The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-01-20
WESTERN SENATOR BOLD
IN DECLARATION THA I
INTERNATIONAL COMPANY \
HAS BRITISH AGREEMENT
JONES OF WASHINGTON ALLEGES
ENGLAND'S MERCHANT MAXINE
AND TRADE INTERESTS ARE
PARAMOUNT TO AMERICAS


Washington. -an. 2O.-Charges that
the International Merchant Marine
Company, an American shipping com.
pany now controlling the operation Of
approximately forty vessels leased
from the shipping board is bound by
an agreement entered into with the
British government in 1908 10 pursue
mo policy injurious to the interest Of
the British mercantile marine OF of
British trade" We're made here today
by Senator Jones Of Washington, au-
thor of the merchant marine act.
Parts of the text Of the alleged
agreement, entered in for n period Of
20 years. were read by Senator Jones
in an address before the annual con.
vention of the National Merchants Ma.
rine Association lin which the senator
made sweeping charges of attempts by
British interests. supported, he said,
by certain American interests, TO de-
stroy the American merchant marine.
The agreement, rs quoted by Senator
Jones. reserved the right Of ternina.
| ton by the British gvernment, in event
of the pursuance Of any policy inju-
rious to the British mercantile ma
rine, and left the final decision ia
case OF any difference as to this agree
ment or any dispute arising there
under To "the lord chancellor OF Great
| Britain Provision is made for con.
tinuance Of the agreement after the
20-year period. Subject to notice OF
.tt hon at.
AS result of this agreement, Sem
ator Jones said. the steamship lines
owned by the International Mercan'
tile Marine Company. as well as the
leased shipping board vessels now un-
der It's control. are actually operated
in the interest of the British govern
mcnt and British trade, and subject tc
the terms of the contract"
In support of his charges that
American interests were aiding I'm tn,
British campaign against American
shipping. Senator Jones declared an
agent Of the shipping board In New
York City, who said he was a former
cmployc Of the International Mercan
tile Marine Company, has opposed the
establishment of an American shipping
liny between New York and Englant
and admitted that his reason FOR doinl
so was that IL would "injurc the busi
ness of British lines from New York.
"Thc excerpts quoted from thi'
agreement of August 1903, Senator
Jones continued. do not leave th'
question open to doubt, as to where
the International Mercantile MARINE
Company stands as regards British In
tcrcsts. The question then naturally
arises where do British shipping In
tcrests center in the United Statesg
The answer Is that they center almos
entirely In the port Of New York
where their large terminal Investments
are located and from which most %
their tonnage on this side of the Al
lantic sails.
Consequently, whatever benefits thu
port Of New york benefits British
ship owners. A monopoly of expor
freight sent through the port of New
York spells greater profits for the.
British owners. 1t follows then tina
tho British shipping men are In nc
cord with the eastern trunk line rail
way officials. who seek TO cancel tn
present equalization Of export freigh
rates from the central freight associu
! ton territory to gulf and south Al
lantic ports
CONTINUED on Page Two)