The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-02
BUSINESS NJ [ n
URGE MORE
SHIPS
U. s. Shipping Facilities De.
clared Inadequate for
country's Need.
By w. s. COUSINS.
'(Copyrieht, 1924, by Cosmopolitan
NAMs SerXlcAl

VCopyriGht, 1924. by Cosmopolitan
News Service.l
NEW YORK, April 2.--America's
first attempt in half a century tc
place her shipping facilities on al
adequate basis for peace or war, and
thus to build up powerful auxil
larry to her overseas trade, may be
frustrated Il the attacks against the
United States Shipping Board
policies are successful. In declaring
section 90 Of the marine act Of 1896
operative, many Of Americas sue
cessful exporters today contend that
this nation is making but tardy rec
ignition Of the measures that have
built up the overseas trade of its
competitors. Those who oppose max
ing effective section % predict sd
degree Of confusion and chaos in for
eign trade of the United States that
would be deplorable."
Shipping Board Blamed.
Committees Of the New York
Chamber Of Commerce, headed by
William e. Peck, president of VIII.
liam e. Peck & Co., and David T.
Warden, vice president Of the Tide
water OH Company, have proposed
a resolution savagely attacking the
decision of the Shipping Board. and
declaring that precent facilities Ill
shipping are not adequate for the
country's needs. 1.-THE fact that
there are 800 to 900 Shipping Board
ships laid up at this time Is not an
indication that adequate facilities
are or can be afforded by American
vessels" Mr.. Warden said.
An officer of the National Auto.
mobile Chamber Of Commerce saih
today that the Shipping Board was
apparently playing into the hands
Of the competitors Of American shin.
owners in the Canadian routes. In
the shipment Of automobiles abroad.
he said, the element Of financing ID
as important as that Of freight ca.
pacity. AS auto export business is
done ON cash basis, 1t is necessary
10 make frequent shipments In order
TO insure quick delivery, quick pay
ments, and the clearing Of the mar
kets for subsequent orders. Const.
quently 1t ID customary to utilize
every available ship, regardless OF
nationality.
Prefer u. s. Ships.
Some Of the ocean lines, such for
example as the routes to Australia.
are paroled by many competing
lines, sailing on a regular schedule,
OF which America furnishes oneS in
every eight. There might be no
question as I'd the ability Of that
eighth" ship to carry over auto.
mobiles ready to be shipped, but it
would cause embarrassment, and
probably loss Of business to DELAY
the next shipments until the sail.
ing Of the succeeding American
boat. simultaneously, good facil.
tiles are offered by British ships
through the Canadian ports, and
Canadian shipping men are actively
competing for the business. It was
also thought that delay in ship.
ments might raise such questions
as warehousing and docking facil.
tiles, inventories, +. O. b. agree.
ments, etc.
That American shippers should
and do prefer the ships under their
own flag, other conditions being
equal, is generally admitted by
shipping men. Aside from their
desire TO help build UP a national
merchant marine isN the important
matter of sanctity Of business in.
formation and the better care of
goods afforded them under the
stars and stripes.