The Connecticut labor news., 1922-04-07

In view of the low price at which it IS proposed to dispose of Americas en- ormous merchant fleet, what MT. Davis had to say concerning the character and quality of the ships to be sold is of great interest.
 "I am aWare," he said, that there has been much propaganda and misrep- resentatior a sto the character and quail ity of our ships. However, the fact that our war-built vessels have received the 100 Al classification from Lloyd's Register of Shipping proves that our work is fully up to the standards of the British yards. 1 cite British yards spe- officially teeause their workmanship has ard. Lloyd's is British organization, and it may be fairly inferred that they would net give our vessels any higher rating than is justified"
 In this connection the following House dialogue IS interesting:
 MT. Oliver is it not a fact that the present chairman of the board, since he took charge, in every public utterance has depreciated the value of these ships? i?
 MT. Hardy of Texas. The present chairman of the board in every utter ance to the public has depreciated the value of these ships, and says there Is no market for them. He has said so time and again.
 MT. Oliver. And by that he depre- ciates them the more.
 MT. Clarke of New York. Do you think the chairman of the Shipping
 Board told the truth and stated the facts fairly?
 MT. Hardy of Texas. That there was no market now?
 MT. Clarke of New York. Yes.
 MT. Hardy of Texas. Yes; and so think we all know that if these ships are put upon the market now it means they are to throw them away.
 Mir London A trustee would not be permitted by court to sell the ships on a flat market.
 MT. Hardy of Texas If trustee made a sale and you would show these conditions to the court, the could would set aside the sale. It is being done as if the Government IS a pauper and has to save something from the wreck and ruin.
 Congressman Hardy of Texas contin- ued the attack on the subsidy bill and to the applause of the House declared that the measure was a steal.
 Tt IS up to this Administration said Mir. Hardy, it is up to Congress, it is up to the ingenuity of American states manship to show that they have some ability to handle difficult question. In the Jones Act of 1920 we made provi- lines for our commerce to enter into If sion that where there were desirable we could not get private capital to buy the ships we would try to charter the ships to run them on that line, and If we could not charter them to private capital, then the Government would run them itself. Now, it may be at loss, at a sacrifice. But, in my opinion, if the policy of the Jones Act is followed out in that respect we will start the lines where there will be the greatest promise of success,a and as we get line in successful operation private capital will come and ask for the ships, and you will sell the ships as you get the oppor- tunity to sell them at fair value; and this great property belonging to the United States, instead of being thrown away will result in opening Up the com merce of the United States and result III the development of the merchant marine of the United States l want our peo- pie to take an interest in 1t, to wake from their slurnber, and 1 want to let the public know that this thing IS about to be perpetuated. that this steal is about to be put through"