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538 RECORD AND GUIDE November 9, 1918 Merchant Marine in Reconstruction Period James A. Farrell, President of U. S. Steel Corporation, Says Economic Warfare Depends on Peace Terms tion as a belligerent in the war. "It is fortunate for us," continues the report, "that TIIE important part the American merchant marine should play (íuring the reconstruction period in this country after the war, and the vital neces- sity for a definite national merchant marine policy to assure American shijíowners of being able to compete on even terms vvith foreign vessels, vvere emphasized in a report of the Committee on Merchant Marine read vesterday at the lifth aiinual mceting of the National For- eign Trade Council, held iii thc lîiltmore Hotel. James A. Farrell, president of the United States Steel Cor])oration and chairman of the Council, presided at the meeting. Tn his address he said that our sui^reine duty one of our greatest contributions to the war will also render a most valuable service after peace has been re- stored. We are building the ships vvhich will be the most eft'ective agency in the permanent solution of these great after war problems. The extent of this service, however, is contingent upoii the adoption by this Gov- crnment of a definite maritime líolicy, which will per- mit the permanent retention and operation of these ves- sels under the American flag. This important matter should be taken up by Congress at once, to enable our was to see to it that the ternis of iieace should render im- shipowners and others interested to make the necessary possible the continuance of conditions sought to be cor- arrangements to take their proper place in the world's rected by economic warfare. "If the terms of peace are satisfactory," Mr. Farrell said, "there will be no need for economic warfare. If they are not satisfactory, economic warfare will be im- possible. With an adequate, just, and final peace we can go forward in confidence to meet and solve the numerous problems certain to arise from the coniplex and novcl conditions iiaturally flowing from the cata- clysm that has overwhelmcd tlie vvorld during tliese four years." The report of the Merchant Marine Committee, which is composed of James A. F;irreII, P. A. S. Franklin, and Robert Dollar, was adopted unanimously by the Coun- cil. It contended that ships vvould constitute the first factor in our great task of reconstruction, no less than they had constituted the first problem of our participa- commerce. The committee reconimends curtailing the construc- tion of wooden ships as soon as possible, in view of their inefficiency under normal conditions and the trans- formation into barges of the surplus steamships over those which can be operated economically. The engines and other machinery thus made available could be util- ized in steel hulls. The committee states emphatically tliat unless this country's national maritime policy is founded upon the principle that those operating vessels shall be assured of conditions which will enable them to meet the com- petition of all other maritime nations upon an equitable basis, the large merchant fleet which is now ours will cither be transferred to foreign registry or rust out a useless existence terniinating on the scrap-heap. Great Coal Saving in Manufacturing Plants THROUGH the co-operation of the industrial power plants, which have thus far put into force the standard recommendations of the United States Fuel Administration to promote efficiency in the use of fuel in povver plants, the department announces that a saving of seven million tons annually has been eft'ected. That is to say, in the first six months from the announcement of the national program, three and one-half million tons have been conserved, at the same time maintaining maximum production in the factories. The largest savings have been in the following states: Massachusetts, Pennsylvania. Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Missouri, Michigan, IMinnesota and Wisconsin. Some industrial plants vvhich have adopted the standard recommendations and kept systematic records report a fuel saving as high as 25 per cent., and the average is estimated between 10 per cent. and 15 per cent. This large economy is effected at practically no expense to the plant ovvner since the recommendations treat primarily of proper methods of firing and manage- ment in povver plants. A Fuel Administration campaign comprehends volun- tary service by engineer inspectors, lectures to fuel con- servation classes in educational institutions, addresses before public meetings, explanations of the program to power plants owners, and various forms of printed mat- ter and posters. For the efficient execution of the program of indus- trial conservation, under the plan developed, the engi- neers of the country have been mobilized through the professional societies and the operating engineers and firemen, and as a result there are today fifteen hundred volunteer engineer specialists and povver plant men or- ganized by states, inspecting power plants, classifying them according to their operating efficiency, and aiding the work of rapid development. As a direct result of the operation of this plan, it is estimated that the total annual saving throughout the country will be about twenty-five million tons of coal without reducing the output of the factories. Special printed material, in- structing the output of use of fuel, has been prepared by the United States Fuel Administration and may be ob- tained free of cost upon application. The campaign has been organized in consultation with the State Administrators, the Bureau of Mines, and the Committee of Consulting Engineers of the Engineering Council, which represents the four national engineering societies. These íour societies have contributed largely in supplying expert advice of engineering talent; special relations have been formed between the Fuel Adminis- tration and the National Association of the Stationary Engineers, the International Brotherhood of Stationary Firemen and Oilers, the Laundry Owners National As- sociation, the Portland Cement Association, and other national bodies who have given full co-operation to this national plan. Realty Boards' Legislative Program AT a meeting at the Real Estate Board rooms this week a sub-committee of the Board's legislative committee and a committee from another real estate organization, plans were outlined to bring about concerted effort at Albany this winter on legislative matters by real estate interests. In the past a numbcr of organizations sent repre- sentatives to Albany claiming to represent real estate. Sometimes the different representatives were in sharp conflict and the members of the legislature were unable to determine which of them correctly presented the views of real estate people. This winter it is hoped there will be community of thought and effort and united action. Only important measures will be con- sidcred and on these all vvork will be concentrated and ;i small committee charged with carrying out the wishes of the combined organizations. The Real Estate Board's complete program with full cxplanation of the reason for and object of proposed legislature will be ready for presentation to the mem- bers elect of the Legislature in a few days. W;ishington Market, thc first of New York's markets )n the West .Side, was originally called "Bear Market," )ecause bear meat was first sold in it. William and Beekman streets were named after Wil- liam Beekman, who owned most of the section now known as "The Swamp."