Show FREIGHT IT KIN RATES IN US U.S. U. U S. S VESSELS GOING DOWN Washington Jan 18 Early Early action toward carrying out the tho proposal to write rHo off ott about 30 per cent of at the tho war cost coat of at American shipping was forecast today In official quarters and at tho the same samo time It was said Bald this step would bo followed by a sl shipping board order sharply reducing existing freight rates ratos In American bottoms This policy under tinder which It Is 18 In- In d d to charge to profit and loss Joss j In-j nearly a n billion Millon dollars of or throe billions bil- bil lions llona which merchant craft cratl In this thia country countr cost to build during tho the war was formulated by Chairman Hurley of ot tho the shipping board now In France and tho the news of at It reached ached hero here Thursday through Associated Tress Press dispatches dispatcher drom Paris Thero still has hns been no of- of Idol announcement from tram tho the shipping hoard board but those do familiar with tho the plan not hesitate to to discuss It Informally Informal Informal- ly and to say that It Is designed to put tho rho American merchant marine marino on a h solid financial basis and pa pave pavo 0 the way for fOJ a a. satisfactory satisfactory- readjustment of ot ocean rates ratas Impracticable on tho tiro bal basis of at Inflated war war cost valuations |