New-York tribune., 1922-01-07
Ship Men W ant
$10O,OOO,O0O
u. S. Loan Fund
Seek Direct and Indirect
Subsidies in Plan Present.
ed at Washington to Aid
Our Merchant Marine
Ask Share of Customs
Would Have Government
Vessels Sold at World
Prices on Liberal Terms

direct and indirect subsidies by the
government to enable American yes
sels to meet foreign competition were
outlined to the Shipping Board to-day
hy the Merchant Marine Joint Commit
tee, composed OF shipbuildcrs, owners
and operators. AT meeting which
lasted several hours the leading men
ii. these three branches of the industry
gave their views in detail and offered
arguments in support In many re-
spects this was one of the most impor-
tant conferences held in recent months
between officials Of the government
and representatives OF the shipping
business.
The joint COMMITTEES suggested that
the board should dispose of its ships
a rapidly as possible at world market
prices, with liberal terms of payment,
and that interest "of not less than
per cent" should be charged on the
balance due.
Urges Big Loan Fund
recent recommendation was for
the establishment OF s100 900 900
fund ito make loans for the purpose
Of upbuilding the merchant marine, to
SHIP owners, builders and operators, At
not less than . per cent interest"
AS a measure of direct government
assistance the committee approved the
II ggestion made previously that the
higher costs on American ships should
be offset by paying to the owners one
tenth of the customs receipts and OF
the increased tonnage taxes, estimated
at about $4,000. 900. 1t recommended
that payment should be made or the
basis of q certain amount a gross ton q
year. with encouragement for fast pas
scnger ships through postal subven-
tons
The opinion was expressed by the
members of the committee that these
and other less important forms of aid
would enable American companies to
survive in the keen competition that now
exists, which they said was the strong
ct IN their experience.
Ship Men Unanimous
Tho report OF The joint committee
was subjected TO close inquiry BY the
Shipping Board commissioners who
took advantage of the opportunity to
learn all shades of opinions. The rec
concentrations made to-day were the
unanimous views of the committee. but
in addition the owners. builders and
operators filed individual reports Civ
lnG thelr suggestions more in detail
NO mention was made OF Section "a of
the Jones act which directs the Presi-
dent to abfoSate those parts Of com
mercial treaties restricting the right
o! the United States to impose prefer
entail duties and tonnage dues Presi-
dent Harding recently asked Congress
to repeal this feature of the law
The Shipping Board in making pub
llc the report, said that it was only
ono Of five that Will be received. and,
accordingly It does not have the Off
cial Endorsement of the commissioners.
1t represents the long idered pro
gram of tho steamship industry for
assistance from the Federal govern
mont. The board will study the sup-
gestions before making its report to
the President, who in turn will use the
latter as the basis for his message to
Congress about February /.
Presented by Raymond
II. II. Raymond. president of the
American Steamship Owners Associa-
tlon, presented the report of the Joint
committee Congress was represented
at the conference By Senator Wesley
l.. Jones. chairman of the Committee on
Commerce.; Representative William S.
Greene, chairman of the House Com
mittee on Merchant Marine and Fish
erles, and Representative George w
tdmonds. a member of the House Com
mittce. Officials OF the Shipping Board
and Emergency Fleet Corporation. as
we'll as numerous marine labor leaders
and shipping men. were present.
Additional recommendation made by