Build or Rebuild?

The Shipping Board adopted a resolution expressing a change of its plans in regard to rebuilding two of its large passenger vessels. A ship which has borne the names of three famous but ill-assorted men (Kaiser Wilhelm II, President Harding and now Agamemnon) and the Mount Vernon (formerly Kronprinzessin Cecile) were to be reconditioned at a cost of $4,000,000 each.

The shipyards were looking forward eagerly to the work which would keep their large forces of workmen busy. But when the specifications for reconditioning were finally completed the minimum cost was discovered to be at least $8,000,000 for each ship.

The Agamemnon and Mount Vernon are 20 years old. The Shipping Board estimated that similar ships could be built new for $12,000,000 each. The conclusion was obvious: $8,000,000 apiece was too much for reconditioning. Instead, the Board announced its intention of asking Congress for money to build two new ships. It is more or less problematic whether Congress will grant the money and sink more money in the expensive business of ship owning, which at present is popularly supposed to be costing the Government $50,000,000 a year.

[However, the chief difficulties of the Shipping Board are with its cargo and not with its passenger ships.]