FOREWORD The Shipping Act of 1916, approved September 7, 1916, was amended by the Act of July 15, 1918, which further limits the vesting of titles in vessels and also adds eight new sections, dealing in the main with acts declared to be unlawful while the United States is at war. This booklet contains a complete text of the Shipping Act of 1916, with the amendments of 1918 appearing in italics; the Act empowering the President to prescribe rates and requisition vessels, approved July 18, 1918, together with his Proclamation under its provisions and other pertinent data. November, 1918. United States Shipping Act Purpose "To establish a United States Shipping Board for the purpose of encouraging, developing, and creating a naval auxiliary and naval reserve and a merchant marine to meet the requirements of the commerce of the United States with its Territories and possessions and with foreign countries; "To regulate carriers by water engaged in the foreign and interstate commerce of the United States; "And for other purposes." United States Shipping Board Five Commissioners To be appointed by President, with consent of Senate (§3, 11), to serve for six years, except that commissioners first appointed shall serve for two, three, four, five and six years, respectively, as designated by the President (§3, ¶2); Board to elect annually one member as chairman and one as vice chairman (§3, ¶1). Commissioners shall be appointed with regard to fitness for their duties and a fair representation of the geographical divisions of the country (§3, ¶3). May be removed for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. A vacancy shall not impair right of remaining members of the Board to exercise all its powers. Official seal shall be judicially noticed. Not more than three commissioners to be appointed from same political party; shall not be actually engaged in any other business, or in the employ of or hold any official relations to any common carrier by water or other person subject to this Act or be pecuniarily interested therein (§3, ¶3). Salary $7,500.00 each. (84, 91). All employees except secretary, a clerk to each commissioner, attorneys, naval architects and special experts and examiners shall be appointed from lists of eligibles supplied by the Civil Service Commission. (§4, ¶2) |