Evening star., 1939-11-10
Maritime
Continued From First Page.)

certain strategic materials" which
the Government now is importing
from various parts of the world I'M
der specific authority of an act of
Congress to increase its supplies of
essential commodities not available
in America. An initial appropriation
of S10,000000 was made for this
purpose with an authorization for
continuance of the plan for several
additional years.
Second would be the transport to
the United States of rubber and tin
procured in the barter deal with
Great Britain. Most of this. Mr.
Roosevelt said, would come from the
East Indies
In this connection. the President
disclosed that arrangements are be-
ing negotiated for Great Britain to
take the cotton which it was to re-
ceive in exchange. to Europe in its
own ships.
No Question of Legality.
With regard to the controverted
transfer of the United States Lines
ships to Panama registry, for which
Maritime Commission approval is
being withheld, the President said
there was no question about the
legality of the transfer, but that the
administration was trying to work
out other arrangements. The earlier
shift of Is Standard Oil tankers and
other vessels to foreign registry had
not set a precedent, Mr.. Roosevelt
emphasized.
The President pointed out that
many of the ships already moved to
foreign registry are on their last
legs. He doubted he said, whether
many of them would be worth trans
ferring back to American registry
after a period of operation for war
time purposes.
Questioned about the possibility of
American lines shifting some of
their ships to other services not
affected by the neutrality restric-
tions, the President reminded his
conference that the traffic in freight
and passengers is determining
factor. Ships cannot profitably be
placed on other routes unless there
is demand for additional service on
such routes, he said.
Replying to critics of the pro-
posed registry transfers, the Presi-
dent pointed out he was more or
less bound by law and it was one
OF those anomalies that some sup
porters of the Neutrality Act were
the very ones challenging the step.
He said he did not know when
action could be expected by the
Maritime Commission on the United
States Lines application.
Lacks Overriding Power.
The Merchant Marine Act does
not give the President authority to
override the Maritime Commission,
but officials said today it is GUS
tomary for administrative agencies
to consult with the Chief Executive,
particularly on matters of policy.
Its mostly a case of moral
persuasion" one official said.
ut is not at all unusual for the
4SoAACllV w dSV do al UAtCl AL ulS.
putes like this"
Shortly after Mr.. Roosevelt dis
closed plans to put seamen in train
ing, Coast Guard officials said new
school, capable of taking care of
about 1000 seamen, was being plan
ned at Gallup's Island at Boston.
Room also could be found for
more men at the present stations at
Hoffman Island, New York; New
London, Conn, and Alameda, Calf,
it was said.
While at these schools, officials
said, the men would have a chance
to improve their seamenship and
earn at least a meager living.
Ordinary seamen-those not clas-
sif1ed as officers-enter the schools
at a basic pay Of $50 per month
plus board. room, transportation
and clothing. At the end of two
months the cash pay goes up to
t54 per month. At present the