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M Al Roy Nk R EO V foe 21 folly of sending untrained men to sea. It was un- doubtedly panic, produced through inexperience, which caused the ships of the Russian Baltic squadron to fire upon each other in the blackness of night and inci- dentally to kill a number of fishermen. It is under- stood that the necessity for an adequate naval reserve - is appreciated by the Merchant Marine Commission and that the bill which it will present to congress will contain a provision granting not only an allowance to the ship which carries a proportion of American boys but a retainer as well for the officers and crew of such ships. 'This is the practice of the leading maritime countries and it has resulted in keeping a floating re- serve of most desirable youngsters. Encouragement is afforded to get the proper sort of boy to go to sea. Mr. Goulder stated that the league would, of course, take the liveliest interest in any measure presented to congress for the upbuilding of the American merchant marine, but, that it was pledged to no particular form of promotion. It would, however, insist that whatever measure was submitted should be absolutely impartial in its operations and should benefit equitably all classes of vessels. The shipping trade of the United States belongs to the citizens of the United States regardless of rank or party or of any type of vessel in which their money might be invested. All are alike.entitled to the provisions of any measure that may be introduced. It is quite clear that the Merchant Marine Commission appreciates this view, for it is definitely announced that all classes of vessels, high speed steamers, cargo car- riers and sailing vessels are embraced in the provisions of the measure which it contemplates presenting in congress. The léague is desirous that party lines shall be com- pletely eliminated in the consideration of the shipping question because the subject is neither political nor sectional, but national in character. It has for its ob- ject the upbuilding of a great industry, essential to the proper development of the country in times of peace and invaluable in war. It is a question upon which there should be absolutely no political division. The commission is sifting closely the testimony in favor of discriminating duties. Mr. Goulder considers the most serious objections to the plan are these: First, that by countervailing regulations foreign nations might checkmate this plan, and second, that it will apparently require the imposition of customs duties at least for a time on imports now on the free list, which compose 46 per cent of our total imports. The propo- sition accordingly would precipitate a tariff discussion at the short session which might delay any action bene- ficial to shipping. Mr. Goulder said in conclusion that the league would do all in its power to reserve the shipments to the Pan- ama canal zone to the American ship. The Canada Atlantic & Plant Line, having failed to find a suitable steamer, is considering plans for the building of a steamer somewhat larger than the Halifax. GREAT LAKES ENGINEERING BRANCHING OUT the Great Lakes Engineering Works of Detroit, Mich., nas leased the plant at St. Clair, Mich., formerly owned by the Columbia' Iron Works and will hereafter operate ats" Dhe Columbia Iron Works was established something more than three years ago but had only completed one vessel when it became practically a bankrupt. At that time it had contracts for two steamers for the Gilchrist Transportation Co., the keel _ of one of which had been laid and for which an abundance of steel had been purchased. A new company called the St. 'Clair Engineering Co. was formed about two weeks ago to take over the ship yard and it was from this new company that the Great Lakes Engineering Works assumed its lease. Work will be immediately started at the plant upon the two Gilchrist freighters. The plans originally called for ships of 416 ft. keel and 50 ft. beam, but these have now been changed and the new vessels will be 464 ft. keel and 50 ft. beam. The steamers .will have Scotch boilers and _triple- expansion engines. With the acquisition of the new ship yard at St. Clair the Great Lakes Engineering Works now has two modern ship yards and an engine works capable of turning out any class of machinery. The new plant at St. Clair has many natural advantages. The plant was designed to facilitate the econom- ical assembly of material and the buildings are modern in every respect. It covers about 30 acres of land and the build- ing berths launch directly into the river. Ships of any length can be accommodated there. In taking over the two Gilchrist boats the Great Lakes En- gineering Works will have nine modern freight carriers to build for next year's delivery. One of the Gilchrist boats is to be delivered next July and the other next August. Mr. Antonio C. Pessano, president and general manager of the Great Lakes. Engineering Works, who negotiated the deal for the St. Clair property says that the company is figuring on building additional vessels and looks forward to an era of activity for an indefinite period. CLOSE OF LAKE SEASON The lake season will end, practically speaking, this week though there will be a few scattering cargoes delivered next week. The last vessel of the Steel Corporation, carrying coal, will leave Lake Erie on Friday of this week and the last vessel of the corporation, carrying ore, will leave the head of the lakes on the same day. From Lake Michigan the Steel Cor- poration will make shipments as late as Monday of next week. A number of the shipping docks have already ceased shipping ore. All of the lumber fleet is on its way down tke lakes. During the week a few cargoes of wheat have been placed at Ft. William at 4 cents, which, of course, is an extremely at- tractive figure. Seventy-five cents has been paid on coal from Lake Erie ports but everyone has been making an effort to close up their business this week. The season has not, on the whole, been a profitable one for vessel owners. Mr. Harry Coulby, president and general manager of the Pittsburg Steamship Co., sold the whaleback barges 201, zo2, 111, and 127 to the Baltimore & Boston Barge Co. this week and they will be taken to the coast at the opening of naviga- tion next year. The barges are laid up for the winter at Erie. ane selling of these barges is in conformity with the policy of the Steel Corporation to dispose of its smaller vessels and replace them with new and modern craft. To this end it has offered twenty of its smailer boats for sale and has given con- tracts to the American Ship Building Co. for four steamers to be the largest on the great lakes. These will doubtless be followed by other orders for large ships.