New-York tribune., 1922-03-05
Ship Men Call
/ On Nation to
| Back Program
....;re Association Members
~, vi.;t Harding to Promise
support of His Plan to
lrerease Fleet Activity
sr;.ain Still Rules the Sea
p,..ident Hopes N Narrow
/ proyincialism Will Not
Endangcr Legislation

En0a II q '0'AOAA
- r.x Trsbane's Washington Bureau
/ wasHINGTON, March 4.-Assurance
g.. .hs steamship men of the country
-.,oyt the Administration in its ma
IN. program was conveyed to Presi-
L ~. p.rding to-day by the members
~. National Merchant Marine Asso-
/ s,.t;on. Who called at the White House
| .,,sr the adjournment Of the annual
/ ...,.rtion. Senator Joseph E. Rams
81, ~ Louisiana, Democrat, president
| :, -. association, presented to Prcsi-
ant Harding a set of resolutions call
I =. mon the country to aid the plan
,or an adequate merchant marine.
c.na.or Ransdell told the President
Mat confederation of the shipping bill
,,,d be non-psrtisan and that he
~ Find many Democrats in the ranks
Il IFS. supporters. About seventy-five
m.mhers OF the association called at
| The White House.
''s sIt is pleasing to know that so in
suental body has given its approval
:. the recommendations for govern
ment aid to shipping said President
Harding, "and also that it will use
It's influence for the support of the pro-
nosed legislation. These recommcnda-
t;ons have been evolved after long
I study. and while the country in the
/ mast has evinced no great desire for
sbippinr we are differently situated
Now. We have the ambition to become
4 shipping nation. 1t is my hope that
| narrow provincialism or territorial de-
l sires will not prevail to degree where
the success of this legislation is en-
dangered."
Chamberlain Makes Address
| The visit Of the shipping men to the
| White House followed the concluding
| session of the association, which was
marked By a spirited address from Com
| missioner George z. Chamberlain, who
/ asserted that other maritime nations in
/ the past have taken measures for the
| upbuilding of their fleets without re-
| gard to the desires and welfare of the
United States, and that the time has
now come for this country to follow a
similar course.
Mr. Chamberlain declared the arms
conference has left Great Britain as
much ruler of the seas as before, be-
cause of the dominance OF her merchant
feet. This country has no desire to
dominate, but it is determined to have
/ an adequate feet for the needs OF peace
or war, he declared. Any American ad-
vocating policy of abandonment Of
the sea is disloyal to the country, he
said.
The commissioner estimated that in
the last century American shippers and
! importers have paid to foreign steam
ship lines total Of $28,292, 100000 for
ireights, insurance and banking accom-
modations in foreign trade, while
American steamship lines obtained
only sS,907 100000 He said that the
time has come to stop this steady flow
OF American money to foreign pockets.
In the last seven years, said Mr.. Cham
berlaip, the country has paid SS,s74.-
100000 to alien ship lines, or enough
to pay off the debt OF the Allies to the
United States.
Speaking Of the solution of the ship
ping program, Mr.. Cham berlain said:
THE proposition resolves itself to a
can merchant marine with aid or the
Plea for Tramp Steamer
Charles H. Potter, of New York, presi-
dent OF the United States Ship Opera
tors Association, made & plea for the
development of tramp steamer services
along the regular lines. He pointed
OUT that the greatness of the British
merchant marine has been due in a
farge part to the tramp ships, consti-
kuting so cer cent of the entire fleet
In urging the Shipping Board and the
Administration to consider this plan,
ne made the following recommended
|tions:
"A. That the board should at once
promote the development of tramp op-
Grating organizations in addition to it's
berth operators.
"B. That laid-up ships should be as
signed to active and inactive operators
rather than to the government to carry
OIL this function.
"C. That the board should pay it's
managing agents husbandine fee
per month per ship.
u. mat the goVerrmcut-o owned car
ISTo Meet, fit for economical operation,
Should be sold as soon as possible at
ia 10" price per deadweight ton, to-
3gether with liberal terms and con-
5ditions.,
Emil P. Albrecht, president of the
Bourse, spoke in support
(ol the Administration shipping plan.
IEoWard A. Filene. of Boston, urged
re development of passenger steam
lsh'p hnes at reasonable rates which
~ ou'o attract travellers to foreign
The resolutions adopted by the asso-
|ciation, in addition TO giving general
support for the Administrator ship
|Plng bl'i, disapproved of any effort to
nave on'pping Board merchant vessels
repslred or reconditioned in navy
|ysros, approved of the efforts OF the
ooaro to secure fair treatment of
american vessels in the Egyptian cot
son case and Endorsed the proposition
|sSa hAval reserve consisting of mcr-
senator Ransdell was reelected pres-
'aent OF the National Merchant Marine
were: f-'eN'S c'eeeeo
a; +. Alexander, of Tacoma. Wash. :.
imam Butteyworth. Illinois: T. =
Louisiana; J. Parker Kir-
I'M New York: Charles Piez, Illinois.
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