Evening star., 1950-03-25
Harbors Group
To|dU. ). Needs
MoreShipping
Rudy Calls Capacity
For Carrying Troops
In War Inadequate

The United States does not
have sufficient ships in the event
Oft national emergency, the Ma
tional Rivers and Harbors Con-
gress was told today.
The speaker was John Forney
Rudy, director of public relations
of the National Federation of
American Shipping. He addressed
the closing session of the three
day convention at the Mayfower
Hotel.
Mr.. Rudy told the delegates that
national defense leaders have told
Congress that if war broke out
the Nation would need ships with
a troop-carrying capacity of 900,-
600 men. Today, the speaker said,
the Nation has vessels with a
capacity of only around 100000.
Soviet Aware of Inadequacy.
"I am of the opinion that Rus
sia is far more cognizant of the
fact that we are again Woefully
inadequate in the number of pas
senger ships that could be used
for troop transports than is our
own government" Mr.. Rudy de-
clared.
The federation spokesman dis
counted the thought that the
United States could depend on
merchant vessels of friendly
powers in the event of a national
emergency. He declared that his
tory shows that we must rely upon
"a healthy, strong. well-balanced
American merchant marine"
Mr.. Rudy declared that in the
last 10 years the Government has
spent about 1888 million for con-
struction subsidies for the Ameri-
can merchant marine.
THAT may sound large, but it
is less than per cent of the
SIS billions spent for potato,
cheddar cheese and a host of sub
sides to other businesses and
agriculture.
Same as Potato Subsidy.
Mr.. Rudy compared the average
SIT million annually paid out by
the Government for operating
subsidies for ship operators to the
same amount paid out every week
for potatoes. He said that while
the Maritime Commission was
paying out some $68 million in
operating subsidies, these same
steamship lines were paying back
into the Federal Treasury more
than 500 million in taxes.
Another speaker at this morn
ing's session. j. w. Hershey, vice
president of Butcher Arthur, Inc,
said the inland waterway industry
must broaden and diversity both
the type of cargo carried and the
classes of shippers which it
serves. = H~f-. =
He told the convention the
railroads, which in the past nearly
wiped out river traffic by giving
lower shipping rates. are just as
dangerous today. He said that
Congress should amend the law
to give river carriers adequate
protection.
Truman Message Read.
Meanwhile. President Truman
told the National Rivers and Har-
bors Congress in a message yes
terday that its work is making an
important contribution to the
strength of America and the peace
of the world"
The message was read at yes
terday's session in the Mayfower
Hotel by Senator Mcclellan, Dem
ocrat, OF Arkansas, president of
the congress.
THE work which you are doing
has increased in Importance ever
since it began at the turn of this
century" Mr.. Truman wrote. LAS
our country has grown, in ma
terial possessions as we'll as in
world leadership, your organiza-
tion's program has kept pace with
our national needs.
THE sound development of our
land and water resources is a
critically important factor in in
suring the overall health and
strength of our country. BY your
work in this vital field, you are
making an important contribution
to the strength of America and
the peace of the world"
The three-day convention was
to end today, with attention cen
tered on the American merchant
marine, water transportation, rec
lamation and water conservation