Evening star., 1926-08-22
HY DREW PEARSON.

TIVE Shipping Boards sale of
three lake-type vessels last
week. the recent decision to
4 sell Is tankers and the prepa-
ration for the sale OF the
United States and American Merchant
lines indicates the pressure under
which the Shipping Board is working
to sell out. From June to the present
date the board has received S10.3S5.-
1884 for ships which it has sold and
delivered to private individuals. This
represents greater sales activity than
during any other period in the his
tory of the board.
Although no governmental depart
ment overeXertS itself during Wash
ington's dog days, at least it can be
said that the Shipping Board is work
ing harder than during any other or
the nine Summers it has weathered in
Washington. All five members of the
board favor selling ships. but on the
conditions of sale there is a serious
and sometimes strenuous difference of
opinion. One group, headed by Chair
man O'Connor and Commissioner
Teller, favors the sale of ships at al
most any price. They believe that
since Congress will not grant sub
sidy to American shippers an indirect
subsidy can be given them by selling
them ships at a price cheaper than
the European shipping interests have
to pay. This position is also cOnSld-
cred to be held by President Coolidge.
Fair Price Sought.
Another group of commissioners. of
which Admiral Benson and Commits
sioner Myers are the champions, be-
lieve that the shipping Boards feet
should not be sold until fair price is
offered. This is the opinion which
generally prevails among members of
Congress who have expressed them
selves on the policy of the American
merchant marine. This difference of
opinion is expected to cause Difficult
ties when the board tries to formulate
policy of developing the merchant
marine In answer to the request of
Congress that such a plan be sub
mitted to it by January I, 1927. For
the time being, however. the board is
fairly unanimous on one important
marine pOlicy-the elimination of the
old type steam engines from it's YES
sells and the substitution. when eXpe-
dient. of Diesel engines The Shipping
Board has taken Il definite and far
sighted stand not only in advocating
DleSel engines DuI III ordering 10 SuCIl
motors for installation in it's own
ships. These are the only large Diesel
engine operations under way in United
States shipping.
Meanwhile, Germany, Great Britain,
Norway. Sweden and Italy have long
| ago adopted the Diesel engine for
prime movers in both freight and pas
senger vessels. whole fleets Of vessels
being ordered with Diesel engines.
Italy now has under construction five
great Diesel engine ships. which will
| be the largest motor ships in the
world. Three of these-the Saturnia,
Eulcania and Asturias-will be 700
| feet long. will make a speed OF "a
knots and will sail between New York
and Trieste for the CoSulich Line.
Benson Backs Use.
| Although Americans have used
Diesel engines extensively for tugs
and ferries. the first real use in ma jor
| operations was taken by the United
States Shipping Board chiefly through
the efforts Of Admiral w. S. Benson
AS chief of operations of the Navy
during the war. Admiral Benson had
| seen the growing efficiency of the
| Diesel engine. and ever since his mem