Evening star., 1921-07-03
by BEN BicKELwAY.

by BEN McKELWAY.
| NE Of the big problems facing
the new Shipping Board is
~ the maintenance of adequate
| Shipping facilities between
the United States and South American
ports. supplying the present trade and
encouraging the development OF fu-
ture commerce between the American
republics, Chairman Laskar desig
mates the work sine. taking over his
new position as building a frnA
foundation" on which to build before
going forward with new policies and
new plans. But the part the Shipping
Board is to take in maintaining and
developing trade with Latin American
has already peen discussed and the
subject occupied prominent place
among those taken up at recent
|ccnference between the chairman
and Secretary of Commerce Hoover.
Unless the United States maintains
the trade routes established between
this country and South American
ports during the war. 1t must lose
necessarily much of the trade already
gained. These routes must be main
tanned in the face of growing COM
petition from Europe, for what ap-
peals to the South American business
man is not so much the sale as the
delivery Of goods-the quick and sure
which is said to have contributed
largely to the success Of Germany in
winning back South American trade
Is the ability OF her merchants, al
though they are handicapped. to de-
liver the goods when promised.
Coal can be sent from the United
States to Argentina or Brazil cheaper
than can coal from Great Britain.
provided the coal Is shipped in Amer
lean. and not British. bottoms. Amer
lean ships landing in Brazil. for in
stance, with coal from the United
States are able to take aboard a car
go of wheat. beef or some other prod
uct destined for Europe. then return
ballast or cargo. They are not re-
iquired to make the long return trip
from South America without cargo.
Experts at the Department of Com
merce are now preparing for the
Shipping Board tables which show the
routes now followed by American
vessels. with recommendations. it is
understood. for certain changes.
These tables will be used by the Ship
ping Board in rearranginG the trade
routes to be followed by the Ameri-
can merchant marine.
| X X X
DR.. Carlos ChaEas. the distinguished
|
ed States. has been elected an homo
| rary member of the provisional board
| of directors of the Gorgas Memorial
| Institute. for the study of tropical
diseases.
Senior Don J. f. Lefevre, secretary
of the Panama legation here. one of
the origniators of the GorEas me-
/, mortal idea and consistent worker
/, had
pleted under his direction tentative
plans for the building which will
house the institute. the plans to be
i approved later by the board of gov
! ernors. Though the Panama Costa
| Rica dispute has held up to certain
| extent work for the memorial. the
idea of the memorial in Panama is
gaining popularity in the United
| States and abroad.
A definite announcement from the
State Department to the effect that
| the Panama-Costa Rica boundary
| controversy has been amicably set
tied may be expected within a few
days. according to those who have
| kept in close touch with the situ-
alton.
i Despite Panama's efforts to the con-
trary. the White decision on the
boundary will remain in effect. it is
! stated. Although special mission
from Panama. headed by Narciso
Garay, Panamas secretary of foreign
| affairs. has been in the United States
for some time and presented argu-
ments in Panama's behalf to the Sec
! retary of State on several occasions,
it is understood the State Department
will maintain its original position on
the dispute.
| X
Though Costa Rica's refusal to join
| the Federation of Central America
| despite the generally accepted be-