New-York tribune., 1921-02-18
Shipping Board
Optimistic on
Trade Outlook
Rates About at the Lowest
Now and Improvement Is
in Sight, That Body Holds;
More Ships To Be Tied Up
VIII Now Receive Funds
$40. 600, 900 Due From War
Department, According to
Decision Just Rendered

Improvement in the maritime situa-
zion is now reported to be imminent
in the view of the Shipping Board.
"0ficials Of the board for the first
time in many months are beginning
TO speak with optimism On shipping af-
fairs" says a statement issued by the
National Merchant Marine Association.
"They express the belief that rates
have now about reached bottom, and
that while more ships will be with
drawn in the next few weeks some
Improvement is in sight. Admiral Ben
Operations concur in tbs view. Reasons
fer this opinion are the more numerous
inquiries for shipping space and the
better tone prevailing in industry
generally.
approximately $50 steel vessels are
now idle, having been withdrawn from
operation by the board. Others will
probably be withdrawn in the next
month or six weeks. bringing the total
70 between 400 and 500.
Change in Repairing Plan
"The Shipping Board has adopted
resolution terminating in ninety days
It's contract with the Bureau of Survey
for supervision Of certain repair work
Admiral Benson has stated that for the
present these duties will be handled
BY the director Of the Division of Con-
struction and Repair and that event
ualy they will be taken over by Syn
dcate A, organized by the board and
insurance underwriters last summer"
While the Shipping Board has been
hampered by the rapid exhaustion of
its funds, some relief is now in sight
through the ruling Of the Comptroller
CT the Treasury that the War Depart
ment must pay the board for the con-
struetion of eleven army transports at
Hog Island. This decision is stated to
involve the payment of about $40,-
100000. All of the transports have been
delivered.
Another ruling by the Comptroller
Of the Treasury holds that the War
Department is not compelled to pay
the Shipping Board for vessels seized
ia American harbors during the war
and subsequently allocated to the army,
including the ex-German steamers.
Outlook for New Board
e Failure Of the Senate to confirm the
sppoin tments of the present commits
sloners composing the Shipping Board
has brought out the fact that no sal
aries have been paid TO the new board. |
The general understanding is that |
President-elect Harding will name |
practically new board almost imme- |
diately after his inauguration.
There Is considerable likelihood that |
Admiral Benson and possibly one
other commissioner will be retained
in order to maintain q connection with
what, has already been done by the
board. Representative G. W. Ed
monds, of Pennsylvania, a member OF
the House Committee on Merchant
Marine and Fisheries, and Secretary of
Commerce Alexander are among those
talked of for places on the new board |
More active steps toward the en-
forcement of the merchant marine act
are expected to follow Mr.. Harding's |
inauguration. The present board has
had the establishment of preferential |
rail rates on imports and exports car |
ried in American vessels under consid- |
Grafton for some time, in conjunction |
with the Interstate Commerce Commis- |
sion, but no definite action has been |
taken. Completion of the bulk of the
Shipping Boards feet of 535-foot /
liners and the ALLEGATION of these YES
sells for service in the Pacific is said |
70 be awaited in order to assure an
adequate amount of liner tonnage in !
:ne Pacific trade under the American
flag.
Discrimination in Allegiance
Action to secure the enforcement of /
Che terms of the merchant marine act !
providing for the amending of com
nercial treaties with foreign nations, I
30 as to place this country in position /
70 provide discriminating duties and /
tonnage dues In favor of American yes /
sells, is also looked for. President |
wilson has refused to carry out the |
provisions of the act in this connec-
tlon on the ground that it would breed |
International resentment.
Senator Wesley L. Jones, chief |
sponsor of the merchant marine act.
JOCKS for steps to be taken with the /
incoming of the new Administration.
x,I am sure" he says, Chat after
March we may expect action to un-
shackle this country from those COM
mercial treaty provisions which pre-
crude US from imposing discriminating
customs duties or tonnage dues in be-
aalT Of our merchant marine if we
eeem 1t T7ise TO do so. This will be
Drought about by the executive branch
ot tne government giving the notices
81 aorogation required. President
HIrding will follow the law, If l am
not greatly mistaken.
If the Executive does not act Con-
gress can do so, and l am sure it
WI do so when the general tariff leg
siatlon comes up if it is deemed in
o.r interest to reenact the discrimi-
mating duty system. The method of
a0rogation provided in Section 81 of
me merchant marine act is the courte-
GUS way to do it, 1T it is not the only