New-York tribune., 1922-12-25
Board Has Plan to Concert
u. S. Steamers to MOtOrShips
Committee of Experts Working Out Standardization
of Equipment and Machinery; Sales Price To BE
Reduced to Make Change Profitable for Owners
By David S. Kennedy

sion purposes AZ the nominal price OF
Is 70 $40 a ton. Even this is not sum
elent 70 accomplish the purpose, 50 the
board has started upon the next step
Of reducing the cost Of installing
DieEels.
A staff Of technical experts is nov
making a thorough study OF the vari-
Gus types Of ships ranging In size from
600 10 $500 dcadweight tons, taking
into consideration propellers, shafts
deslcnn and other characteristics.
Standard plans will be drawn up COW
ering the conversion OF each type 70
the different kinds Of internal com
bustion engines. These will be made
available to al American ship owners
saving the heavy initial cost OF having
the work undertaken individually by
naval architects. Al present each
architect makes separate specifications,
with the result that the cost OF manu-
featuring machinery is greatly IN
creased. II is the belief Of the board
that standard designs will enable
great decrease in the cost Of making
equipment on quantity basis.
Manufacturers to Aid
When the Shipping Board experts
have completed their task the informa-
tlor will be laid before shipbuilding
ofaciais and marine equipment manu-
faoturers, who will determine the most
practicable forms. This study will be
directed along two lines--frst, for con
version from steam 20 internal eombus-
ton engines only, and, second, includ-
ing electric auxiliary machinery also.
.~ftff - AomWaA the
last detail and ship owners Will have
several standard specifications from
which 70 choose.
II Ia probable that in this task the
Shipping Board committee will CO
operate with the committee on stand
ardization OF marine materials and
equipment appointed By Secretary
Hoover. The committee would have
the added prestige OF working under
the general supervision Of the Depart
ment Of Commerce and would have
quicker access TO the work already
accomplished by the department IN
other directions.
Use Of Loan Fund
The plan has the hearty cooperation
Of ship owners, builders and operators
who see IN the movement an oppor-
tunity 70 sail their vessels under the
American flag on more equal terms
with their foreign competitors, aside
from the yet intangible benefits prom
ised in the ship subsidy bill.
The Shipping Board might face
some criticism in Congress for selling
lis ships al S. 20 SO q ton. but could
point TO the alternative Of selling
them 70 foreigners or allowing them TO
rot in American ports. The plan offers
a means Of aiding the merchant marine
without drain upon the public
treasury.
One haudicap at the moment is the
fact that under the terms Of the Jones
act the board is not permitted 20
advance any part Of the sl25,0o0,000
construction loan fund for the con-
version Of ships 20 more economical
types OF motive power Il can lend
money only for new construction. Tne
pending subsidy bill contains q sec
ton correcting this oversight. II by
chance this measure should be de-
feated, II Is understood the board will
offer a separate bill for the purpose.