The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-10-29

Grain and, Cotton Expected to
Follow Lead of Steel
and Auto Groups
By ROBERT s. THORNBURGH
Copyright, 1895. by international
News Service)

BY HUBERT .. InORNDONuA
Copyright, 1895. by international
News Service)
Cooperative ownership and OPP
Grafton of sea-going steamers by
American Enthusiastically the
two-fold object of cutting trans
portation costs and aiding the up
building of q vigorous American
merchant marine-is showing a
healthy growth that the public
little realizes, it was learned to-
day by international News Service.
Il is q step in the evolution of
cooperative marketing, which is
and has been widely advocated
BY such economic authorities as
Secretary of Commerce Hoover,
Ex-Governor Frank o. Lowden, of
Illinois, and others.
Industries Own Ships
Al considerable number of appli-
cations have been made to the Unit
ed States Shipping Board for pur-
chase of its sea-going tonnage by
industries that have been interested
In the cooperative plan. Automo-
bile manufacturers that have large
export business have taken the lead.
Others are following. The steel in
terests already have their own ships.
Government officials regard the
growth Of this new form of co-opera-
tive marketing as one OF the most
remarkable and advantageous steDs
in the promotion of American com
merce that has developed in the
present generation. They believe IT
II the solution OF the merchant
marine problem. which has worried
every Administration since the
American clipper ships disappeared
from the seas.
Not only win use of these coop
eratfve ships aid the growth of
American shipping. but it will tend
to increase. the hold Of American
industries on the markets of the
world bv so reducing transportation
costs that American commodities
can meet foreign goods In price all
over the world.
Grain and Cotton Next
Government economists pointed
out today that the development OF
the st. Lawrence waterways project,
forming b channel for ocean ships
from the Lakes to the Atlantic,
probably win mean the cooperative
exporting of grains and other farm
products from the middle West.
The cotton-growing interests Of
the South are vitality interested in
the development, furnishing a bulk
of the crude materials which go to
make up 25 per cent of all Ameri-
can exports. Cotton sales abroad are
said to be particularly affected by
ocean rates, which under the CO.
operative shipping plan would be
cut to a minimum.
Officials said that there are many
industries that probably
will join hands in ship ownership
referring to those whose export
bulk is not great. The tobacco in
dustry was placed in this classifi.
cation. Other exporters, upon whose
commodities ocean rates are rela-
lively high, have already taken
steps to investigate the new, method
Of foreign shipments.
Until after the war exporters OF
the United States had paid out mil
lions to foreign ship corporations
for the transportation of American
goods. Figures for last year, how
ever, disclose that the tide has
turned.
Increase Expected
Exports carried in American ships
totaled $1.514.S12, 900 In 1924. and
an increase that will put the figure
over $4,000, 900 900 is anticipated
this year. Imports to United States
carried in foreign vessels amounted
to 1913. 061 900, about 81 per cent
OF all waterborne imports.
Department of Commerce figures
show that shippers of this country
paid S76,OO0,OO0 to American ship
owners, while foreign owners col.
1ected $68. 900 .00e in 1924.
The stimulation Of cooperative
shipping would be enormous, Off
Gals said, pointing out that with
little advantage in ocean rates at
present, exports for the first nine
months of this year amount to
$3.504 1928, 600. Imports for the same
period have been $3,07S. 54s, 900, with
the total increase in foreign trade
for the nine months $7SS, 00O, 900
over the same period last year.