New-York tribune., 1921-10-25
Plan Fast Ship
Line to London
Prom New York
Shipping Board VIII Grant
Request From Rossbottom
for Three New Steamers
With Greater Capacity
May AddRotterdamR Route
U. S. Lines Service to Europe
To Be Improved by Better
Ships of the 535-Ft. Type


from New York to London and also to
Rotterdam on American flag steamers
is in sight as result of the announce
nent from the Shipping Board that it
d~sends to place three of the combina-
IN cargo and passenger vessels of the
635-foot type on the London route and
FIVE of the 502-foot type on the Rotter-
dam line 1t was learned yesterday
that 7. II. Rossbottom, general man
ager of the United States Lines, has
asked the board to replace the Cen
tennial State and the Panhandle State
with the larger and speedier vessels. 1t
is understood that the tentative assign
ment of these vessels by the board is in
compliance with this request, though it
was not said thet the ships would be
given to the United States Lines.
No date has yet been set for the
transfer of the steamers. 1t is ex-
pected that the change will be delayed
until the entire question of the oper-
alton of passengers ships can be set
ned at Washington. The present tenta-
tive plans may be revised when the
claims of various routes, including
those to Europe, to South America and
the Orient, are considered.
Mr.. Rossbottom said yesterday that
he has not been notified by the board
that the services of the United States
Lines to London and Boulogne would
be improved, but the announcement did
not come as surprise. In the absence
OF any American companies now oper-
sting to Rotterdam, it is expected that
the new service to this port will be
added to the United States Lines and
that the entire feet later will be Of
fered for sale as going concern bv
the government.
Greater Capacity and Speed
The two State" ships now operated
by the United States Lines have a speed
of only 14A knots, while the larger
steamers make II knots. Also, the lat
ter vessels carry about $50 FIRST class
and GOO other passengers. against s5
first class and about 600 others on the
ships now on the route.
with greater first class accommoda-
tlons, said Mr. Rossbottm, the United
states Lines would be in position to
maze a BID for larger number of
tne distinguished passengers who now
patronize the older, established lines
it is recognized that business men
choose ship not only for the comfort
and luxuries of travel, but also for the
opportunities to transact affairs and
make valuable acquaintances.
lt is understood that the managers
OF fhe united States Lines have stated
to the board that the vessels now in
operation to London arc running at n
neavy loss. They have expressed the
uelle1 mat with better vessels the com
pany will be able to compete on moro
equal terms with such concerns as tbe
Cunard and the international Mercan-
tile Marine in their European services
mr.. Kosshottom would not say yester
Gay that the new steamers would show
proht, but gave the opinion that the
present losses would be reduced mn
terially. ''a-
:, The advertising campaign planned bv
the shipping Board. which includes the
expenditure of 100000 for the ac
count of operators, is intended to in
uuce american travellers to use vessels
-, NhitVl t'tetHS nag. IhC tact
Shat Ambassador Harvey went to Eng
land on British vessel is mentioned
Dy american concerns as an instance Of
the failure Of citizens of this country
to use their own ships.
Strong Protests Made
1t was learned yesterday that most
OF the companies which have RECENTLY
oeen eliminated by the Shipping Board
from the transatlantic routes have
protested against this action. Repre-
sentatlons have been made to Washing
Ton that orders to abandon specified
pcIts or call may seriously interfere
WIN tne success of lines which ply to
other ports of the same countries.
-, NO plans nave yet been made by the
oslpplng board for the reconditioninr
o. tne eX-German passenger vessels
Inrmerly chartered by the United
states Mail Steamship Company before
lts shlps were seized by the board
Ofhclais OF the United States Lines said
tnat there is no immediate intention
o, o., putting these steamers into service
ihe matter is now pending before the
ooard. ihere Is Il strong belief amonp
some shipping men that these yessels
should be sold for nominal sum To
American companies for operat;on
under the United States flag. but That
permission should be given to reconais
tion them abroad. 1t is understood tha+
TINS suggestion has been made to ths
BOARD, but that the commissioner Iii
give the work to American wards whar
disposition. on 'helr