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Show WHAT SHIPPING MEANS TO WEST : The Review of Reviews in its last issue publishes following figures: j Washington. Oregon and California, between April 1, 1917, and May 1, 1918, launched 202 steel ships, of which 100 were launched in first four months of 1918. Total dead weight tonnage of the 202 was 1,332,396; of the 100 it was 646,316. The average tonnage was thus 6596. If average of first four months of year is kept up, Pacific coast yards of U. S. would turn out, in steel ships alone, one-third of all tonnage that the submarine has been destroying. This showing should thoroughly j awaken coast citizens to the value of : ! shipbuilding industry and necessity of i j legislation which will build up an Am- j erican Merchant Marine after the war. j Present legislation and regulation j virtually wiped the American flag off j the Pacific until war necessities brought : abnormal conditions under which our : ships could compete. With peace will come same danger ; of loss of shipping and shipbuilding unless we change our legislation and ; give American ship owners an equal : chance with foreigners. ; : |