The New York herald., 1921-02-04
FOSTERING EXPORTS
10 LATIN AMERICA
Ship and Other Problems of
Trade Acted Upon by New
Commerce Body.

WASHINGTON Feb. 3.-Chairman Ben
son of the Shipping Board does not ex-
pect to see any immediate increase in
the volume of freight to Latin American
countries, he told the Committee on
Transportation and Communication,
dealing with Latin American problems
to-day at its first meeting. The COM
mittee, which grew out of the second
Pan-American Financial Conference. re-
ceived reports from five subcommittee
and adopted resolutions designed TO i'm
prove trade conditions with South
America.
Admiral Benson, as chairman of tho
ocean transportation subcommittee, de-
clared that judging from observations of
freight movements he had made as
chairman of the United States Shipping
Board there were enough vessels run
ming to Latin American countries now
to care for available business. He added
that perhaps there was a surplus Of
available tonnage space. due to a gem
eral depression of business and high
freight rates in the United States.
Chairman Benson also discussed with
the committee the policy of the Shipping
Board as to trade routes, and said that
in the Latin American service the board
had seventy-seven vessels of $50. 600
tons
Senator Fletcher of Florida chairman
of the radio and cable communications
subcommittee, introduced resolution.
which was adopted providing that Con-
gress be urged to pass the pending bill
authorizing the Navy Department to ac-
cept press messages at a fair rate to
and from South America.
The committee also adopted resolu-
ton recommending the enactment Of
legislation which would enable the erec-
ton of high powered radio station on
the west coast of Africa. Rear Admiral
Bullard Director os Naval Commurlica-
lions, urged that the United States ac-
quire as soon as possible radio stations,
cable service and privately owned trade
papers in Latin American countries so
that the United States's point OF view
on general trade questions might be pre-
sented better to those countries.
G. S. Haight of New York presented
the report of the shipping and insurance
Recommendation subcommittee, and reso-
luton was adopted instructing the COM
mittee to draw up a new form of a bin
Of lading to Latin American countries
for submission TO the Shipping Board. |
Interstate Commerce Commission, large
steamship lines. American Bankers As
ISOLATION and marine underwriters.
Mr.. Haight said that shippers now
were Iaboring under SO many forms of
bills of lading that they we're badly |
handicapped
Difficulties encountered In completing |
the Pan-American Railway were re- [
ported by T. c. Powell, vice-president Of
the Erie Railroad and chairman OF the !
railroad transportation subcommittee, |
who also discussed the need of develop
ing all carriers in South America feed
ing ports of steamship call. and the
Mexican railway problem.
Prediction was made by Senator
Townsend Of Michigan. chairman OF the
postal subcommittee, that the postal |
agreement signed at Madrid recently |
making domestic postal rates OF the
United States and Latin American coun- |
tries applicable to intercountry mail
matter would greatly aid trade.
In addition to the chairmen of the |
sub-committees. others attending the |
meeting to-day were Secretary of Com
merce Alexander. chairman of the COM
mittee; Frank 8. Munson of New York. |
president Of the Munson Steamship lines ; |
Fl. F. Alexander Of Tacoma, president OF
the Pacific Steamship Company Emory |
Johnson OF the University of Pennsyi- |
vania, Ira Campbell of New York, S. l.. |
Weber, superintendent OF foreign mails ; |
Wesley Frost, chief of foreign trade adj |
visers of the state Department; l.. s.
Rowe. director general OF the Pan-Amer-
lean Union: c. z. MCGUIRE of the Inter- |
national High Commission and ]. c. Cor
liss of the Anglo-London Bank Of San /
Frenclsco secretary of the committee.
In opening the meeting Secretary Alex !
Rnder said the committee expected to \
work through its five sub-committees |
and recommend such legislation both to |
the United States and South American |
countries as II believed would benefit |
trade Recommendations for foreign |
laws will be made through the Pan
American Union.
The meeting was the first the COM |
mittee has held since Its formation on
January 23. 1920. During last year the |
subcommittee made preliminary sur
veys OF the Latin American situation. |
II was stated that the full committee /
expects to meet once or twice a year.
subject to call Of the Secretary of Com
merce.