THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MEerRcEANT MARINE POLICY
We view with grave concern and are opposed to proposals that
the government should enter upon a new program of building mer-
chant ships and are opposed to Congress placing added restrictions
upon the authority of the Shipping Board to dispose of ships to pri-
vate parties. Such a policy as proposed is against the public interest
and national welfare.
The government has already sold many of the principal trade
routes, and these are being successfully operated under private own-
ership. Additional shipping services needed for the development of
the nation’s foreign commerce can also be transferred to and suc-
cessfully maintained by private enterprise through trade route and
mail contracts let whenever possible on a competitive basis.
The explicit statement made before the Transportation session
of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States on May 4,
1927, by Chairman O’Connor of the Shipping Board, that the Board
does not contemplate the investment of public moneys in new ship
construction, and his clear statement at that time that the Board is
determined to dispose of all ships and trade routes to private enter-
prise at any sacrifice, if with reasonable assurance of continued
service on those routes, accord with the adopted principles of the
Chamber, and at this time it is necessary only to impress upon the
Shipping Board the need of energy in placing this shipping in
private operation and with such support as is necessary to make
private operation effective. (Resolution, Fifteenth Annual Meeting,
1927.)
NATIONAL DEFENSE
PREPARATION FOR EMERGENCIES
Continuous supply of the necessaries of life and the necessaries
of industry is essential to the public welfare. Preparation to meet
emergencies arising from unexpected stoppage to the supply of such
necessaries should be undertaken by each community through its
commercial organization, and with the assistance of the National
Chamber. Information should be collected, for immediate and
effective use when occasion arises, respecting available supplies of
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