Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-01
ASKS CONGRESS
Continues from Page Onel

ana passenger l1IlIIS ulSu uuTllts
the year led to conclusion by the
board that there has been n general
sterilization in the rates. fares and
charges of common carriers by water
In interstate commerce.
Inauguration last June of a system
for training inexperienced American
born boys who seek employment ON
ships had assisted tremendously in
the boards policy Of Americaniza-
ton" of crews on government YES
sells. the report declared. During the
year 3S3 officers and S4,227 unlicens-
ed men were placed on American
vessels and of these totals. the board
points out, 11.o percent were Amer
lean citizens. This. however, was Il
decrease in total placements of H.
29o men from the year 1928. and also
a decrease of 80 percent in the pei
centage of Americans employed. Tile
reduction was attributed to the lower
average number OF American vessels
in active service during the year.
and the decline in the percentage. of
competent Americans available for
sea service was said to have been
Que principally To improved economic
conditions ashore.
Another important factor. the
report continued, was the lack OF I
suitable rating in the vessels crews
which could lie filed with inexper-
fenced young Americans to eventual
~ replace those leaving the sea for
various reasons.
1.-THE door has been opened 10
American boys who have no sea
training by substituting two Amer
, Unborn deck boys for one ordinary
seamen at "a nominal wage and with
out material increase in operating
cost. No report of actual results in
available for the fiscal year, but 1t
can be said that il will assist he-
mendously in the boards policy Of
AmericanizatiCn.'
In a discussion of Section rs of the
Merchant Marine Act. designed to
afford preferential railroad rates ON
cargoes to be shipped in American
vessels. but which was suspended,
the Board asserted that application
of the section would have given
American ships the advantage of the
patronage OF exporters and importers
In preference to their patronage Of
foreign tonnage.
The Boards list Of recommended
tions follow in full:
Qualification OF the navigation
laws should be pushed TO an early
conclusion and the necessary steps
taken TO simplify them and remove
any conflict.
THE United States should pay a
Naval Reserve retainer to American
citizens during such times as they
are serving on board American ships
engaged i'll foreign trade. such re-
tainer TO be conditioned upon their
being willing to serve in the naval
forces IN time Of war.
All earnings from American ship
ping III foreign trade and all profits
derived from the sale Of American
vessels should be exempt from taxa
ton. provided the amount of tax e1-
empted is expended in new vessels
constructed in American shipyards
"All transportation Of an official
nature which is paid for by the gov
eminent. whether of property or per-
son. should be done by American
vessels. unless the exigencies Of the
public service clearly require other
wise. The military departments es-
pecially should secure as much as
possible OF their transportation from
the commercial marine. and they
should be authorized to contract for
a period up to 10 years for such
transportation. in order that private
owners might embark upon the con-
struction Of vessels especially for
such transportation.
TN the carriage Of mails the APP
preparation Subcommittee having 20
do with the Post Office Department
should hear representatives OF the
Navy Department and Of the United
States Shipping Board, and should
make appropriations with view to
covering subventions sufficient 20
create and to maintain In a few prin-
cipal lines the uneconomic but highly
desirable type Of fast passenger car
rying vessels.
"a joint transportation body COM
posed OF representatives Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission and the
United States shipping Board should
be authorized to coordinate all ac-
tivities involving through transpor-
tation by both rail and water. Pref
erential arrangements and contracts
between American railroads and for
eign lines should be prohibited by
law.
Conferences and agreements be-
tween carriers themselves and be-
tween carriers and shippers which
look TO the stabilize ton Of rates and
the provision Of an improved and
adequate service should be encour.
aged.
"a strong reanirmation OF policy
Should be made by the Congress 20
the effect that the United States -
determined. either pu1.sl,~lor pri-
yateiy. to maintain permanently q