Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-03-10
OCEAN FREIGHT QUESTION
Americas Heaviest Tribute to For.
elgn Countries.
We MUST HAVE SHIPS OF Our own

Commissioner Chamberlain of the
Shipping Board Gives Facts and
Fiaures that Should Open the Eyes
of the People of the United States
to the Tremendous Importance OF
Ship Subsidy.
That the United States. In the past
100 years up to 1921, has enriched for
eign countries for their carrying OF
our foreign commerce. total OF S2S,-
2,949,112-because OF the compara-
lively. small ratio of tonnage carried
on American bottoms, was shown by
Commissioner George E. Chamberlain
of the United Shipping Board in an
address before the convention OF the
. American Merchant Marine associa-
ton in Washington a few days ago.
Commissioner Chamberlain who for
merIy was United States senator from
Oregon, and chairman Of the senate
committee on Military Affairs, and
who served two terms as governor OF
his state, urged strongly that the
American people build UP their nier-
e chant marine by giving what assis-
tance might be necessary - prevent
the payment of the large sums which
he indicated as the cost Of foreign
flag carrying of our commerce. He
said in part:
"The values of commodities export
ed by sea from the United States for
100 years, beginning with 1921, were
$S6,629, ,O76,S14 while the imports for
the same period amounted to $62, 2,174.-
1O2, ,566, making the total commerce In
foreign trade by sea $14S,SOS,l7s,SSO.
OF this total vessels under the Amer
lean flag carried only $35,6Sl ,SS2,sOs'
or about "a per cent, leaving rs per
cent. carried by alien bottoms. AS the
British merchant marine represents
about so per cent of tho total engaged
in this trade, 1t therefore is evident
: that their participation in our COM
merce would amount to about SO per
cent. of the total. = ~.
Huge Sum Sent Abroad.
1T is assumed that an amount
equivalent to % per cent. Of the total
value was paid out for freight. insur-
arce, banking &C., to foreign interests
all such payments going into foreign
hands. Of this basis, it is apparent
that while the American-owned ves-
7, sells, through their participation in our
commerce Of century, earned SS,sO7,-
s45,754, the foreign interests were en-
iriched to the amount of $2s,2s2, ,s4s,11S.
ut becomes more forceful when 1t
is considered that from 1921 to 1862
an average of so per cent. of our total
commerce was transported in Ameri-
can bottoms, while, since the Civil
war, our participation has declined
steadily TO an average for the period
of 10 per cent, and the outward flow
of American dollars has as steadily, in
creased"
Commissioner Chamberlain argued
that, apart from the question OF naval
strength, the possession by the United
States of only 22 per cent. Of the num-
Der of twelve or more knots an hour
vessels owned by Great Britain, gives
the better control of the seas, for the
reason that the faster merchantmen,
commercially and as auxiliary 10
navies, would bring such control to
Great Britain.
ut is discouraging," Commissioner
Chamberlain continued, ito those who
are attempting to build up and main
tain our merchant marine, when they
are confronted by the suggestion OF
many business men, that there is no
sense in attempting to maintain
fleet of American merchant SHIPS
when some foreign power operating
under foreign flags is willing to take
cargoes cheaper than American ships
can afford to handle them.
outbid Americans.
'Inmence cargoes of cereals were
Shipped from the United States to the
United Kingdom and other foreign
countries during the past year, and
foreign flag ships were undertaking
both the Shipping Board vessels and
those of independent American opera
tors, with the result that the greater
portion of these cargoes were carried
by foreign ships. The reason for this
differential is found in higher cost or
ship construction in American yards,
the higher cost of operation Of Ameri-
can ships due to the maintenance of a
higher standard of wages, government
aid given to foreign ships and other
causes"
Commissioner Chamberlain quoted
figures to show that in the past seven
years our commerce by sea was $47,-
626,67l, $40. of which American ves-
sells carried $12,129, ,83O,431, or about
&c per cent. and foreign vessels about
"a per cent. or $35,497,0 ,S79, Great
81 Britain carrying of this $19,S11, ,3S7, ,72O,
or AZ per cent. He drew from these
figures the further fact that the 20
per cent. for transportation and other
charges gave to foreign interests TO-
tai of $S,S74,26O,345, American inter-
ests getting $SOS2, ,4O7,6OS, Great Brit