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mn E | | . . S : Rulings on Marine Matters Improvements to Waterways | Hints to Navigators = -| Es ee | Representative Gathering of Leading American Ship Lees Builders, Designers and Federal Officials Favors Load Line and Bulkhead Rulings RELIMINARY steps looking to load line and bulkhead regula- > tions governing vessels under the American flag were taken at a con- ference held on Sept. 27 in the office of Secretary of Commerce William C. Redfield at Washington. . With 39 government officials, ship builders, ship owners, architects, marine engineers, underwriters, and others from all sections of the country in attendance it was virtually the unanimous opinion that such regulation is necessary and that it should be adopted as quickly as expediency permits. There was a slight sentiment prevailing that the proposed regulation should be of an intérnational character, and in order to bring this about, if possible, it would be best to wait until after the European war has been concluded. The preponderant opinion, however, was that this plan would be impractical. In the first place, it was pointed out that the duration of the was is extremely uncertain and it would be unwise to delay plans for the proposed regulation. Secondly, it was said by some of the ship owners, such as Robert Dollar, San Francisco, presi- dent of the Robert Dollar Co., that it is by no means certain that foreign maritime nations would agree upon in- ternational regulation. Reason for doubting that they would do so was ex- pressed by Mr. Dollar, when he said that the United States senate had re- fused to ratify the London safety-at- sea conference, which incorporated a plan for bulkhead regulation. The best talent of all of the maritime nations, he pointed out, had been represented at that conference, yet in the “great un- wisdom of the American congress,” he said, it refused to ratify this action. It was also pointed out by Secretary Red- field that some of the belligerent na- tions are on record as being opposed to entering into such an agreement with their war-time enemies. With others, he conceded that an international sys- tem of regulation was the ideal plan, but that it could not be expected to be widely adopted in the near future. The specific action taken by the con- ference was in line with plans laid at a meeting of the shipping interests in Washington the night before the conference took place. This plan re- sulted in Secretary Redfield naming a nominating committee of three, which in turn was to appoint a committee of seven, representing all sections of the country, to formulate a general policy with regard to the proposed regulation. The committee of three named by Sec- retary Redfield consists of Stevenson Taylor, New York, president of the American Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and president of the Amerian Bureau of Shipping; Alfred Gilbert Smith, president of the New York & Cuba Mail Steamship Co., and chairman of the American Com- mittee of Lloyds Register of Shipping, and Homer L. Ferguson, president of the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Va. What the Committee Will Do The nominating committee was to select the committee of seven as soon as pos- sible in order that it may take up its work without delay. The committee of seven will give thorough study to plans for load line and bulkhead regu- lation, embracing among other things the systems adopted by European na- tions, all of which are largely similar in character. The policy of the com- mittee of seven may be outlined in the form of bills or recommendations. One thing thought to be certain is that the ‘committee will ask for the creation by congress of a technical staff which probably would be attached tothe bureau of steamboat inspection service of the department of commerce, the bureau administering any laws that might be enacted regarding load lines, bulkheads, etc. This plan would necessarily in- volve an appropriation. It is the same plan that other nations have adopted. The committee of seven will make its report and any recommendations it may see fit to offer to Secretary Redfield. Mr. Redfield probably will lay the re- 387 port before the shipping board for its approval or disapproval. Inasmuch as it will be an administrative matter, however, the bureau of steamboat in- spection service is expected to have di- rect charge of enforcing the regula- © tions. Expressions as to the proposed regu- lations were offered by nearly all of © those present. Their general trend was that the regulations will follow closely - the line of those of other: countries, particularly with regard to load line regulations as outlined in the report recently made by a committee for Great Britain! -This committee began work in 1913 and its research was exhaustive, entailing a cost of $250,000. The selection of the nominating com- mittee met with the hearty approval of the conference because of the able character of its personnel. Mr. Smith and Mr. Ferguson were two of the American delegates to the London con- ference in 1913-14 and members of the committee on construction of ships. Their work at the conference dealt with the question of load line and bulkhead regulation, as well as with other ex- tremely: important problems. Mr. Tay- lor is well known in American mari- time circles as an able and ° practical architect and engineer and one who has given a searching study to the tech- nical questions involved in ship con- struction. It was recognized at the conference that the matter of load line and bulk- head regulation involved many diffi- culties, and that it would require the best talent in the country to over- come them. Yet it was also realized that such regulation was necessary and could be worked out satisfactorily. The committee of seven which will take up this important task.was to be chosen from the ranks of ship builders, ship owners, architects, and engineers and perhaps underwriters. No government official will be named on the committee, at the request of Secretary Redfield, who assured the conference that the department would be ready and anxious