The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-29
SHIPPING BOARD WILL
 NOT SACRIFICE SHIPS
(Continued From Page Oneo

Steamship Owners association, 1t is only fair to state that 1 know the unanimous views of the members of the shipping board to be such as would make it impossible for them ever to agree that the governments than world market prices unless the wouldbe purchasers guarantee to continue the routes.
 "The suggestion of the ship own CTS association that the ships be disposed of without any restrictions being placed on same cannot be con sdered. nor can there be any con- sideration given to the associations suggestion that all routes which the government cannot dispose of to pri- vate owners and which the board considers of national interest to con- tinue operating, be placed in the Hands of private operators in every case. the government paying a fee to the latter.
 The governments lip policy. un- doubtedly will be determined after a meeting of the full board with the President some time following his re- turn from the south.
 If the policy adopted be one of transition of the government ships into private hands, it will be based entirely upon consideration of def mite service to be rendered in the national interest by private owners The government is interested In the building up of private ownership only to the extent that the national inter est be served in definite way. and the board cannot respond to sugges- tons which would turn the present situation to private profit without a very real return in service to the people as whole"
 pOADn pDocDrDc ,~ ,rs
 PLAN TO EVOLVE POLICY
 WASHINGTON, March 28.-Despite the gloomy views expressed by ship owner and operator organizations as to the protest of turning the govern ment fleet to privs.e ownership, the shipping board will proceed with it's effort to evolve a policy which will accomplish this object
 Officials of the board made this clear tonight on conclusion of their conference with committee repre- senting the United States Ship Opera tors association which had declared
 it was unable to conceive of any scheme" which would facilitate the transfer.
 A committee of American ship builders Is to confer with members the latter may receive the views of those interested in the actual com struction of tonnage. Later. repre- sentative bankers may be called in to discuss the relation of the capi- tai interest.
 See No Buyers.
 The operators committee, like that of the ship owners which appeared before the board Monday, was em- phatic In It's opinion that no buyers could be found for government ton mage under present conditions. even though the board expressed willing ness to sell at less than tho world market price for similar tonnage. American shipping on an equality with foreign ca.apetitors," the as- sociatlon declared. and pending an economic adjustment of the worlds commerce. It will be an impossibility to advantageously sell tho boards tonnage"
 The organization recommended im- mediate scrapping of all inferior constructed or equipped ships ana tho sale. when possible. of the re- mainder exclusively to Americans. IL expressed willingness to cooperate In reducing the cost of government operation.
 Plan h Formulated.
 
 man of the boards policy committee, In a statement tonight announced the board had a plan which, 1t was hoped would enable 1t to offer ''iineS and ships to prospective purchasers OH terms and conditions that will pro- duce competitive bidding and on most routes will result in Transferring oi title to operating ships to private owners"
 "lt was anticipated" Mir, Lissnei said. that the managing agents would not be likely to give approval to plan that contemplated the transfer of title to the ship with ar obligation to continue the services for a. term of years on tho financial responsibility of the purchaser of the line, It is almost too much to ex- poct of human nature, especially III time of depression In a business, for one to give up proposition involv- ing practically no financial responsi' bility for the success or failure of the venture. for one involving tha: burden"
 The operators committee, Mir, Liss ner said, was given to understand by the members of the shipping boaru that it was tine desire and intention of the board to discontinue the pres ent system, the principal objection to which is perhaps that there is lii tic stimulus under it for ambit;ci. to become a ship owner instead of a arx,.