Evening star., 1927-10-16
u. S. MERCHANT SHIPS
HEADED FOR OBLIVION
Experts Say Flag Will Disappear From
Seas i'm Sixteen Years, if Present
Trend Continues.

ago by William Cramp, the yard sue
cumbed to "peace-time inactivity in
shipbuilding," according to an an
nouncement by the firm.
Naval Authorities Alarmed.
This shipyard had seen the day.
early i'm its career. when American
ships carried almost 80 per cent of
our foreign trade. 1t had seen this
trade decline, until in 1910 it was less
than per cent. 1t had struggled on
through the World War and into 1920,
when the percentage rose to more
than 40, and had seen, year by year
since 1924, the carriage decline again
until last year it reached 32 per cent.
Unless this downward trend is ar
rested. the American merchant ma
rine will, like Cramps shipyard. pass
out of the picture in another decade
and a half.
Naval authorities are alarmed over
this condition. They remember the
situation that confronted this Nation
at the outset Of it's entry in the World
War, with no merchant marine YES
sells to- commander for war purposes
and few shipyards In which to build
any. The relation of commerce to the
Navy will he the theme of many
Navy day speech the latter part of
this month.
Attitude of Wilbur.
Secretary Wilbur is one of this coun-
try's advocates for a large merchant
marine.
To-day our merchant vessels are
carrying about SO per cent of our for
eign commerce." he points out. ut
should be at least so per cent. The
remaining 68 per cent that is carried
T. Fo E~ff nc 6n M
annually about $500, 900, 900 to other
countries for transporting our goods.
A greater portion of this we should
ship in our own bottoms, and so re-
tain a large part of this vast sum at
home.
What is paid to foreign ships for
carrying the products of our farms
and factories is a stream of gold that
leaves our country. That which is
paid to our own merchant vessels
circulates back into the country to
take it's part in general industry. The
ships required for such commerce
would be built, repaired and pro-
visioned at American sources and
would give employment to many of our
citizens.
1.-The merchant marine. essential to
the economic development of our
country in time of peace. becomes
vital element of national defense in
time of war. Its building up and de-
velopment with vision and resolution
is a subject of Importance to every
citizen"
At CrOss-ROads.
The United States Shipping Board,
authorized by Congress to develop this
merchant marine, is at the crossroads
of future progress. According to
~ SI,af
Congress must decide whether 1--WE
must go forward or backward"
A decision must be reached as to
whether the board should continue TO
carry out the merchant marine act
as it is doing at present. whether there
should be drastic legislation to bring
about IAN abrupt transfer to private
capital" or whether the Government
should abandon its attempts to build
up a merchant marine.
By act of Congress. the Shipping
Board has taken war-built ships and
endeavored to develop and maintain a
series of American-fiag steamship
lines, for the first time in Is years.
| The board is operating a number of
overseas steamship services, not in
/ competition with privately owned
American vessels.
Trying to Sell.
With the authority Of Congress, the
board now is trying to sell these ships
to private American interests on favor
able terms, with view to getting
the government out of business" and
at the same time of establishing a
prosperous, growing merchant marine
| flying the American flag.
To turn these ships over to private
capital without further delay will re-
quire Substantial government aid" to
the private owner, Mr.. O'Connor
states.
To continue the present policy of
Government operation, until such time
as private owners relieve the board
of all its lines. by a gradual process.
also will require appropriations.
I'VE can go on talking about what
other governments do and we can read
statistics upside down and crossways,"
| Chairman O'COnnor asserts. 1--WE have
got to support one or the other of
these two pr ropositions-or we have
got to repudiate the 1920 declaration
of Congress that the United States
shall have merchant marine.
I'VE must either go forward or
! backward"