speed, Elegance and Luxury : 355 



Should the Atlantic nations become an effective reality and achieve 

 a measure of collective security, we may expect a brilliant period 

 ahead in transatlantic transport, travel and communication. Given 

 among these nations a reasonable preservation of individual, social 

 and economic freedom, we may expect a brilliant future upon and 

 about the Atlantic Ocean. Increasing technological development in 

 all countries will increase rather than diminish the demand for trans- 

 oceanic freight accompanied by an increased volume of transatlantic 

 travel. 



It is highly desirable socially, nationally and even internationally 

 that Atlantic air services be enormously increased. At present both 

 steamers and airlines are overtaxed in the busy seasons. Neither 

 method of travel can take care of all the eager customers in peak sea- 

 son. In matter of cost, comfort, relaxation and conveniences like the 

 transport of adequate baggage the steamers offer advantages to the 

 traveler. In freight or express the air services handle only a small 

 amount of specialized business. Furthermore, factors tending to in- 

 crease transatlantic air services will for a considerable time in the 

 foreseeable future have an even greater effect on water-borne travel 

 and transportation. 



There will continue to be big ship enthusiasts and little ship en- 

 thusiasts and each class will argue enthusiastically and cogently for 

 their particular specialty. For a long time there has been discussion 

 about the possibility of developing a small to moderate size vessel 

 that could cross the ocean at what we must currently regard as ex- 

 tremely high speeds. There are many good arguments including rela- 

 tive safety from certain forms of attack in times of national emer- 

 gency or war which speak in favor of a special effort to create such 

 a type of vessel. Cost is one of the chief problems. Whether social, 

 economic and national factors will arise to justify such a develop- 

 ment is at present in doubt. 



The thing that seems most likely is that ships will continue to 

 develop in great variety and number in a great range of sizes for 

 many special purposes. As in the past, some new and specialized 

 form of ship will undoubtedly be developed to meet new conditions. 

 It will be hailed as a revolutionary triumph but this will not neces- 

 sarily mean that it will supplant other sizes and forms of vessels nor 

 inhibit the later development of still other types. At the present writ- 

 ing engines and motors for the use of ships and other propulsive 

 methods, including the possibility of propulsion by atomic power, 



