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TMNT i (MITT IOUT TTT VOL. 49 -CLEVELAND JUNE, 1919 NEW YORK No. 6 Industrial Fut SISSY WK > re Up to Congress Course of Nations Commercial History Will be Shaped in Next Few Months by Legislation for Air, Land and Water Carriers ONGRESS adjourned on March 4 under a C stigma of unaccomplishment which led to rather general expressions of relief at its dis- appearance and lack of enthusiasm over its revival. But the new congress, coming into session on May 19, is being watched by the country at large with an interest which reflects the knowledge that in con- gressional hands now rests the solution of problems of vital concern to every American industry. Transportation difficulties weigh upon the entire country. The ability shown by the administration and by congress in bringing these problems to solu- tion will go far to shape the future commercial history of the United States. The difficulties of the railroads, with millions of deficits piling up daily, is generally appreciated although the answer remains hidden. Reports of intentions to scrap airplane material and to abandon aviation fields, has stirred many to pro- test against this forfeiture of the opportunity to develop an aerial freight, mail and passenger trans- portation system. The evolution and the enactment of a merchant marine policy also calls for the ap- pearance and use of maximum portions of con- gressional foresight. Transportation problems of the land, air and sea must thus be solved jointly. Hopeful Signs for the Future While in present importance, railroad legislation takes first rank, a wise solution of our merchant marine- question may easily have even greater 1n- fluence in laying down the lines along which Amer- ican commercial history in the future will be written. For that reason, it is distinctly encouraging to see officials of the administration propounding and sup- porting definite marine policies, with individuals and associations actively backing amending proposals. With the railroad question on the other hand, the admin- one policy and solutions proposed by individuals have not won widespread attention. The policies fa- vored by Chairman Hurley, of the shipping board, are being criticized more freely--a_ hope- istration has confessed its lack of decision on any © 265 ful sign. His outline of a proposal for handling the American merchant marine is still broadly ap- proved, as indicated in the nation-wide balloting pre- sented in THe Marine Review last month, but sug- gested amendments are multiplying. These include definite assurances that all ships will be sold, remov- ing the possibility of federal competition, freedom from government regulations as to routes or rates, sale of smaller vessels to foreigners, removal of the government from the marine insurance field, etc. The suggestions that congress will not support the proposal to write down the value of our war-built ships are countered by reference to the freedom with which the war department is handling a similar prob- lem with war materials not needed now. Freedom from. restrictive legislation, particularly covering the inequalities in measurement and size of crews, is being actively sought. In a legislative way, our merchant marine future is in a state of flux which should finally settle at a level best calculated to in- sure the success of American marine competition. A Return to Private Initiative Shipbuilders have united in requesting the President to remove restrictions on building for foreign account, Mr. Hurley now supporting this request. Mr. Piez differs radically from Mr. Hurley on the policy of canceling ship contracts, the former desiring most of the contracts to be carried out, the latter favoring rather widespread cancellation, and a revival of com- petitive bidding. Homer L. Ferguson, shipbuilder, welcomes the return of competition with its oppor- tunities for private initiative. James A. Farrell, steel- maker and export authority, predicts that American ships, given equal opportunities with foreigners with regard to navigation and measurement laws, will not find the wage question much of a handicap. Efforts of congress for years past in solving trans- portation problems have not revealed remarkable fore- sight. Intelligent and active public opinion now has the opportunity of forcing wisdom into our new transportation laws.