New-York tribune., 1922-08-22
I.asker in N. Y.
TOGO Over TT. S.
Lines Finances
Shlpring Board Chairman
Makes Personal Review;
Runner of Deal for Conn
pany lis Revived Again
Stands Firm On Rate War
Ships Will Not Be Driven
From South America, Re
gardless of Reductions

Rumors Of deal for the sale Of the
United States Lines were revived yes
terday when it was learned that A. d.
Lasker, chairman of the Shipping
Board, was in New York for personal
study Of the financial status of the
company Mr.. Lasker himself refused
to admit that there was anything un-
usual In his trip for this purpose.
"The books were here and came up
to go over them with Mr.. Rossbottom."
he said. T. Fl. Rossbottom is general
manager for the United States Lines.
Steamship men were interested in the
situation because of frequent rumors
in the past that several companies, not
ably the United American Lines, would
Lines in the event that Congress passed
the ship subsidy bill. The vessels
operated by the board through its or
ganization here have shown a profit on
voyage operations this season, exclud-
ing charges for depreciation. interest
and insurance.
Mr.. Lasker would not say why it was
necessary for him to come to New York
to discuss the financial condition OF
s
fact that periodic reports are made to
him as chairman of the board, and that
full information is available through
the accounting department. In some
quarters it was believed that his visit
was concerned also with the pending
contract between the United States
Lines and the North German Lloyd
Steamship Company, which has not yet
been signed.
Won't Discuss Extra Session
The attention of Mr.. Lasker was
called to the report from Washington
that he, as the personal emissary of
President Harding, had discussed with
Administration leaders the advisability
of calling special session of Congress
immediately after the November elec.
The President is capable of handling
his own Legislative plans," said the
chairman, after a moments hesitation.
Don't ask me to discuss that"
when will the board reach a de-
cision on the withdrawal of it's ships
rom the intercoastal trade" was an
ether question asked.
THAT depends upon further in
formation" he replied.
The board has asked the members
of the American Steamship Owners
<t5SoCidttUu III lHCeICOGStal SeIVtCe
for assurance that they will maintain
adequate sailings if the board agrees
TO call back it's steamers allocated to
the North Atlantic & Western Steam
ship Company.
Confers With Hartman
w. A. Hartman, chairman of the
hoard Of the United American Lines,
was In conference with Mr.. Lasker.
Mr.. Hartman could not be reached
after the meeting, but at his Offices
It was said the discussion had turned
On the intercoastal situation. The
matter of buying the United States
Lines was not mentioned, one official
declared.
In reply to question on the South
merican rate war between the Mum
son Line, operating Shipping Board
vessels, and the Lamport & Holt Line,
Mr.. Lasker said:
I'VE do not intend to be driven out
Of that trade, no matter how much
rates are cut or whether we have to
pay passengers to travel on our ships"
During the afternoon the chairman
met with E. j. Mccormack, of Moore &
Mccormack, and Kermit Roosevelt,
president of the Roosevelt Steamship
Company, both managing directors Of
the United States Lines. Nc further
information was divulged.