Show war shipbuilding loss Is billion and half washington the united states will have to write off on its books a loss ot of approximately on oil account of its merchant shipbuilding program it was said by congressmen familiar alth the merchant marine problems that confronted this country at the beginning of the lie war and the herculean efforts made by the government during the war to supply the needed ships had fillad the war lasted another year the advantages and benefits of this wonderful effort an and vast outlay ot of money would have been clearly apparent to all commented representative alexander former chairman of the house merchant marine committee alexander Is asdal assisting lug in shaping a permanent national merchant shipping policy and in fashioning legislation that will guide the country in its future handling of the great fleet of merchant ships it now owns and tay may continue to own tor for years c s to come |