Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-03
A STORM OF PROTEST.

A storm of protest against the en-
forcement of that provision, known
as section % Of the Merchant Ma
rine Act. Is arising in several quar-
tiers. This provision of the law is to
become operative on May 20. It
gives a preferential rail freight rate
10 commodities to be shipped abroad
iE American vessels. The Shipping
Board having announced that it had
vessels adequate for the needs of
such shipments nothing remained for
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. though regarding the probable
effect of the law unfavorably, but to
put it in force.
from many of the exporters. The
automobile shippers have had a
hearing and been assured that ade-
quate ships will be provided, yet APP
pear somewhat skeptical.
Flour shippers strenuously object
and declare it will serve to restrict
the American -four trade in foreign
countries at a time when Congress is
discussing ways and means to aid
agriculture, that "diverting freight
TO American steamers by methods
detrimental to the interests OF our
largest exporters is not the way to
build up the American Merchant Ma
rine." that this law will jeopardize a
yearly -four export trade amounting
to eighty eight millions.
A statement by the Washburn-
Crosby company compares the results
expected:
1.-The United States Shipping
Board exempts wheat from the terms
Of Section 90 and the Interstate Com
merco Commission announces that
all -four exported in foreign vessels
after May goth must pay a much
higher freight rate to the seaboard
than wheat going to the same mar
kets Assuming that present ocean
freight rates are in effect on May
10th the rate on wheat from Chicago
TO Liverpool will remain at 3Sc. per
Cwt. but the rate on flour will ad-
vance from 45c,. tho present rate. to
SIC. per cwt. when exported in for
"The natural suggestion is-after
May Goth why not ship the flour In
American vessels? Unfortunately
there are no American boats in the
New York Liverpool service and ser
vices from Boston, Philadelphia and
Baltimore are not adequate"
Discussing the effect of the law on
the port of Portland the Press Her
aid says:
'vThis section drafted by the pow
erful interests of New York, Phila-
celphia, Baltimore and other South
Atlantic ports, was designed TO al
vert all the shipping business 10
these ports at the expense OF the
ports of New England. Portland. In
particular, will suffer from 1t In
deed. II will result in virtually de-
stroying all the shipping business
which this port now has.
One would need to be we'll verseo
in all the bearings of this compli-
Gated situation. arising from the at
tempt to maintain a merchant ma
rine. to suggest a positive remedy for
oil the difficulties. 1t is, however.
apparent to most people that this
country SnOulu Hot uSiouo ANsA> '''-T
the idea that a government managed
marine will meet the requirements.
The need Of a merchant marine Is
obvious, but already 1t is fairly clear
that the management Of shipping Is a
difficult undertaking calling for en-
nerience. for return freights. for in
dividual initiative and several other
qualifications; that IL we require
the maintenance of conditions FAVOR
able to the crews in competition with
those. who do not have to meet such
requirements, aid must be given to
sustain the enterprise. call 1t bonus
or subsidy. England finds a way TO
keep her ships on the ocean and Is
determined to keep them there. Her
ueople feel the need of this much
more deeply than do Americans ana
nrs willing to make the required ef-
fort. We are not and so nddie
around messing up business. inter
ferins with the channels Of trade at
a time when such interference is very