Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-15

MENACE SHIPS;
PROBE LOOMS
Senate Investigation May Fol-
low Charges of Hurtful
Agreements.
FOREIGN LINES BENEFIT
Special to Indiana Daily Times
and Philadelphia Public Ledger.

Special to Indiana Daily Times
and Philadelphia Public Ledger.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-Another
thoroughgoing investigation Of the United
States Shipping Board by the Senate is
in prospect as result Of the charges
that American railroads have entered into
agreements with foreign shipping lines
which menaces the life OF the American
Merchant Marine. It is aimed this time
not so much at the board or the admin
istration Of the Jones Act as at the con-
tracts made by the railroads.
Adoption Of the LaFollette resolution
or a similar measure calling for such an
investigation is regarded as certain. Sen
ators interested in the strict enforce
ment Of the Jones Act hope in such an in
vestigation to definitely ascertain what is
hindering the development Of the Amer
lean merchant marine and to what ex-
tent these contracts are contributing TO
the unfavorabIe condition now facing 1t.
The infant American Merchant Marine,
struggling for existence, is losing much
of the trade it otherwise would receive
because of contracts for handling freight
between American railroads and foreign
shipping lines.
Senator Jones Of Washington, chairman
public a letter from the National Mer-
chant Marine Association setting forth
startling facts relative TO these agree
ments.
s'There are a number of these con-
tracts" Henry C. Wittbank, secretary Of
association said, land their provisions
constitute potentialities that are so
grave a menace to the development Of
the American Merchant Marine that
searching investigation = Of them seems
not only wise, but vital necessity for
the preservation Of a volume of Ameri-
can shipping adequate to our needs"
From figures made available, there is
evidence that ten Of the leading railroad
lines. including the Pennsylvania system.
in 1920, turned over almost 100000 tons
of freight T. foreign ships and In return
received a little more than 100000 tons.
TIL pennsylvania system, according to
the figures published by the National
Merchant Marine Association, turned
over more than $4,000 tons Of this
amount and received something over
10000 tons.
The agreements, according to the as
ISOLATION, provide privileges for the con-
tracing parties ranging from special
piers set aside by railroads for foreign
lines to reduced freight rates and pIedge
TO work together against competitors.
Among those called attention to were
contracts between the PENNSYLVANIA
system and the Northern Central Rail-
way and Furness, Witty & Co. and the
Pennsylvania system with the Interna
tional Mercantile Company, the latter for
use OF piers.
In 1920 alone" according to the rec
ord's own figures, practically 1000 600
tons Of export turned over to foreign
steamship companies by railroads, most
OF which had contracts with foreign
lines, Mr.. Wittbank continued.
Large as this amount, however. II
rails far short Of representing actual
total deliveries Of exports by American
carriers to our competitors in our own
ocean-going trade. None Of the agree-
ments on file with the l. c. c. so far
as has been possible to ascertain. covers
transportation to or from the port of
New York, and the same is true in regard
TO other large American ports.
Many of the large railway systems Of
the United States have executed apraa-
ments binding them to give the prefer
enee to foreign steamship lines over
American lines, and in cases where sinh
sldiary Of the leading roads have eye
cuted contracts with foreigners. If is
specified that the provisions Of the agrea.
ments shall apply also to the connection
OF the road; thus linking up great