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Port of Gdynia (Continued from Page 21) concerns are following Bata’s initia- tive. The free zone is making Gdynia a point of transit and distribution not only for the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, but also for the countries of south and southeast central Hu- rope, such as Rumania, Austria and even a part of southern Russia (the Ukraine)—-countries already naturally gravitating toward the new port, Another economic consideration which makes Gdynia one of the most advantageously situated of transit ports is the low port dues for trans- shipment and storage. Thanks to the low level of wages in the port and the low currency, these dues, which have an effect also on maritime freight rates are exceedingly favor- able to transit trade. Commerce of Gdynia While international trade has been struggling under severe blows in the last five years, ship traffic at Gdynia has marched ahead in a phenomenal development. Only 24 ships, with a tonnage of 14,000 entered the port ten years ago. Last year, 8732 ships, with a tonnage of almost 7,000,000 used the port. In 1926, only 13 dif- ferent countries were represented in the traffic, while last year 23 differ- ent flags waved in the Polish port. Cotton, America’s chief export, is preferred in many countries of Cen- tral Europe today chiefly through the rise of Gdynia. Not only is Poland buying an increasing amount of American cotton for her extensive textile industries but the port is at- tracting cotton for transshipment to Czechoslovakia, Austria, Rumania, Hungary and Baltic countries. Be- fore the creation of the made-to-or- der port at Gdynia, the Polish tex- tile industry used mostly Russian and Persian cotton, brought chiefly through Bremen and Hamburg. As Gdynia developed, warehouses, der- ricks, side derricks and other equip- ment were installed, with the result that last year a third of a million bales of cotton arrived at Gdynia, as against only 2000 bales in 1930. Of the cotton imported today, 85 per cent comes from America. The great- est factor in directing cotton through Gdynia was the placing of a prefer- ential sea tariff on all cotton shipped to Poland by way of sea, rather than by railway from Germany. Polish textile concerns, moreover, are financ- ing their own cotton imports instead of leaving the financing to foreign firms. At Gdynia, special attention is also being paid to cotton shipments to countries of Central Europe, and during last year more than 50,000 bales entered the port bound for oth- er countries, Today, Gdynia has become the fifth busiest port in Europe, as far as its export and import turnover is con- cerned, being beaten only by Rotter- dam, Hamburg, Antwerp and Mar- seilles—all of whom have been in existence for centuries. Gdynia, in- fant of ports, has already passed the ancient ports of Stockholm, Danzig, Bremen, Copenhagen, Le Havre, Bor- deaux and Trieste. As recently as 1924, the import and export business of Gdynia was little more than 10,- 000 tons. Last year, the imposing total of 6,105,866 tons was handled by Gdynia, an increase over 1932 of practically a million tons. Increasing Variety of Trade The variety of trade at Gdynia has likewise increased yearly. In 1926, imports directed through the port consisted of only two groups of com- modities. There were five in 1927, nine in 1928, fifteen in 1929 and thir- ty-four in 1930. The same is true of exports. In 1928, there were six types of export goods; in 1930, there were thirty-four. Among the leading products which pass through Gdynia are rice, chem- icals, minerals, tobacco, shell for but- tons, herring and similar commodi- ties. Poland exports through the port a great deal of coal, sugar and wood as well as cement, zinc, eggs, butter and bacon. It imports cotton, machines, scrap iron, iron ore, chem- icals, building materials, phosphates and various foodstuffs. How significant Gdynia has proved to Polish trade is clearly shown by its seaborne trade. In 1922, only 7.4 per cent of all Polish imports and exports were directed through Polish ports, while during the first half of this year, 75 per cent of the trade used the sea route, Thirty seven per cent, that is, more than one-third of Poland's foreigs. trade, passed through the port of Gdynia. Considering the general shrinkage of foreign trade, this rep- resents the best evidence of the vi- tality of the port as well as of Po- land’s economic need of Gdynia, Safety Congress to Meet at Cleveland The twenty-third annual safety con- gress and exposition of the National Safety council will be held at Cleve- land Oct. 1 to 5. The marine section will convene on Oct, 2 at the Statler hotel and will be addressed by General Chairman Frank H. Cogan. The following pa- pers are to be presented: “The Economics of Accident Pre- vention in Handling Marine Cargo,”’ by H. W. Heinrich; an address by J. H. Love, manager of saftety and welfare, Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co.; ‘‘Safety from the Seaman’s Viewpoint,’ by David Berman; and “The Safety Activities which Reduce Accidents in Building Ships,’’ by Stewart Lee Jr., safety engineer, New York Shipbuilding Co. On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the follow- ing papers will be presented: ‘‘Visual- izing Safety,’ by Henry J. Heidorn, personnel department, Standard Ship- ping Co.; “Combining Safety with Speed in Bulk Cargo Handling,” by C. W. Turning; ‘‘Accident Abatemeni 38 in Iron Ore Unloading on the Great Lakes,’ by J. D. Proctor; superin- tendent, Erie Dock Co., Cleveland. Data will then be presented on the 1934 safety contest and presentation of awards will be made. Thursday morning, Oct. 4, the fol- lowing papers are to be presented: “Oil Tankers—Safety Obseryations,”’’ by W. F. Jones, superintendent, ma- rine department, Gulf Refining Co.; “Safety in Navigation,’’ by Professor H, L. Seward; ‘‘Expert Witnesses in Marine Injury Cases,’ by Carl F. Vander Clute, admiralty attorney; and ‘“‘Marine Problems—Prevention of Claims in Connection With Acci- dent Prevention,’ by Capt. EH. C. Holden Jr. Plan New Shipyard Gulf Industries Inc., Pensacola, Fla., it is reported has secured a grant from the city of Pensacola of 180 acres of waterfront property for a_ shipbuild- ing and shiprepair plant, with the stipulation that the company shall ex- pend $2,500,000 this year for buildings and equipment, drydocks, ete. MARINE REVIEW—October, 1934 Propeller Club Convention To Meet at Savannah The eighth annual convention of the Propeller Club of the United States is to be held at Savannah, Ga., Nov. 1 to 3. A large and enthusiastic attendance is anticipated. It will un- doubtedly be the most important gathering of shipping men and allied representatives held in recent years. One of the features of this conven- tion will be a merchant marine con- ference to be presided over by J. C. Peacock, director of the shipping board bureau. It is understood that the department of commerce will is- sue invitations to a list of nearly 2000 shipping men, exporters, im- porters, manufacturers, etc., to at- tend the conference on Nov. 2. Secre- tary Daniel C. Roper of the depart- ment of commerce has assured the president of the Propeller club full co-operation of the department. For this purpose he has appointed as his representatives, J. C. Peacock, and General D. N. Hoover, assistant di- rector of the bureau of navigation and steamboat inspection.