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Hurley Plan Mee Vote of Shipowners and Shipbuilders ts With Ap Shows That Majority Favor His Plan--Proposal for Federal Directors Approved by Narrow Margin MMEDIATELY after Chairman Hurley of the United States ship- ping board outlined his plan for the disposal of the government-owned merchant vessels, built as a war mea- sure, THE Marine REVIEW formulated a simple and effectual method for as- certaining just how those vitally inter- ested in maritime affairs regarded the 10 provisions of the plan as outlined. Ballots, a facsimile of which is shown on the facing page, .were prepared and sent to shipowners and shipbuilders. The prompt and generous response was an index to the keen interest taken in the future of America's merchant marine. The voting enables THe Marine Re- view to publish authentic information on public opinion regarding this impor- tant, question. _ As shown by the ballot reproduced, a space was provided for suggesting changes to the different proposals. This feature of the ballot was made use of by a large majority of the firms. Some of these suggestions appear on the facing page. ; Taken as a whole, public opinion is with Mr. Hurley. In fact, his sugges- tions have met with a general ap- proval that is surprising. The weight of opinion is against government. con- trol. in any form. 'The summary of the vote given below reveals this sen- Hurley Favors Vote 3 St. Augustine, Fla. Editor, THe Marine REvIEw-- ia very much pleased that you -- have issued a ballot on the mer- chant marine plan suggested -by me, for the readers of THe Ma- RINE Review. This will obtain an expression from the practical shipbuilders and shipowmers 'im the country that will be helpful to all of us. We are all anxious to accomplish the best results pos- sible for the country and any campaign such as the one you are pursuing, cannot help but be beneficial to all concerned. (Signed) Epwarp N. Hourtey. the shipowners are in favor of private ownership while 95.6 per cent of the shipbuilders voted in the affirmative on this question and only 4.4 per cent voted against private ownership. The total of both classes, that is shipowners and shipbuilders, shows that 97.5 per cent are in favor of private ownership. On the question of sale price, 100 per cent of the shipowners favor the world market price as do 93.4 per cent of the shipbuilders. voted in favor of the 10-year payment plan and 98.9 per cent of the ship- builders also indorsed this proposal. On the insurance question, 100 per 'cent of the shipowners voted in favor of American firms carrying part of the insurance while 92.9 per cent of the shipbuilders also voted favorably. On the second clause in this question, 84 per cent of the shipowners voted favorably as did 78.9 per cent of the shipbuilders. - 5 On the question of transfer to for- eign registry, 66.7 per cent of the ship- owners voted in favor of government permission being necessary, while 73 per cent of the shipbuilders approved. On the federal charter question, 63 per cent of the shipowners favor it while 37 per cent voted against it. The vote of the shipbuilders was 68 per cent favorable, 32 per cent against. The question of a government direc- tor secured a' bare majority, as' only 55 per cent of the shipowners are 1n favor of this and only 50.8 per cent of the shipbuilders. On the question of directors forming a permanent advisory committee, 5% per cent of the shipowners voted favor- ably as also did 56.7 per cent of the shipbuilders. ' On the question of the merchant ™a- rine development fund, 68 per cent cf timent. It shows that 100 per cent of Eighty per cent of the shipowners the shipowners voted favorably as. Summary of Vote Taken on the Merchant Marine Plan : Expressed in Per Cent Shipowners Shipbuilders Total ate oe Yes No Nes No Yes No Pe aCISID Piivale © 3. ee ee ee ss, 100 0 ) . pra price a slipe---world market. ).........., 100 0 BS 66 on 36 Oe ee year period.) oe ee ar p 3 oe OU 20 98.9 jek 85.0 15.0 Part American firms.... 100 : ee 0 92.9 Va Part government ee Pg eee: , 84 16 78.9 Zi) a eG 5--Transfer to foreign registry--government per- : £ pie Ce: 66.7 io.0 73.0: 27.0 70.0 30.0 a ee ~--Wirectors to form permanent adviso ittee : 7 is 9---Merchant marine development And Paine 7 a my a se ane from interest and premium payments--to meet interest charges on unprofitable trade routes en- gaged in at government Pen 68 oe 78.6 10-Vessel mortgages--to be made superior liens... 886 ° 1LA 813 ae oe oat 220