Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-27
FRANKLIN DEFENDS
SHIP CONTRACT
Declares |. NJ. N. Agreements
Operate Against Best In
terestS of British.

Denial that contract made in
1903 between the British government
and the International Mercantile Ma
rine had anything to do" with the
company's American register tonnage
was made today by p. A. S. Franklin,
president Of the shipping concern, APP
pearing at the opening Of the Ship
ping Boards inquiry as to circum-
stances surrounding the contract.
Il have never seen, heard nor had
an intimation that this agreement
had anything to do with our Ameri-
can flag tonnage" Mr.. Franklin said.
"Our experience has proven that the
agreements have operated contrary
to the best interest Of British ship
ping and have given US the right to
compete
The inquiry was prompted by
statement made by Chairman Jones
last week that the International Mer-
camille Marine had entered into
twenty-year agreement to pursue
no policy injurious to the interest of
the British mercantile marine or of
British trade"
Made Public, Says Franklin.
Mr.. Franklin said the agreement
had been made public sin every pos
sible way and sent to William Den
man, then chairman Of the Shipping
Poard, in March, 1917. and later, in
1919, to Judge Payne, as chairman,
and cambridge Colby, as member
Of the board 1t was published in
1903. Mr., Franklin added. in the an
nual report Of the commissioner of
navigation.
The witness said he challenged any
statement that the company was not
100 per cent American" He sub
said showed 81 per cent Of common
and preferred stock in American
hands, while foreign holdings were
divided less than one-half Of onesper
cent to England, 5h per GENT to Hol-
land, and a. small fraction of one per
South American nations There were
5,421 American stockholders out OF
5,6O5, Mr.. Franklin said.
British Ownership Denied.
1.-THE British government has no con-
troll or. ownership in the International
Merchant Marine" he added, ''in any
way shape or form. The International
Merchant Marine has paid more than
$30,O00,000 to its American stock
to any foreign stockholder"
"Our position" he declared. "is to
make clear that the International
Merchant Marine is an American COM
pany. operated in the interest of
Am erican shipping. That has been its
policy pursued from the beginning,
with the underlying principle being
the upbuilding of the American mer-
chant marine. 1t has British tonnage
which it attempted to SELL but was
prevented from doing SO by the United
States government"
Letter From President.
Mr.. Franklin read a letter from
President Wilson, dated November 20,
1913, requesting that the sale of Brit
ish tonnage be not concluded. The In
ternational Mercantile Marine direc-
tors had voted. he said. that the wishes
of the President be complied with and
the sale officially Cancelled.
eff anybody else had done that" he
said, "they would have been heralded
as patriots. The International Mer-
camille Marine has only been con-
demned"
1--WE feel that we are outcasts." he
added. with our only home in the
middle of the Atlantic In England
they call us Americans, and in the
United States we are called British"
Chairman Benson asked II there
were foreign Officials connected with
the board of the International Mercan-
tile Marine.
mo. sir" replied Mr.. Franklin.
FRANKLIN DENIES CHARGE.