Evening star., 1933-02-05


the most outrageous and selfish ma
uonal policy I ever heard Of
Preparations are already being made
by Britain, by interviewing the various
nations which are concerned, for what
Is to be done at the economic confer
ence?' asked Senator johnson, Repub-
ncan. Of California.
BY secret diplomacy" Copeland re-
piled. THAT is exactly the plan"
1T is a species of lobbying?" john
son asked.
"Yes, a species of lobbying against
Uncle Sam and the interests of the
American Merchant Marine" Copeland
answered.
Completion Held Impossible.
Copeland contended the American
merchant marine could not survive
. competition with Great Britain and
other foreign nations if shipping SUBJ
sides were eliminated. pointing to a
higher cost of building ships. higher
wages and shorter hours for American
Seamen and better living standards for
men on ship board.
An effort by Senator McKellar. Demo-
;frat. of Tennessee, to cut from $35,-
100000 to S28 600 600 the amount to be
spaid on ocean mail contracts this year
tWas defeated, SO to 80, shorty after
Copeland spoke
During the debate, Senator Bingham,
republican, OF Connecticut. said any
cuts in the amount provided would
"please the British" greatly.
Copeland said the British Chamber of
Shipping has gone so far as to call
upon those men who are to be delegates
to the forthcoming economic conference
to get in touch with the delegates Of
other nations in order that there may
be some plan worked out to end the
support America is giving to its Ameri-
can merchant marine
I'VE have developed a merchant ma
tine which is of some consequence" said
Copeland.
1T was not long ago, it was only at
the beginning of the war; when very
little of our products, agricultural and
manufactured, were carried by our
ships
Even now We are carrying only one
third of cur foreign trade in American
flag ships. On the other hand, Great
Britain carries so per cent of her own
foreign trade in British Empire flag
ships, and is carrying As per cent Of the
total foreign trade of the entire world.
The British are greatly agitated over
the situation"
cSII@lOl SOptldilU = IeIlldFkS 'eNl ktQ
no comment BY State Department. Off
ci9is, who have long been conscious of
a British drive against shipping sub
Sidies.
Discussed at Geneva.
At the Geneva committee meeting of
international economists. which ar
ranged the conference program, there
was much discusyion of ship subsidies
as burden on budgets and bar to
restoration of normal conditions in the
shipping world.
1t was finally agreed that the subject
should be discussed at the conference
Along with many other problems of dis
organized transportation. DIR. Edward
E. Day and DR.. John H. Williams, the
American delegates, indicated the SUBJ
Ject was so controversial that probab bly,
little could be accomplished by its dis
cussion.
1t is the opinion of the American
delegates that criticism of subsidies
will not be confined to American ship
ping. but will extend to the shipping
Of Italy. France and many other pow
ers, especially those which operate on
the North Atlantic.
Government aid in one form or an
other has been supplied to most of the
lines in the North Atlantic, particular
ly those operating large liners. But
many of the countries have been less
frank, according to shipping experts,
than the United States and have not
directly financed the building of ships.
1t is believed by many American
shipping experts that nothing can be
done at the economic conference which
will alter existing contracts and agree
ments, and that discussion can not do
more than force the agreement upon
some principles which may be adhered
to subsequently in-the formulating of
international shining nOlicV