Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-28
Despite Trials, American
Merchant Marine Grows
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

Conferences this week between own
ers of the United States Lines and
members of the Shipping Board seem
to have disposed of persistent rumors
that the board might take back for
Government operation the LeViathan
and other vessels Of the great feet sold
in 1929. It is stated IN Official quarters
that the possibility of the return Of
the ships is not being considered, al
though there is discussion of defer
ment of payments on principal and
interest to the Government
General business depression has had
8 direct and devastating effect upon
shipping interests. American shipping
is now faced with the keenest competi-
ton in years and, in spite of liberal
mail contracts granted by the Govern
ment, most lines are having a difficult
time, with freight revenue falling OF
and tourist travel reduced.
R<%
There is one particularly sore spot
developing. It is the imminence of a
rate war in inter-coastal shipping,
which is complicating the question of
an increase in railroad rates now up
for consideration before the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
The Shipping Board has appointed
a committee to draw up a new con-
ference" agreement with the operators
of the ships that carry the coastal
trade. These operators themselves are
reported to be asking for an investi-
cation by the Shipping Board with q
view toward obtaining authority from
Congress for the Interstate Commerce
Commission to Ak and enforce mini
mum rates. The Shipping Board, how
ever, has authority to fix rates for the
coastal trade and there will be strong
opposition to any attempt to turn over
! such regulatory power to the already
overworked Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
* %*
Notwithstanding all its troubles, the
American merchant marine continues
to forge ahead slowly. Latest figures
show that 20 per cent of our foreign
trade is now carried by American ships
4, an increase of approximately per cent
over the achievement of 1929. In 1890
| vessels flying the American flag car
! ried more than 10000 900 tons of
| freight between American and foreign
! ports.
p. In 1914, the first year of the World
War, there were 20 lines carrying the
, American flag on the oceans of the
| world. In January of the present year
! lIlCtC WCIC % 1lpCo. AC pIOBICSS SlIlCC
| 1914 has been reflected in more lines.
In increased tonnage and in better serv-
! ice offered. There are today three
| American flag around-the-world serV-
, ices. Each of these touches four con.
| tinents and many outlying island
| groups, while several other lines operate
! to at least three continents.
y y
Within the last week the Post Office
Department certified to the Shipping
| Board two new ocean mail routes to
! European ports. This makes a total
! Of Al routes, touching the uttermoSt
parts of the globe, over which the
United States mail is now carried, with
| Government assistance.
Until the business situation had be-
come so unfavorable, the United States
Lines had hoped to build and put in
the Atlantic passenger trade two new
so-called superlinsrs. Construction of
these vessels has been postponed.
(Copyright, 1881