Evening star., 1925-08-05
Ford's Fleet.


Board of Henry Ford's offer to pur-
chase 200 of the tied-up Government
owned merchant ships promises at
least two important developments
with regard to the American merchant
marine.
First, according to reports from
sources that should be well informed,
Mr.. Ford Is preparing to enter the
overseas ocean-carrying business on
considerable scale. Some of the hulls
of the vessels which he has purchased,
after the ships have been dismantled,
it is said, may be fitted with Diesel
engines and placed in operation.
Second. the Government is wisely
getting rid of large number Of tied
up surplus ships, which, in their pres
ent condition, serve no useful pur-
pose, and which are merely rusting
away. Eventually there must be new
tonnage, more up-to-date and better
fitted for the liner services which
Americans and the American Govern
ment are seeking to place permanent
ly on all the important trade routes
of the world. AS long as the tied-up
Government merchant vessels last
there will be little inclination either
by the Government or by private
American capital to proceed with the
new construction necessary.
The scrapping Of 200 Of the tied-up
ships must not be considered a step
toward the removal of the American
flag from the overseas trade, although
doubtless it will be hailed as such in
some quarters. 1t Is the purpose Of
the United States Government and of
the shipping men Of this country to
maintain a permanent American mer
chant marine, both for national de-
fense and for the improvement of
American commerce. The scrapping
of the useless tied-up ships, however,
may have the effect Of breaking the
log jam in the shipping which has
caused the laying up not only of
American ships but of tonnage in
nations. Primarily this condition was
brought about by falling off in in
ternational commerce due to retrench-
ment after the war. But it has been
greatly fostered by the surplus ton
mage in the world.
Henry Ford is particularly well sit
uated for entrance into the ocean
carrying trade. He has the capital
necessary, he has the products to fill
his own ships, and he has demon
strated again and again genius for
doing quantity production" business.
If other great American industries
will enter the field of shipping the
future of the American merchant
marine seems assured. Mr.. Ford has
attained major success in motor
manufacture and transportation. He
owns a railroad. which he has made
to pay. He has entered upon the
establishment of commercial airplane
lines. And now he is going into ocean
transportation.
Criticism of the Shipping Board and
the Emergency Fleet Corporation be-
cause they have approved the sale of
200 ships for scrapping may follow
when Congress reassembles. Indeed,
the legality of the transaction was
questioned by at least one member of
the Shipping Board. The Attorney
General, however, has given an opin-
ion holding that the sale to Henry
Ford was entirely legal. The Shipping
Board, it is expected, will go ahead
with it's efforts to place the Govern
ment owned fleet in private ownership,
with assurance of permanent overseas
operation, and at the same time, now
that the ice is broken, will seek to
dispose of other useless tied-up ships
for scrap. A careful survey made by
Government experts from the various
departments, including the Shipping
Board and the Navy Department, last
Winter showed clearly that there
were 400 and more Government
owned surplus ships. for which there
would probably be absolutely no need
or use before they are destroyed by