New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-01-20
Robinson Sees Advantage
in Bonus System to Pro-
mote Efficiency: Marvin
Asks Rail Cooperation
Subsidy Called Necessary
Johnson and Dunn Tell En-.
gincers Merchant Ships
Are Vital to the Nation

crnmcnt aid 10 maintain Ameri-
can shipping were topics stressed by
speakers yesterday before the Amerl-
can Society Of Civil Engineers at its
sixty ninth annual meeting, at the En-
Sinccring Societies Building, % West
Thirty-ninth Street
- Advantages Of the bonus system in
promoting efficiency on board ships
we're outlined by f. H. NJ Robinson.
acting president of the United Amer-
can Lines. Cooperation between the
railroads ard ocean lines was urged
by Winthrop l.. Marvin, vice president
Of the American Steamship Owners As
sociation, aud samuel O. Dunn, editor
Of "ihc Railway Age the economic
value Of an ocean feet and domestic
shlpbnlding industry was rccitcd by
Emory r. Johnson. dean of the Whar-
ton School Of Finance and Commerce
of the University of Pennsylvania.
Calls for Economics
Mr.. Robinson declared the shipping
~ the world now amounts to approx
'nstely Co,00O.oOo gross tons, Of which
shout 2o0oo,oo0 is excess under pres
cnt conditions. The mobility OF yes
scls. he said had had disastrous
effect upon ali trade routes. lie said
revival might DC delayed several
years. Meanwhile. in his opinion, there
was need for government assistance
and further operating economies.
Mr. Marvin suggested coordination
of Pail and water transportation which
would make it undesirable for tho rail
oads TO enter into agreements with
foreign steamship lines. He adyo-
Gated protection for shipping, such ~
that tried successfully in the carly
years Of the country's history. and
low extended % manufacturing and
agriculture.
An adequate merchant marine wa 5
essential to national safety, Mr.. John
son declared. He told of the congcs-
ton in commerce which followed the
withdrawal of foreign vessels during
the war, and also cited the need of
ships as auxiliary cruisers, transports
and aids to the navy during hostiities
The shipbuilding industry must be
maintained, Mr. johnson declared. and
government aid extended.
View Of Rail Export
The address Of Mr.. Dunn was re-
ceived with unusual interest by the
audience because of the competition
between the coestwise ship lines and
he railroads for transcontinental bust
ness. He said the rail systems did not
object to the movement of freight BY
the most economical route, but that
here should be some coordination be-
rween ocean and land routes. Ex-
emption of American vessels from
lanai tolls at Panama, he said, would
merely transfer from the steamship
ines to the general taxpayers the up
keep of the canal
He declared that The railroads ia
cred development of inland water
rays by the government, as these aid
n the distribution of freight in times
OF heavy business without hurting THO
rail carriers.
The subject of railroad transporta-
ton from the viewpoint OF the railroad
executives, railroad labor and owners
OF railway securities was discussed at
the afteroon session.
Howard Elliott, chairman of the
Northern Pacific Railway Company. in
tory and development ot the railroads
Of the country, and presented large
number OF important statistical tables.
Sums Up Rail Situation
In summing up the railroad situation
Railroads are common carriers of
people and property; they are not com
mon carriers Of all the economic
troubles OF .he country These cannot
be cured by reducing rates. BY ruin
ing the railroads and perhaps forcing
government ownership, to which this
country is opposed. Give brains. cour-
age aud management chance once
more.
Declare tenyear holiday in the
coaselcss investigation of the trans
rortation question and let the undivd-
ed attention and energy of owners
managers and employees be devoted
to maintaining. operating and perfect
ing the engine of civilization-the Won
cerful railroad system of the United
States"
William n. Doak, vice president of
the brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
in speaking for railroad labor declared
ne did not believe government owner
ship and operation of railroads could
be made successful at THE time.
Mr. Doak said the proper way to
settle the present differences between
the railroad employers and employees
was by means of a round table con-
ference. He said that in other in
dustries. there was always an i'm
mediate effort to have the differences
adjusted by men experienced in the
particular industry. but in the case of
railroads the public always steps in
and wants the trouble adjusted by men
who have no experience in the matters
they are called to pass upon.
Discussing the Labor Board. Mr.
Doak stated that in his opinion a tri-
partite court never would succeed in
settling labor troubles. He said the
reason lay in the fact that one third
of the court was ignorant of the con-
ditions in the industry.
Security Holder Hopeful
Colonel +. A. Molitor. director of
the National Association of Owners of |
Railroad Securities, after reviewing
railroad conditions generally from the |
standpoint of the security owner con- |
Guided by stating that he believed a !
better time was coming, and that in
vestors need not fear because they had !
portation lines.
Mr.. Elliott, in speaking of the recent
reduction in rates upon agricultural
products, said:
THE railroads believe that agri-
culture is one Of the fundamental in
nustries IN this country and that they
should help the existing situation, not
because they can afford to do it out of
heir present returns, but just on the
ground of helping out"
ne SAID the rates were higher than {
before the war, "but they were then
ar too low for safety-and we are COM