The Cordele Dispatch

USE OF FOREIGN SHIPS.

On the fifteenth of this month the government of the United States will requisition all American vessels of 2,500 tons or more, whether engaged in the foreign or coastwise trade, and direct their movements. Of course a large number of them will be left with the companies that own them, to continue on their usual runs. But it is doubtless true that a much larger number will be used in the foreign trade than are now used in it. This will mean a decrease in the vessels engaged in the coastwise trade of the United States and the number may be decreased to such an extent as to cripple our coastwise trade.

To meet a possible and even probable shortage of American vessels it is proposed in some quarters that foreign vessels be permitted to engage in the coastwise trade of the United States. Foreign ship owners have a number of vessels not in use. They do not wish to risk them in the trans-oceanic trade but they would like to have them busy and making money if they could do so without risking the danger of the submarines. These would like to get a chance at the coastwise trade of the United States and by engaging in it they could release a larger number of American vessels for trans-oceanic service.

We think it would be better to permit our coastwise shipping lines to lease these foreign vessels to take the place of those the government takes from them than to permit foreign companies to engage in the coastwise trade. It may be something of a hardship to our steamship lines to be compelled to give up their vessels for the use of the government. This hardship should not be increased by giving them competitors in the coastwise trade. Foreign vessels admitted to this trade for a time, would not have the reason that would operate with those who intended to continue the service to accommodate shippers. If not more than enough of them engaged in the trade to meet its bare necessities they would have no reason to deal liberally with the people. They would have reason to charge high prices for transportation if there were not more than enough ships to handle the business. On the other hand these companies might charge lower rates than were just if enough of them engaged in the trade to fully supply its needs. For the smallest profit would be better than no profit at all. This would be of temporary benefit to the shippers but a steady reasonable price for transportation is better for all concerned than fluctuating prices.

The coastwise companies of the United States might be permitted to lease and use foreign vessels while they needed them and while the vessels were not in use. In this way the needs of both sides would be met and the needs of the people would be served.—Jacksonville Times-Union.