The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-12
SHIP BOARD MUST CARRY ON

In commenting on the recommendations
of the association of ship operators as to
the disposal of the merchant fleet the At
lanta Constitution expresses strong dsap-
proval and declares: "Ths means, of course,
recommendation that the three and
half billion dollars invested in a government
owned merchant marine be charged off the
books; the finer ships, as for instance the
Leviathan, upon which an eight million dol
lar remodeling contract is now being exc
cuted, turned over to these same ship own
ers at any volunteer consideration gratui-
tously offered; no guarantee that the pres
ent operators of the American lines would
continue the routes upon which the govern
ment ships are now being operated, and no
program of definite service in the national
interest" 1t appears that the operators
display very selfish concern in the entire
situation. and surely must themselves be
aware that no body Of well-disposed public
officials could accept their suggestions.
The operators had an opportunity to outline
constructive program; they have it yet,
but their vision has fallen short of their
opportunity.
After approving Chairman Lasker's re-
ply that the Omitted States will not sell any
boats below cost unless the present routes
are maintained and without the peoples
interests being safeguarded by agreements
with private owners" the Constitution con-
tinues: "The indirect mandate of congress,
after weeks of consideration of plan sug-
gested by the government, and earnestly
urged by the president, is unmistakable and
leaves it up to the shipping board, squarely
and without equivocation, to continue the
government ownership and operation Of it's
own merchant marine without restriction as
to its costs. That is to say the board was
told, not in so many words-except as spo-
ken in debate-but by deduction and by the
refusal to amend or revise the laws gov
erning ship operations, to continue to build
up its merchant marine service in the in
terest of the American people, and the su-
premacy of the flag on the seas. Hence
under that mandate there is no other alter
native"
This may be new thought to those sena-
tors who Joined in the filibuster against the
ship subsidy measure, arguing that they
were trying to save the nation money They
have not saved the nation any money, but
board to continue to spend an indefinite sum
in carrying out the stipulations and intent
of the original merchant marine measure
which the subsidy measure was designed in
part to supplement, and under authority OF
which the shipping board must continue to
operate. In regard to the subsidy measure
the Constitution Declares "This proposal
congress rejected, and in rejecting it &C
centuated the only counter proposal that
the government continue the operating pro-
gram under the shipping board as originally
provided. Therefore, any suggestion now,
and until the matter can again go before
congress, that the board take any radical
steps not provided in the spirit and the
letter Of the existing law, is out of the ques-
ton. In the meantime the responsibility is
up to the United States Shipping Board to
carry on its merchant marine service to the
very best Of it's ability, and to let the tax
payers meet the deficits as they have been
doing"
The Constitution states the situation well
and draws sound conclusions as TO the duty
Of the board to continue its administration
of the fleet in accordance with its best
judgment until such time as congress shall
see fit to give further instructions or to for
mulate some other policy regarding the
fleet. Those who joined in the flibus.er
are the ones who are responsible for this
continued operation Of the fleet at a cost
greater than contemplated in the subsidy.
The fleet may not, under the law, be sac
rificed.