Evening star., 1939-08-27

j. ). Merchant Fleet
In Good Position
For War Emergency
Tonnage Is Four Times
Greater Than at
Sturt of World War
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
This country's merchant marine is
in a vastly better position to meet
an emergency caused by war in Eu-
rope than it was in 1914, when the
withdrawal of foreign ships from
commercial service created chaos.
Tonnage of American flag lines
available for international trade is
more than four times greater than
at the start of the World War. Also,
the Maritime Commission has a
building program well under way,
whereas for many years preceding
the last great war the merchant ma
rine had received little but neglect
The potential need for United
States ships to carry world commerce
was seen last week in news from
abroad. AS tension increased in Eu-
rope. Germany ordered all its mer-
chantmen back to home ports, Italy
Cancelled all sailings between Ameri-
can and European ports and some
English ships were ordered back for
possible use as troop transports.
The expanded United States mer-
chant fleet took on an immediate
Importance when the State Depart
ment, in announcing plans for evac-
uating American nationals from
danger zones, said it would count
on the regular American merchant
ships instead of naval vessels.
1872 Vessels Available.
The United States now has 1892
vessels of 100000 gross tons avail
able for operation in foreign trade
This figure does not take into con-
sideration the present building pro-
gram or the Governments laid-up
fleet of World War days. Some of
these latter vessels might be recon-
ditioned and placed in service in
event of a shipping emergency.
In 1914 this country had fewer
than 100 vessels, totaling about 5O0,-
90 gross tons, operating in regular
services in foreign trade.
For 20 years preceding the out
break Of the World War, 80 per cent
of the United States foreign COM
merce had been transported in for
eign bottoms. Now approximately
one-third of it moves in American
flagships.
With the withdrawal of foreign
tonnage at the outbreak of hostilities
in Europe in 1914, Americas meager
merchant fleet faltered under the
demands placed on it. Piers were
piled high, warehouses glutted and
railroad cars lined the tracks for
miles inland.
Shipping Board Created.
In 1916-a year before this coun-
try became a belligerent-the sit
uation had become so serious that
Congress created the Shipping Board
and ordered a $4,000, ,0OO, 900 build
ing program.
Frantically seeking to build "a
bridge of ships to France" the board
used not only steel for ships, but
wood, composite and even concrete.
The war ended, the demand died
and the American ships rotted away
In Stagnant backwaters.
Then, in 1886. Congress set the
stage for another building program
this time to provide "an adequate
merchant marine" for essential trade
routes and not a quickly built fleet
such as the World War emergency
demanded.
So far the Maritime Commission
has awarded construction contracts
for more than 80 vessels, a few of
which have been completed. The
program calls for so new ships a
year for 10 years.
The United States now ranks
fourth among the nations in vessels
OF 1000 gross tons or more normally
used in the carriage of goods and
passengers in international trade.
Ahead of the United States are
the British Empire, Japan and Ger
many. Behind are Italy and France.