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Our Commerce Must be Independent of Foreign Shipping Lines By Robert C. Hill ET it be clearly understood that there is nothing either jingoistic or chauvinistic in a pro-American merchant marine policy. We recognize and will always respect the rights of all nations on the seas, but we pro- pose to hold tenaciously to the principle of encouragement for private initiative in building up American overseas shipping services so that our commerce will not be wholly de- pendent on foreign carriers. Jefferson Myers, recently reappointed shipping board commissioner from the North- west, is a staunch supporter of a privately owned and: operated merchant marine. Editor’s Note adopted and is attempting to carry out a merchant marine policy of aid and encouragement to private interests in building up an overseas merchant marine. The success or failure of this policy will depend in.a great measure on the character of those selected to earry it out. All friends of an American merchant marine will therefore commend President Hoover’s re- appointment on June 5, of Jefferson Myers as shipping board commissioner. Since his first appointment by President Coolidge, June 15, 1926, he has worked with great energy for building up an efficient and adequate privately owned American merchant marine. He has studied the problems of ship- ping, the disposition of government owned tonnage, the most practical and effective measures for aiding private interests in establishing modern services with up-to- date modern ships capable of competing with foreign rivals. There is nothing narrow or parochial in his at- titude. While capably serving his own section he has always considered the interests of the nation as a whole. He has encouraged the organization of regular services on the Pacific. He has been persistent in his efforts for the establishment of American lines between the North Pacific and Europe. “It is exceedingly unwise’ Commissioner Myers said in urging American lines from the North Pacific to Eu- rops, “to have the commerce of so large a section of our country almost wholly dependent upon foreign owned Shipping lines. If, through some crisis, the refrigerated foreign ships were to be withdrawn from the Pacific Coast service, the vast fruit crop which amounts to mil- lions of dollars would be left without any transporta- tion other than by rail shipments from the Pacific to the Atlantic, thence by water to European markets and would lie on the docks to rot, with millions of dollars lost to the fruit growing and other industries of the Pacific coast.’’ When largely through his efforts the shipping board retired from operations on the Pacific, one of the com- Te whole world knows that the United States has Commissioner Jefferson Myers panies organized to take over government tonnage, was the Tacoma Oriental Steamship Co., a community enter- prise. In commenting on the enthusiasm of Tacoma citizens in establishing a regular service under private ownership and operation, Commissioner Meyers said: “If everyone of the ports of this country emulated your example, the problem of building up a merchant marine would be greatly simplified. I am interested in your project for a dependable American service with Tacoma as its home port to take care of your local re- quirements. One of the ways in which all can help this local and semi-public enterprise is to make it a point to specify that all incoming shipments from the Orient over which you have any control, shall be shipped via the Tacoma Oriental line.’’ The problems of the American merchant marine have been summarized by Commissioner Myers as follows. “Suecessful competition in the world’s market is predicated on the delivered price of a commodity in first class condition and in the shortest time. These requirements can only be fulfilled by a nation owning and controlling its ocean transportation, therefore, one of the most vital issues confronting the American people today is the question of providing the nation with ade- quate sea power. This affects the welfare of the entire American people, both from the standpoint of peace and prosperity.’’ Jefferson Myers was born in a log cabin at Scio, Ore., Aug. 8, 1863. His mother, born in Hillsboro, N. C., crossed the continent in a covered wagon at the age of eleven with her parents and settled in Oregon territory. His father, David Myers, left Youngstown, O., in 1847 for California via Panama in search of gold. He was the eldest of 12 children and helped to rear his broth- ers and sisters. He attended Willamette university at Salem, Ore., where he studied law, earning his way through school. He was admitted to the bar in 1880. Among the public positions of trust and honor he has held was that of president of the Lewis & Clark Cen- tennial Exposition commission in 1904, MARINE REview—August, 1931 53 i i | f ; |