U. S. v. Cunard

Havana, Orizaba, Siboney, Mexico, San Jacinto and Monterey. . . .

Thus, melodiously, did the Ward Line christen the ships of the profitable Havana trade. Year after year, they have plied comfortably and euphoniously between Cuba and New York, carrying many a lodge brother, Greek-letter man, Pan-American conferee and others to whom Havana has offered, since 1919, increasingly attractive facilities for convivial conventions.

To the Ward Line's Havana-bound list was abruptly added, last week, the President Roosevelt. Alphabetically, the new ship fitted in between the Orizaba and the San Jacinto. Actually, it at once became the unofficial flagship of the Ward Line fleet, featured in every advertisement as offering "expedited service (fastest ever known) between New York and Havana."

As everyone knows, the President Roosevelt has been one of the most popular trans-Atlantic ships of the U. S. Lines. Its transfer to another service could only be justified by the existence of an emergency in U. S. shipping. That such an emergency did exist was the theme, last week, of energetic statements from the U. S. Shipping Board and the leaders of the New York-Havana trade. Across from Southampton had steamed, as usual, the Cunarder Caronia, bearing 13 disciples of Isadora Duncan and 587 other passengers. But the Caronia had not steamed, as usual, back to England. Instead, she had paused in New York only long enough to take aboard a capacity passenger list for the first Cunard trip to Havana.

To U. S. Lines, this constituted a declaration of war. "Unwarranted intrusion!" cried President Franklin D. Mooney of the Ward Line. Vowed Chairman T. V. O'Connor of the Shipping Board: "The service of the President Roosevelt will be continued as long as that of the Caronia." Switching from ethics to economics, the Ward Line began a price-cutting struggle. Already 10% lower than the Caronia's schedule, first-class fares were slashed 25% more, to $120, round trip. The United Fruit Co., operating four ships, and the Munson Line, planning only one winter trip, followed suit. Cunard rates remained at $175, gave no indication of meeting the unprecedented cut. But Cunard threatened to bring suit against the Shipping Board, charging illegal competition.

U. S. citizens, contemplating Havana vacations, could pick between two 20,000-ton ships, each a trans-Atlantic veteran, each the favorite of many a tourist. The President Roosevelt was obviously cheaper. What were other pros and cons? Prospective travelers weighed them.

For the President Roosevelt:

Ethical. U. S. citizens, devoted to their laws, will approve the Shipping Board's decision to serve no liquor aboard the President Roosevelt.

Practical. U. S. citizens favor youth, speed. As against the Caronia, the President Roosevelt is younger (15 years), and faster (four hours*).

Sentimental. U. S. citizens like to patronize U. S. industry. Particularly do they like to honor the late great President Theodore Roosevelt, friend of Cuba, rugged rissaldar of Rough Riders at San Juan Hill (1898).

For the Caronia:

Practical. Some U. S. citizens, obedient to prohibition laws at home, enjoy cocktails, wines, on the high seas. British-owned, the Caronia maintains an excellent bar, serves choice wines with meals.

Cunard service is world-famed.

The Caronia has been refurnished, redecorated, for the Havana run.

*Estimated. The President Roosevelt has not yet made the run.