Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-24
HOOVER'S TOUCH
LAUNCHES VESSEL
5r~
S. S. Santa Rosa HeraIds
go ShipbuiIding Revival, He
sgT,ss..s Says in Message.

President Hoover, at 10 o'clock this
morning, hurried from his desk to the
4 communications room in the basement
Z Gf the executive office, where he touched
ID key which flashed a signal to Kear-
Eiey, N. j., officially launching the
Eteamship Santa Rosa of the Grace
Line.
A half hour later the President made
Z public message, which was read at the
launching ceremonies, in which he
called attention to what he looks upon
As a revival of the shipbuilding indus
/ Sy and in which he predicted that,
With the return OF more normal trade
! conditions, American business men will
dnd it possible to ship and to travel,
with unprecedented speed and fire.
I ruency, under the American flag, to all
important markets of the world.
4 N The Presidents message follows:
II II am glad to extend congratulations
! to the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry
4 dock Co., as builders, and to the Grace
Line panama Mail Service) as owners,
upon the launching of the S. S. Santa
Rosa.
aN Sees Closer Intercourse
II THE addition of this vessel, and the
three sister ships which will follow her
into the carrying trade between the
United States and Central and South
America, is an augury of closer COM
munication and intercourse with our
neighbors to the South.
1T also invites attention to the far
reaching benefits of the constructive
legislation contained in the merchant
marine act of 1923. With the aid pro-
vided by mail contracts and construc-
ton loans authorized by this act, orders
have been placed for As new vessels, of
100000 gross tons and for the recon-
ditioning Of 70 vessels Of 160 900 gross
tons.
THE resultant revival of shipbuild-
ing industry has provided employment
not only at seaboard shipyardS but
throughout the country where are pro-
ouced and manufactured a large part
OF the materials and equipment enter
ing into the finished vessels.
The constant volume of new con-
struction has made possible a notable
advance in the shipbuilding art. Ship
owners, ship builders, marine architects
and engineers find in the merchant
shipbuilding program now being car
ried out opportunity to attain the most
effective combination of speed, fuel
economy, carrying capacity and SUPER
Tor accommodation for the comfort, con-
Venlence and safety of passengers.
Benefit to Country.
The efforts put forth in the re-
Mobilization of the American merchant
marine have proved beneficial to the
country at large. During the past few
years, as compared with the pre-war
decade, the proportion OF our foreign
trade carried by ships under the Ameri-
can flag, has substantially increased. It
has notably grown in trades where no
American flag services previously were
provided.
AT no time since the glorious Ameri-
can clipper ship era has the Nation
displayed such keen interest in its
ship activities The determination of
the American people to possess a first
class merchant marine mas resulted in
the establishment of network of regu-
lar and dependable ocean service to all
the principal ports of the world, where
our flag is again a familiar sight-a
symbol of friendship and good will in
the development and expansion of
international trade
With the return or more normal
trade conditions, American business
men will find it possible 20 ship and to
travel with unprecedented speed and
frequency under the American flag. to
al the important markets of the
world"