corporated in the resolution. These provisions are entirely satisfactory to me, as far as I know, and the proponents of the measure to release these ships. The additional provisions give the Maritime Commission the power to insert in any sale or charter contract the terms which will regulate the further disposition of any vessel sold or chartered, and which can limit the time of chartering, as far as that is concerned. Consequently, Mr. Chairman, in order to incorporate these suggested changes I have introduced a new resolution, House Joint Resolution No. 519, which I ask be considered this morning in lieu of the original resolution. The CHAIRMAN. It is being considered. Mr. Buck. I want to call your attention to the fact very briefly that on September 1, 1939, there were in the Atlantic-Pacific intercoastal general cargo trade, and this does not include tankers, I may say, 135 ships of a deadweight tonnage of 1,337,353 tons. On April 8, 1940, there were only 86 of these ships left in this trade, with a deadweight tonnage of 881,359 tons, a loss to the trade of 49 ships, and a decrease in percentage of 36.3 percent, and a loss in tonnage of 455,994 tons, or a decrease of 34 percent in tonnage. Now, it is quite obvious that the general cargo trade, which is usually a westeast movement, as far as that is concerned, has been seriously hampered and impaired by the loss of that tonnage. It seems to us obvious that there will probably be, also, a further decrease in tonnage unless something is done to assist this movement. At the moment there appear to be no other means of replacing this tonnage than by utilizing this sterilized fleet. We feel that this matter is of sufficient importance to merit your earnest and immediate consideration. Mr. Chairman, that is all I have to say. I desire to present a number of witnesses here this morning, and no doubt there are others who will appear on their own behalf. If there are any questions, I should be glad to answer them. The CHAIRMAN. Are there any questions? Mr. BUCK. I should like to add that this resolution has been endorsed unanimously by the delegations of the three Pacific Coast States in the House. Mr. WELCH. The principle was endorsed? Mr. Buck. Yes, the principle was endorsed. Mr. WELCH. I desire to state that the resolution now under consideration, which is House Joint Resolution 519, is a vast improvement over the prior resolution, 509, in this respect, that it is more specific. I refer to the language commencing on page 2, line 5 [reading]: be sold or chartered by the Commission, upon competitive bids and after due advertisement, upon such terms and conditions (including with respect to charters the charter period) and subject to such restrictions (including restrictions affecting the use or disposition of the vessel by the purchaser or charterer). That question was raised by me at the conference of the west Coast representatives referred to by Congressman Buck, that care should be exercised to see to it that the resale of laid-up ships to people who might acquire them for speculative purposes, was brought about by REMOVAL OF RESTRICTION ON USE OF LAID-UP FLEET MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES SEVENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS THIRD SESSION ON H. J. Res. 519 JOINT RESOLUTION AMENDING SECTION 510 (g) OF MERCHANT MARINE ACT, 1936 APRIL 24, 1940 Printed for the use of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries DIV. CONTENTS Statement of— Angell, Hon. Homer D., Representative in Congress from Oregon.... Buck, Hon. Frank H., Representative in Congress from Washington_. Gant, Charles H., Board of Harbor Commissioners, Wilmington, Del. - Geyer, Hon. Lee E., Representative in Congress from California.. Hayes, George V., Pacific Northwest Millers Association_ Ingebretsen, James C., Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Lacey, Edward F., National Industrial Traffic League.. Magnuson, Hon. Warren G., Representative in Congress from Wash- Morgan, C. B., Rayonier Co.. Mott, Hon. James W., Representative in Congress from Oregon_ Page 14 58 6 36 16 40 43 60 57 30 42 53 15 32 41 61 52 17 62 34 62 47 Petersen, Capt. W. J., Pacific American Steamship Association_ 54 54 Robinson, Lee, National Lumber Exporters' Association_ 44 34 Shanley, Hon. James A., Representative in Congress from Connecti- 13 Smith, H. Sidney, Hiden Storage & Forwarding Co., Newport News, 46 Smith, Hon. Martin F., Representative in Congress from Washington_ 8 62 Stone, W. G., transportation and industrial department, Sacramento 28 Taylor, Frank J., American Merchant Marine Institute_ 48 Thompson, H. M., Hampton Roads Maritime Exchange.. |