Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-01-23
BOARD
TANGLE SLOWLY
GTRAIGHTENED
Problems Coming With Chang
ed Conditions Tackled
Bravely.

WASHINGTON, Jan. o3-The re-
organized United States shipping Board
ANA Fleet Corporation is slowly but
surely emerging from the tau-le Of diff
cul-ics which economic and other CON
ditions forced on ir and is today pro-
crossing 20 the goal of an efficient d.
rectoraje for an American merchant ma
rine according TO J. Barstow SmuI, vice
president in charge Of ALLEGATION AMI
charters of the board.
The difficulties which Mr. Small has
in mind, he stated. concern chartering Ct
boats q depression in shipping worse
than any before and a complicated sys-
TEN of allocadng ana operation Of
boats. Ia tie hands of private agencies
large numbers of shipyPiuE board yes
sells have been tied mp or operated with
difficulty owing TO unprecedented con
ditonS.
LOSSES on TRIPS
S5,00O TO $4,000.
Concerning the Withdrawal and auoca-
ton of these vessels, Smuu stated that
on July y there were seveuty-tive active
managing agents Of ri effect corporation
operating GA steel ships. OF this number
twelve agents were tramp OPERATORS
with Il total of 12J vesse's in service,
Losses on all these vessels were from So
eco to $4,000 per round trip 10 Europe,
totalling 81 250. 90 in June.
"On ian. /, 1922, there were only
forty-thres active agents handling 521
ships" Smul said. All tramp steamers
have been Withdrawn. and the losses -.
October. the last month for which 81
have a report. have been cut 10 SEC, co.
and are still being diminished"
SEQ STEEL CARGO BOATS
WITHDRAWN FROM SERVICE.
present. Smuu said. approximately J2b
steel cargo boats have been withdrawn
from service. and about 173 have been al
located thus leaving about 3j3 steel
cargo and passenger vessels still tied up.
These figures are only approximate, 3
later reports are expected on them.
These boats. it is hoped, Will be char
tered eventually on more advantageous
terms for the Government than has been
the case under the old charter system.
This system is being supplaated by the
bare-boat and time charter as fast as
conditions permit 4 general reOrgani-
zation of the chartering machinery has
gradually taken place. it is said, with
a view to putting this end Of the work
on business basis.
BARE-BOAT CHARTER
PLAN HANDICAPPED.
The bare boat charter plan has been
handicapped by the hard economic con-
ditious. hut ut present about twenty
three vessels are operated on this basis,
turning in approximately $4,000 a month
With tn. lo0ked-for improved conditions,
it is stated many other boats are ex-
pected 10 be chartered in this way.
Regarding drawbacks encountered ~
charterinE. SmuH pointed ont that some
time ago the board decided that it was
unfair 10 privately tonnage to
charter board vessels ON a bare boat bass
To comrete with established coastwiSe
lines This is due TO the fact that the
private owner has TO charge higher rates
owing to his greater overhead costs Of o.,
Grafton tlfln the Government feet. -
Small cited the Jones act, which -
SAYS. requires Government vessels -
avoid iujurinS private lines by charter
ing along lines which would compete with
private vessels
lie pointed out that the, Jones act
must he the guiding rule for all ageu-
ci1s in building up the American ship
ping industry ana Indicated that It Is
along its intended lines the board is noS
working to u solution of its problems
PRINCE RETIREs
.HOEOLTLT. II. H., Ian. 21-Prlnce
Jonah KUhio Kal1niaunaie. for twenty
years d-lcaate to Congress from IIa~s,i
ana one Of the most picturesque fgu-
at the uati9ns capitol. has definitely
amt pOcgd his retirement from public
life at the close of his present term Of
office in 1922.