National Affairs: Advice Asked

The Shipping Board recently asked owners of ships to make proposals for changes in Federal shipping laws which, in their opinion, would reduce the operating costs of American ships. The American Steamship Owners’ Association sent in a report calling the present laws, “antiquated and un-satisfactory.” It suggested:

1) that the Department of Commerce be authorized to prepare new regulations for measurement of vessels, construction of hulls, etc., and for the establishing of a “load line”;

2) that the tariff on repairs and equipment obtained abroad by American ships be.repealed;

3) that the present requirement that 65% of deck crews be able-bodied seamen be repealed;

4) that the language test be repealed so far as it applies to U. S. vessels in competitive foreign trade;

5) that the requirements for lifeboat men be made uniform with those of the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea;

6) that the obligatory partial payment of wages to seamen while on voyage be repealed, because it encourages desertion, delays and loss of efficiency.