New-York tribune., 1922-10-08
Held to Spell Disaster
for Fast American Yes.
sells if Alien Ships
Should Get Exemption
Evasion by Foreign
Registry Expected
Nothing to Prevent Then,
From Stocking Up Out
side Three-Mile Limit

The ruling of Attorney General
Daugherty that prohibition must be en-
forced on American vessels imposes
another handicap on United States
shipping, even when foreign steamships
are under the same restrictions within
the three-mile limit, according to
opinions expressed by shipowners yes
terday. 1t was said that if the foreign
companies succeed in the effort to have
their ships exempted the result will
be nothing less than a disaster to fast
passenger liners under the American
4 flag.
The decision Of the Attorney Cen
eral, though it was expected, created
feeling Of dismay among American
steamship officials. 1t was pointed out
that United States vessels will neces-
| sarily be dry in all parts of the world.
while competing alien ships will have
no restrictions in bidding for passenger
traffic.
/! H. H. Raymond, president of the
American Steamship Owners Associa-
| tion, issued statement saying that the
| prohibition order, even as it stands.
imposes great disadvantage upon
| American vessels. He said that United
States liners now carry passengers be-
| tween foreign ports in South America.
the Orient and elsewhere, and that they
will not be able totcompete with foreign
liners which are not affected by the
law in this country.
Diversion of Business Feared
| Pessimism among American officials
was mitigated a little by the fact that
the prohibition decision, for the pres
ent at least, is to apply to foreign
ships in port here. 1t is believed that
if this stands before the Supreme Court
| the big foreign liners will find it diff
| ficult to arrange for liquor supplies on
the outward voyage, though they will
be able to stock up for the return
trip.
One result of the order which is
| foreseen by local officials is marked
/ Development of Montreal, Quebec and
halifax as ports of cmbarkation for
Europe. There is not much belief that
, such steamers as the Olympic, Beren-
garia and Majestic will abandon New
York for the Canadian ports, but prob
ably will, during the tourist season,
call at Halifax for liquor supplies.
These cities also will attract many
travellers who desire to depart directly
upon vessels which are beyond the pale
of prohibition.
The Volstead act will have consider
| able effect on the immigration traffic
on American vessels, one official de-
clared. He pointed out that under the
law of Italy, which furnishes most of
the incoming aliens, wine must be
served with meals. United States ships
will not be able to comply with this
rule.
Another factor which is feared by
American companies is that there will
be wide resentment against United
| States liners which will make it still
more difficult to compete in all traffic
routes.
Winter Cruising Affected
Effect of she new ruling upon win
ter cruises on American liners is
awaited with some apprehension here.
! During the off-season many of the fin
est passenger ships are chartered to
vessels in this list are the George
Washington, of the United States
Lines; the Resolute, Of the United
American Lines, and other fast ships.
If they are not allowed to sell liquors
on journeys lasting several months it
is anticipated that there will be sud
den switch to foreign vessels in ssimi
lar voyages.
Mr.. Raymond yesterday gave cut the
following statement in behalf of the
American Steamship Owners Associa
ton:
"This decision of the Attorney Cen
eral. even with its inclusion of foreign
ships entering our waters, adds fur
ther serious handicap to American
passenger steamers in the foreign
trade. American steamers operating to
South America, to the Orient and else
where carry passengers between for
eipn ports, but they will be unable to
serve LIQUORS, while foreign vessels
will be free to do as they please. AS
a result the merchants of foreign coun-
tries, with whom we must buiid up our
foreign trade if we are TO nave any
will travel on the ships OF our com
petitors, to our growing dlsaoVantage.
"To many of these people ngnt
wines are as food, and as tney VIII not
be able to obtain wines on board Amerl
can ships or to bring their wines VIII
them it is inevitable that they VIII
forego patronizing American steamers
when foreign ships are available. nhls
is sure to have detrimental erect
upon the development OF foreign trade
and thus upon American cargo-carry
ing steamers. of 49,,
HMoreover, the enforcement Oh pro
hibition along the line ADVISED oy the
Attorney General will doubtless arouse
widespread resentment against Amerl-
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