The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-04-15
Merchan|
I'd
Be Retained
Vessels Will Be Operate
Either Under Private Super
vision or a. Government
Policy, Officers Decide.
To Be Offered for Sal
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
Washington. April 14.-Notice y
served on all concerned after a tw
hour conference at the White Houi
today, that the American merchaI
marine is 10 be maintained as z
ing concern. either under private 8
pervislon or under a straightout polio
Of government ownership and og
ernment operation.
The statement vas made at II
White House that President Hardi1
and members Of the shipping boaI
who met with him 70 consider u
shipping situation. were unanimous
their opinion that The chief end
be sought Is the establishment ar
maintenance Of the American me
chant marine
The statement from the confe
ence.' sid Chairman Lasker late
means simply this: American ar
foreign shipping interests may be a |
sured that so far as this generated
can see ahead. there viii be ad
quate American tonnage to carry an
carbo offered 70 any port of II
world
VIII BE Offered for Sale.
With the conviction that privaf|
operation has not yet been relega
ed 10 the list Of impossible thing
the conference determined upon OF
more attempt 10 turn over establish
ed routes 70 private oBership. AS Al
initial step. rhe 20 existing routeI
will be consolidated 70 insure moi
and then VIII be offered for sale q
going concerns. practically at au'I
tiOn. but with The stipulation that onlI
jusfifiables bids viii be conside
"a. 4 condition q al sales will
that the vessels concerned be keTI
on their present routes.
The consolidation j expected 20 Il
move one Of the principal handicap
under which they hve labored in deal
ings with government operators. Al
example was cited today in the cas-
of certain routes out Of New Yori
An operator running ships 10 Amste1
dam. il was pointed cut, might haxI
an outward cargo and the opportunitI
TO pick Up return freight at Rotte
dam. hut would be unable 10 avail
himself because = tie existenca II
separate route from New York 10 Ro1
terdam. The consolidation VIII conf
bine routes 10 adjacent foreign porfl
under a single head with the view 1
handling the same amount OF busI
ness with less ships.
May Reduce Routes.
Il is estimated that the number 1
routes might be reduced 70 IS by N
consolidation. and the number OF ope|
ators reduced IN proportion. Chad
man Lasker said advertisement Of til
sale would be ready in three weeks. /
Tt must be understood he said
''the board does not contemplate sci
ing only the cream routes and lead
ing the government stuck with url
productive lines. r sufficient routel
are not purchased 70 insure succesl
Of private operation. the government
VIII proceed = hold them all. elm
nate the agency system entirely anl
embark upon a program Of aggressivl
operation Itself
In this event. he declared. the boar
would be prepared TO go before cor
cress in December and ask for a sub
stantial appropriation for new cou|
Struction. the first . be undertakes|
by the hoard since the war. Any prol
gram of government operation. I'll
chairman explained. would incl0dj
maintenance # adequate surniu]
tonnage u convince competitors tha
the American merchant fleet was no|
intended 10 serve a temporary pur)
pose.
Cost Plus Must Go.
Regardless q the outcome Of ID
proposed sale e existing routes. ri
day Of the est plus fee operator 4
zone. it WaS announced officiafSl
Chairman IaSker characterized th3
system a. vicious declaring il ofl
fered no inspiration either 20 I'D
agents or - government employees
10 build Tor The future
Operators under the so-caned Mo-
a. contract. by which the agents fes
is assured regardless Ct financial cut
come. has been reduced from 50 10 Sel
and their privileges materially rel
s.ricted Mr.. Iasker said the reTnainl
ing operators MI be dropped II tha
takes over operation.
Survey of the entire feet VIII b
pushed m ee.ief that unsuitable toni
mage may he speedily eliminated and
in the meantime. ships not engages
in active service on Eovcrnmer
routes VII h sold without restricl
uous at world market prices 70 Amer
icsu buyers 4 any are discovered
Indiananolis Auto Firm