New-York tribune., 1922-12-25

The predomInanee Of foreign snip
ping In the export commerce OF the eoun-
try IA illustrated IN the records Of the
grain charter market for the month
ended November 10. showing l0z alien
and no United states vessels partiei-
patlng IN that trafhe, according to
statement BY John L. Bogert. mem
Der Of the Society Of Naval Architects
and Marine Engineers, 70 Senator
David I. Walsh, Of Massachusetts.
American ships cannot be expected 70
succeed IN this or other transoceanie
routes without government assistance
Mr.. BoRert says. His analysis OF the
0raln traffic was prepared ~ an an
aver 10 the following admission from
Senator Walsh that he was undecided
IN voting on the subsidy bill:
"T find a very strong sentiment In
Congress for the development OF
strong and efficient merchant marine,
but there seems 10 be great deal OF
opposition 70 the subsidy principle.
frankly admit that that phase Of the
subject Is giving me much trouble
You may be assured, however, that this
whole measure Is being given ny most
careful consideration"
Referring TO information on tho
grain charter market for November, rs
given In "Ths Marine Newss,' Mr.. Bo-
CERT saysi
American Ships Idle
These data relate 10 ioi steamers and
one motorship, 70 all shipping ports IN
North America, and 70 the size and nn-
tionAllty Of each Of the ships. You Will
note that, though these grain. shipments
were made By ships flying the flags OF
ten different nations you look IN vain
for the name Of any United States yes
sci. Forty-slx British steamers par
tielpated. thirteen Italian, eleven Nor
wegian, ten japanese and nine Swedish
This country produces more grain than
any other country In the world but
sven when we have nearly 900 fine
steel cargo ships idly swinging at their
anc hors, we get not one single cargo
out Of i02. Is II not deplorable1
"This Is a condition. not a theory.
You have recently heard some Sena-
tors in Congress advocating govern
ment operated ships. Well, the Ship
ping Board has the ships, and no one
questions It's power 20 charter them
az any price Il sees IT. II half Of
/ these cargoes had been carried IN
United States vessels about 1000 ma
rine engineers and other seafarers
would have been given a chance 70
earn a living. The taxpayer is also in
terested. A ship deteriorates az anchor
more rapidly even than when in sery-
ice. These idle ships are rolling up a
huge yearly deficit. II we take the
Shipping Board figure Of $50 d. ".
ton value for 100000 d. ". tons Of
ships, even negleeting the cost Of TAX
ing care Of this large fleet, there is
certainly a loss Of from 10 20 u per
cent every idle year TO cover Interest
and depreciation.
Stop Government Waste
"Ten million tons az $50 a ton comes
10 a book value Of. s300,000,O0O. Ten
per cent Of that is $4,000 900. Which
is better, offer inducements 20 private
capital % take these ships on the gov
ernment's hands and thereby furnish
work for some thousands Of men from
whose ranks must be recruited the op-
Grating force Of any mercantile marine
we ever hope 20 have or continue 20
waste In interest and depreciation az
leabL soOtVWNfVoV gtoA bNaAho AfhNNl
costs and Shipping Board bureau eostsl
THE farmer has one great advan-
tage over the shipping mamie never
needs 10 starv6. He can always raise
enough food 20 feed himself and fam
lily. The cost Of fertilizer seed and
transportation may make farming AS a
business improbable; nevertheless he
and his can and do live of tho land
when business has gone 20 the dogs.
Farmers Inconsistent
THE shipping man is in much
worse plight. When ships sre put out
OF commission 'Othello's occupations
gone He simply can walk the streets
looking for some other kind Of work.
/ know you are not Of those who are
frightened by names. To the farmer
Il Is all right for the government 10
s1end millions on irrigation dams and
good roads. That isn't a subsidy 70
the farmer. Oh. mol Also II Is no
more than right that the railroads
should be compelled to carry farm
produce at specially low rates, even II
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