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MINNA TTT tH i | | HHL) d Uh | | HR D 1 - AeA psu | a | Ry } ° ' { W . xo " all) ei NM THT UAT IAT VAL VOL. 49 CLEVELAND DECEMBER, 1919 NEW YORK No. 12 | Shipping Bills Flood Congress Measures for Promoting Merchant Marine Engulf Legislators--Analysis of Principal Proposals -- Private Ownership Leanings Need Support OPE for affirmative action by congress in lay- ing down a definite policy for operating the great merchant marine which the war brought to this country now. centers on the action of the regu- lar session which convenes early in December. Work of the special session, particularly as far as the senate is concerned, has been so completely focused on the peace treaty that this great domestic issue has been shelved. The house of. representatives, free from any treaty making powers, has shown an inclination to make progress on marine legislation, always with the knowledge that the senate would take no action. Analysis of the many bills brought before both branches of congress gives only an imperfect insight into the probable trend of the policy as finally adopted. The one thread woven into the fabric of all bills assured of serious consideration, is that of private ownership. The means by which this sound economic position is to be attained differ so widely that the passage of certain of these bills would defeat the very object their advocates profess to desire. House Bills Are More Specific Measures considered by the house committee -lean more strongly toward private ownership and their provisions call more directly for the removal of the government from vessel ownership and construction as rapidly as possible. In the senate, various bills seek to secure the same end but the provisions assure federal intervention for a much longer period. The senate bill as drawn by the chairman of the committee charged with formulating a merchant ma- rine policy, is defended by its supporters on the same solid foundation of private ownership. The method chosen to bring about this condition is through a new government corporation with a guaranteed life of 30 years and unlimited powers. This corporation is to supersede both the shipping board oe Emergency Fleet corporation, taking over all ships, yards, contracts and liabilities. The shipping board vould fill the advisory role for which it was originally 563 cast. Suitable provisions relative to coastwise trade, through rates and postal service are included. With the experience of the war so vividly remem- bered, this new federal corporation can be visualized' - as it expands mushroomlike. The sound of its cymbal announcing its position as "operator of the largest fleet in the world's history" seems already to be stir- ring our auditory admiration. The corporation is specifically enjoined to keep always before it the goal of private ownership. Washington, however, has found the job of demobilizing several million fighting men to be almost a vacation compared with. the task of removing from government service in- numerable holders of civil positions who filled Wash- ington for months after the armistice. The ability of this proposed corporation to keep steadily in mind for 30 years, subject during that period to the whims of 15 different congresses, the ideal of sawing the props from under its own position is questionable. Concedes Only a Ten-Year Life An English shipping authority has communicated to his associates in England an analysis of conditions as he found them in this country. He expresses the conviction that American strength in world maritime affairs will be a-memory within 10 years. Opposition to this view can be found readily among equally com- petent British experts and his views are thoroughly refuted by most authorities in this country. American possession of a merchant marine is such a tremendous transition from the hopeless conditions before the war, that some still find it illusory. With interest in marine subjects felt more nationally than before the war, this clearly is the time for energetic action in promoting congressional wisdom. The policy finally chosen by the incoming congress will make our pres- ent great merchant fleet either a temporary or perma- nent asset. Certain minor laws already enacted carry the right spirit and. the views on private ownership held by the legislators furnish the stable foundation on which permanence can be built.