xxxvi INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS. 



nations engaged in conflict, and to discuss the subject other than from the scientific stand- 

 point would be apt to cause bitter thoughts and remarks which we have no desire to arouse. 



The daily press has pubHshed columns from the pens of noted men of afifairs on the 

 advisability of preparedness and of unpreparedness for war. 



Without going deeply into these subjects, it would seem that so long as national racial 

 tendencies exist and desires for empire supposedly for the interest of the citizens of each 

 nation, tendencies and desires that develop the consecration and patriotism so pre-eminently 

 shown at present in Europe, just so long will there be battleships, airships, submarines and all 

 of the other dreadful paraphernalia of conflict in which as naval architects and marine en- 

 gineers we must be interested. The old contest of guns versus armor will be accompanied 

 by the newer conflicts of airships and submarines versus battleships, cruisers, destroyers and 

 the like. We would very much prefer to devote the greater part of our energy, skill and in- 

 dustry in building up a merchant marine worthy of our great country, but until a world 

 agreement can be reached, and made absolutely perpetual, to abandon these other imple- 

 ments, be they for war or protection against war, this country must have its share, and you 

 who design, construct and operate the same must keep in touch with their developments and 

 must be able to produce in the future, as in the past, the best of each class. 



Your President in his address at the 1910 meeting in brief said: — "Some day * * * 

 the people of this great nation * * * y^\\i realize the supreme importance of having 

 ships and yards in which to build them ; will realize that we are deliberately passing to for- 

 eigners annually enormous sums which should be earned by our own citizens ; and they will 

 come to themselves, will unite on tlie right course, will demand from their representatives a 

 change from the present condition, and they will get it." He then had no thought of the con- 

 dition of affairs now existing. The great European war accomplished in one short month 

 what years of debate in and out of Congress failed to accomplish. It brought directly to the 

 personal interest of agriculturists and some manufacturers the great need for them of a mer- 

 chant marine; and over-night almost there was a great demand for American ships which the 

 futile legislation of years past had failed to provide. 



So great has this demand been during the past few months that hasty legislation of 

 various kinds has been proposed, and some enacted. 



The rider to the Act of August 12, 1912, passed for the management of the Panama 

 Canal and the government of the Panama Zone, permitted under certain conditions the ad- 

 mission of foreign-built vessels to American registry for trade with foreign countries. 



No owners of such vessels took advantage of this opportunity to come under the Ameri- 

 can flag, for the simple reason that our other laws and customs compel a much greater cost 

 of operation under the American flag than that of any other nation. 



On August 18, 1914, an amendment to the Panama Canal Act just mentioned was 

 passed changing the conditions of that Act and authorizing the President in his discretion 

 to suspend the provisions regarding the nationality of watch officers and the requirements 

 of survey, inspection and measurement. 



This amendment practically went into effect on September 8, and since that date the 

 dangers of war have caused ninety-seven vessels of 339,153 gross tonnage to be transferred 

 from foreign to American registry. These vessels, owned by American corporations or in- 

 dividuals, were previously built and operated under foreign flags because of the much less cost 

 of so doing. 



Whether these vessels and others that follow their example will remain under the Amer- 



