The New York herald., 1922-08-21
CUT in FARE LOOMS
ON ATLANTIC Liners
New Ships Make Competi-
tion Keen-Third Class
Service Has DWindled.
DULL WINTER AHEAD
Mauretania and Several
Other Vessels Will Quit
Routes for Tours.
RATE WAR Is POSSIBLE
Rumblings Heard as One Line
Gives First Class Privileges
for Second Glass Fare.
RATE WAR IS POSSIBLE

Competition among the steamship
lines coincident with the entry into
service of a dozen new and large ocean
fiiers is becoming SO keen that compe-
tent observers are asking whether the
next few months will not see either a
drastic cut in rates, designed to at
tract more passengers for all the lines,
or an outbreak of rate warfare, certain
to add power and prestige to the
stronger fighters and to eliminate the
weaker.
Ocean travellers whose experience
dates from before the war remember
that 1t was possible to obtain passage,
first class, on the finest ships for as low
as S125. and they cannot understand
why the rates to-day are more than
double this figure. The official ex-
PLANTATION is that as a result of immi-
grafton restriction legislation, first and
second cabin business must now earn
a substantial profit for the ship opera
tor. whereas before the war third class
was the main source OF revenue.
Would BE $135 Instead of 1925.
Passenger officials, of course, will not
be quoted on the question Of lower rates
or rate disturbances but some OF them
admit that the outlook is by no means
all it should be. A substantial increase
In travel would almost certainly follow
cut in rates, as is the case on the
south American passenger routes. There
the Shipping Board has lowered its fares
T. such an extent that to be brought
INTO line, ships of the same size and
speed in the European run would have
to make first class rate of $135, as
compared with the present rate of $225.
But whether the increased traffic would
make up the loss of revenue a passen-
ger is an open question.
That dull winter is anticipated is
shown by the large number of charters
made for cruises to the Mediterranean
and around the world. Among the MANY
large ships thus withdrawn from regu-
lar passenger service are the Mauretania.
Homeric, Adriatic, Rotterdam, ResoIute.
Samaria, Laconia, volendam and EN-
press of Scotland. In addition. many OF
the other large liners are scheduled to
lay up for repairs" during the sIackest
months, and it is conclusion fo~erone
that those remaining on the Atlantic
routes viii be far from crowded
Evidences of the increasing struggle
for passengers have been piling up lately.
They involve to a great extent the work.
ings OF the Atlantic Conference. an or
ganization under contractual agreement
OF the passenger lines in transatlantic.
including Mediterranean, business. The
conference classifes the vessels of the
member lines accordingto age, speed and
accommodations and assigns minimum
rates to the various classifcations.
Concessions Are Freauent.
Below the minimum. which is, for in
stance szfo Tor the Mauretania in the
summer season, a line cannot 60 with
out violation of the conference agree
ment. 1t is permissible, however. for
the operators of a ship to throw open
her entire accomm )d3tions If they wisb.
az the minimum rate. Concessions ~
tnls sort are becoming more frequent.
ana Wnen there Is no likelihood OF a
snip sailing full prospective passenger
can sometimes obtain an outside room
1or the minimum rate, or a room with
bath for the price OF an outside room
without. Here competition can be orenIy
INDUCED In.
RECORDS OF receipss and tickets .ssIea
oy tne conference member lines arc ".
CURED TO be filed with the conferences
secretary, who scrutinize them for yio-
Iation OF the minimum rate provisions
There have been charges made that q
line evaded this scrutiny by issuing !,
second class ticket with the verbal az.
surance that first class privileges and
accommodations would be extended ths
passenger. Proof If such an act wow,
almost certainly result I'm the disruptioc
Of the rate agreement
so far the storm clouds have been
shown. On the bright side. II Is pointad
out that the long continued functioninr.
with satisfaction In the main. Of the
conference has proven it's utility ard
fairness. and has proven that STEAMSHIP,
men are willing to get together rou,
table and settle n cir differences ami,
cably. and without recourse to methods
deagtratfe IN ba finn -,