The New York herald., 1921-06-26
Tells Owners and Operators
He Must Have Best EX-
ecutives From Their
Forces.
675 VESSELS NOW IDLE
Besides, 80 Boats Are Being
Constructed and 260 Worth.
less Wooden Ships Are
on Hand.
WILL REPORT TO HARDING
Does Not Expect Congress OPP
position in Reorganizing
Under Businesslike
Conditions.


Conditions.
In the opinion OF Albert D. Lasker,
Chairman of the United States Ship
ping Board the first requisite for the
reha bilitation of the American mer-
chant marine is that the right kind
of men be brought into the service of
the reorgaHized board. This is the
primary reason for his coming to New
York so soon after his appointment to
the Shipping Board helm
He intends to surround himself with
such men even If he has to com
mandeer them by a sort OF moral
suasion from the service Of the great
shipping corporations centring in this
port He Intends to do all but "shang-
hal" them into Government service. IL
necessary, even though they be re-
garded AS among the Indispensable
men in the companies where they now
are employed
Mr.. Lasker told the ship owners and
operators yesterday their pledges of
cooperation must be translated into
something more substantial than mere
words He is looking for what he
called key" men and for the KEY men
In the new boards operating depart
nents he will engage none who has
not made an outstanding record in
shipping work
To Hold EnrIy Conference.
Chairman Iasker has summoned 10
ar early conference in this city repre-
sentatives Of the ship owning and ship
/ operating interests Of the country at
I large. whom he invites. through the pres
idents OF their respective associations. 10
meet him for suggestion and practical
cooperation.
II VIII surprise many pc. is 10 learn
officially that at time when the Ship
ping Board has 675 vessels of an aggre-
gate gross tonnage of 100000 tons
tied up in port. idle and entaiing upon
the Government monthly loss. exclu-
sive of deterioration. stated by Mr.. Las
ker at not less than s1s.00o.ooO. new
craft are yet being launched for the
J
contracts. and thirty such ships still re-
main to be delivered.
II have been talking further with the
heads Of large shipping corporations TO-
day said Mr.. Lasker Il have sought
70 impress upon them that the coopera-
tion they pledged yesterday has to be
translated into something more suhstan-
tial than mere words. Cooperation. as
understand II. means initiative on both
sides. II means that II any steamship
company has an able man whom it
would be a calamity for II to lose it
should be willing. nevertheless. to sur
render him TO US. even to its own dis
advantage"
'TIave you any such men in mind par
ticularly?"
Lots OF them. and have talked with
some Of them to-day They must be
men who know the shipping business 7
should rather have around me men who
may be prejudiccd in favor OF the ship
ping business and who can help US win
our fight than to enlist the best OF men
who lack such experience I Will say
now that viii engage no man as key
man in the operating end OF this work
VINO mas not Ultflt AZ OUTSTANDING ItNVta
In successful shipping work"
"will the shipping companies be will
ine 70 surrender such men to Govern
ment service?"
sure Of Persuasive Power.
81 believe" replied Mr.. Lasker with .
rhuclSle. that. whether or not they now
think they will In the end they will"
"win the shipping Board pay such
men adequate salaries?"
TIN glad YOU asked that question. ]
certainly shall try to find for them COM
mensurate salaries. a man who comes
10 us on an inadequate salary--and that
has been one OF the most serious of the
Shipping Boards troubles heretofore
comes 10 us only to acquire Government
experience. As soon as he has got it he
flies away TO some private interest
which paws him better. That. In my
opinion. is the main reason why the
present deplorable situation has arisen.
"of course : do not expect 70 be able
10 offer every man the same pay his
talents might command IN private bust
moss There must be certain incre-
ment of patriotic motive. but want 20
nay him enough for him to live on de-
Gently can't pay S5c.oOo yeH
man that amount OF money. but do not
oxpcc, 10 offer him $1,000 That kind OF
thing mas been accountable for much o>
the Shipping Board 5 disaster and mis-
fortune I'm the past.
II am thinking now entirely OF men
rather than Of policies. We must have
men of brains, men of courage, men OF
auts to resist a compromise under pres
-. - dn v-ronr After We have ths
ri.h, kind Of kew men, then wa viii
talk policies. Under that head anici-
pate no antngonism from Congress.
II have been IN Washington long
cnough TO learn that u YOU have the
courage 10 differ with members OF Con-
gress on some policy. and they know
You are doing Il In good faith and with
Intelligence and courtesy. they will sup