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March, 1921 Urge Enforcement of New Shipping Act For sustained interest, no past con- vention of the National Merchant Mar- ine association can measure up to the convention at Washington on Jan. 20 and 21. Scarcely had Senator Joseph E. Ransdell of Louisiana, completed his opening address and introduced Senator Wesley L. Jones, of Washington, who was the second speaker, than Senator Jones dropped his bombshell in the way of the charge that British interests have been and now are seeking to cripple the American merchant marine. For the remainder of the 2-day session this topic was paramount. In addition to electing officers and listening to well nigh a score of in- structive addresses, the convention adopted nine resolutions, beginning with one urging the "immediate and faithful enforcement of the merchant marine act of 1920." No. 3, of the resolutions reads: "Resolved, that private Ameri- can enterprise must be encouraged to engage in shipping through the means of national aid and wherever found neces- sary by the shipping board, to the end that American ships under the Ameri- can flag may operate in competition with foreign ships in the same trade." The spirit of optimism and _ con- fidence that pervaded the, convention was shown in the resolution that "We de- plore pessimism and destructive criti- cism and we respectfully urge upon con- gress and upon the people of the United States a spirit of optimism, and a firm determination to achieve, in spite of all difficulties, our national purpose of de- veloping and maintaining an American merchant marine for the national de- fense and for the proper growth of our foreign and domestic commerce." Repeal of the Panama canal tolls on American vessels, support for the ship- ping board in giving the merchant ma- rine act a fair trial, and aid to Ameri- can shipping to offset higher operating costs, were strongly urged by Senator Randsell. Admiral W. S. Benson, chairman of the United States shipping board, said "now that we are ship independent we should not only think in terms of im- mediate need but also remember al- ways that in time of national stress these vessels are of invaluable aid as naval auxiliaries." W. Averell Harriman uttered a plea for those shipping com- panies wich have purchased vessels under the high prices asked by the ship- ping board. These companies, he warned, face bankruptcy. He protested against shipping board competition in trades which have been built up by MARINE REVIEW Privately owned lines. Mr. Harriman said that the American merchant ma- rine at present is in a very unhealthy state, but that he believes "the will survive." P. A. S. Franklin, president. of the International Mercantile Marine Co., urged reorganization of the federal operation of the merchant marine to create conditions favorable to the purchase of government-owned ships by private interests. J. W. Powell, vice president of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., declared that the principal prob- lem facing shipbuilders at this time "is that of producing ships at the lowest possible figure, and the factor of labor costs is vital." Other addresses before the convention were made by Homer L. Ferguson, president of the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; J. Parker Kirlin, general counsel of the American .Steamship Owners' associa- tion, and Frank C. Munson, president, Munson Steamship lines. Marine Firms Organize Shipbuilders and manufacturers of marine equipment ,and supplies have organized an association designed to ad- vance the interests of its members, to promote good will between those who buy and those who sell marine equip- ment and supplies, to promote and super- vise exhibits, to co-operate with other associations in the marine field in order that their efforts for advancing the de- sign, construction and operation of ships shall be most productive. The organization has taken the ten- tative name of the. Marine Equipment Manufacturers' association. Member- ship will be confined to those who build or repair ships or make or sell marine equipment or supplies, to manufacturers of or dealers in machinery or appli- ances for building, repairing or loading ships, to marine insurance companies or brokers and to publishers of regularly issued business papers devoted to ma- rine subjects. The Marine Equipment Manufacturers' association plans closely to parallel the work done by similar organizations in the foundry and railroad fields. Plans call for the holding of one large ma- rine exposition yearly, clarifying the situation which has resulted in one show having already been held in New York with additional expositions definite- ly fixed for Philadelphia and New Orleans and being promoted for Chi- cago, San Francisco, Baltimore and Boston. The efforts of the association will not run counter to those of the National Marine league which has fostered the infant > 155 New York and Chicago shows held dur- ing the past year. The association, how- ever, will arrange to handle the marine expositions on a cost basis to the ex- hibitors and thus effect a tremendous ~ saving. Other associations in the ma- rine field will be asked to unite in hold- ing their annual meetings at the same time in order to promote the gathering of the greatest possible number of buy- ers and sellers under the most favorable conditions. Temporary officers are now drafting a constitution for consideration at a meeting to be held soon for permanent organization purposes. The officers chosen are Edward A. Simmons, Sim- mons-Boardman Publishing Co., New York, acting president and K. L. Ames Jr., American Steel Foundries, Chicago, acting secretary. The association was organized in New York on Jan. 28. Among those who at- . tended or who signed the call for the meeting were the following: American Car & Foundry Co., New York. American Engineering Co., Philadelphia. American Steel Foundties, Chicago. Baltimore Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Co., Baltimore. : é Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Bethlehem, Pa. Brunswick Refrigerating Co. New Bruns- wick, N. J. Coen Co., San Francisco. Columbian Bronze Corp., New York. Columbian Rope Co., Auburn, N. Y. Charles Coty & Son, Inc., New York. Crane Co., Chicago. Cutler Hammer Mfg. Co., Milwaukee. -- Electro Dynamic Co., Bayonne, N. J. Estate of Adolph Starke, Brooklyn, N. Y. Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Chicago. Federal Bending Machine Co., Bayonne, No ye : Gold Car Heating & Lighting Co., York. Griscom-Russell Co., New York. Horn Mfg. Co., 'Jersey City, N. J. Hyde Windlass Co., Bath, Me. International Nickel Co., New York.- Locomotive Superheater Co., New York. Marine Decking & Supply Co., Philadelphia. Marine Engineering, New York. Marine News, New York. Marine Review, Cleveland. Naval Co., Philadelphia. Niles-Bement-Pond Co., New York. Page Steel & Wire Co., New York. Paige & Jones Chemical Co., New York. Pacific Marine Review, San Francisco. Pneumercator Co., New York. Pyle-National Co., Chicago. Shepard Electric Crane & Hoist Co., Mon- New -tour Falls, N. ¥. Steward Davit Equipment Corp., New York. Sperry Gyroscope Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. Texas Co., New York. W. & J. Tiebout, New York. Todd Shipyards Corp., New York. Wailes, Dove, Hermiston Corp., New York. Wall Rope Works, New York. C. H. Wheeler Mfg. Co., Philadelphia. Westinghouse Electric & Mfg. Co., East Pittsburgh, Pa. Williams & Wells Co., New York. William E. Williams Valve Co., Brooklyn, Ni LY. C. A. Woolsey Paint & Color Co., Jersey City, N. f-