov. 2.-Foreign compe-
.,.,or "oided and abetted by Ameri-
s,rs " was declared today by United
s,otes Senator Joseph +. Ransdell, of
Io,,isIono, in an address before the Ad-
,,rtising Club of New York, to be ono
=, rho underlying causes that are Grip
u,,ro the development of the American
merchant marine
Nearly score Of American railroads,
h. said, including some of the greatest
s,stems. have filed with the Interstate
Commerce Commission copies Of con-
tracts in which they agreed to use their
host efforts to secure freight "for for
e,sn shipping companies to the ex-
clusion of others"
Senator Ransdell cited as examples
.,ntracts between the Pennsylvania
ssstem and Furness, Witty 4 Co., n
pritish corporation between the Balti-
roorn and Ohio Railroad and the North
German Lloyd Line, and the Boston
Albany Railroad and the Cunard Line.
Exclusive Facilities Accorded
"Fxclusive use of facilities Is grant
~ In many cases" the speaker said,
Tfree wharfage and freight handling is
viyen. special arrangements through
Ellis of lading are made, and many
other privileges accorded.
.Tbe Boston and Albany Railroad in
"a agreement with the Cunard Line
Sronts the free and exclusive use of
certain piers, and in addition further
nIedVes under certain conditions n re-
Suced rate of two and one-half cents
per hundred pounds for freight in car
"As n result Of the operation of the
various contracts well over 4 million
ions of freight are turned over annu-
ally by American railroads to foreign
ships. The most amazing aspect OF the
situation, however. Is that the rail-
roads, supplied with funds from the
limited States Treasury, have utilized
their resources to build up the business
and swell the profits of foreign COM
petitors of the Governments shipping.
In other words, the Government of the
United States is placed in the position
of using its money to foster competition
with itself.
Urges Steps TO Change Conditions
"If the American railroads arc not
prepared to give to the American mer-
chant marine the same aid they extend
to foreigners, steps should be taken to
end these conditions
Aside from foreign competition, fail
ure Of American ship owners to assure
"dependability of service was de-
clared by Senator Ransdell 20 be Il
probable explanation for the transpor-
tation of such a large proportion Of
American commerce in alien bottoms.
Enforcement of the Merchant Ma
rine Act of 1920, Especially of
those sections providing for the main
tenance of new trade routes. equality of
opportunity for American ports gener-
ally, preferential rail rates on ship
ments by American vessels, and dis
eliminating duties and tonnage dues
was recommended by Mr.. Ransdcll.
"The shipping problem is not Sec
tional one but national Onr,' he said,
"and a solution is possible only with
the cooperation of all parts of the
United States.
Merchant Marine Found Wanting
"The one great outstanding fact is
that the Government owned American
merchant marine has been put to the
acid test of competition and has been
found wanting. And for year and a
half there have been on the statute books
Of the Nation provisions that would
have enabled us to obtain and retain
just and profitable share Of our own
carrying trade if they had been en-
forced.
IL know of no stronger argument for
the efficacy Of the Jones bills than
these threats of retaliation. These cries
OF retaliation do not lack echoes in this
country, but trace those echoes to their
source aud You will find yourselves in
the strongholdS of the international
Americans, whose foreign business con
ncctionS are more precious to them than
the welfare of the United StNtes."