New-York tribune., 1921-03-16
Abolition of
ShippingBoard
Seen as Likely
All Marine Affairs Under
Commerce Department
Would Be Best Move. Is
View Now Held by Many
Merger of Bureaus Urged
Hoover Favors Cooperation
in Foreign Trade Work: {:
Legislation Looked For

The Senate having adjourned without
receiving the expected nominations of
the new Shipping Board, many ship
ping men now regard the likelihood of
the abolition Of the board and the con
duct Of maritime affairs under a new
system as greatly increased Gen
orally the opinion is that the func
tions of the Shipping Board will be
transferred to the Depa rtment Of Com
merce and that government regulations
Of other phases Of shipping will be
brought under the same supervision.
Legislation. including the amend
ment Of the merchant marine act of
1920 would be necessary to bring
about tAis result, and as some time
would undoubtedly be devoted to con
Sidering the exact system to be
adopted, the immediate elimination of
the Shipping Board is not to be looked
for in any event.
President Harding, during the
late campaign, was regarded as
favoring epartmental control Of
the new merchant marine, how
ever. and il IS believed that any step
in the direction of the plan outlined
would have his support Pending the
working out Of such a policy, however.
Shipping Board may be appointed
10 carry on the work which is now
under the single supervision Of
Admiral Benson.
Hoover For Cooperation
Secretary of Commerce Hoover has
already indicated that he regards a
combined shipping and railway policy
as essential to meeting foreign com
petition. "lf we would so improve our
national efficiency and our foreign
trade he has stated, eve must con
sider our trans portation. railway
water and marine as one system d.
fected 20 serve the nation as whole
The Development of certain trade
routes through our mercantile marine
rs the rea extension of our inland
iransportator the Improvement of
great waterways; the opening of the
Great Lascs to ocean going vessels;
me development Of great electriica-
tion Of our power necessities, and the
Aanaling Of our labor readjustment by
moderate mon on both sides are all
problems that have fundamental
bearing on the recovery in commerce
and on our ability to compete"
As the situation stands at present in
addition to the functions of the Shin
ping Board, both the Department Of
Commerce and the Treasury have
supervision over various phases of the
operation of American, merchant yes
sels. BY bringing most of these func-
uons under one central body, many
men say, conditions would be greatly
smplited and benefited
Could Merge Much Work
The probable course to be followed
would be the creation of an Assistant
Secretary of Commerce in charge of d
bureau ot shipping under that depart
ment tnder this official could be
placed, in addition to the work now
zone by the Shipping Board, with it's
seven commissioners, the Public Health
Service, now under the Treasury. and
the Bureau of Navigation. the Light
house Service, the Steamboat Inspec-
non Service and the Coast and Geo
aetic Survey
The Coast Guard Service. now under
.he Treasury might also be taken over.
tut many shipping men believe that
ms work could more advantageous
oe transferred to the navy, and move
ment having that for its object is un
DER way The Customs Service is re-
garded as suitably placed under the
treasury, as it is vital part Of the
national financial system. The Public
Health Service, however, which deals
with ouarantining and sanitation on
vessels and railways, it is contended,
would be better placed under a system
1ealhg transportation. This
oranch, 1t pointed out, was originally
known as .ns Marine Hospital Service,
ana among other things has had the
care Of disabled seamen.
= Inc work OF the Interstate Commerce
commission. which is largely of a judi
cal character. should probably be con-
uhued under the present system, ship
ping men say. In some respects. how
ever Its work is allied with that Of
marine transportation, and its CO.
cperatlon is necessary in the fixing of
preferential rail rates for goods ex-
ported or imported in American YES
sells
Single Control Advocated
Under present conditions the various
sectlons OF the country are represented
N N the membership of ne Shipping
snSoard' but most shippil men regard
.als as disadvantage ;her than an
saaVantage, believing tn; it leads to
ulsputes and delays on crying out
national shipping policy, which would
0e avoided if one man were in charge
u marine regulation.
secretary Hoover's policies for the
,e:Apahslon of American trade as out
''neu thus far have met with general
approval in shipping circles, and the
transfer Of the Shipping Boards
t.uhctlons to his department. would
.arnish an opportunity to have the ma
IONS maritime affairs receive the ben
e"g OF those policies, it is argued.
mere has been some talk of creating
department of the marine or of
transportation. with Cabinet officer
a. a. It's head but, in addition to adding
W Ihe brancheWof government, it is
polhted out, this, # it took over the
rsesent shipping activities Of the De-
ral'ment of Commerce, would so great