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\ t national defense requirements. He noted that the justifications, "argu- ments and cliches of the past have become shopworn." Mr. Hood explained: "For years, the American merchant marine has been described as our Fourth Arm of Defense. But lately, there have been veiled comments from Penta- gon sources questioning the need of an American merchant marine on the grounds that lower cost Clyde worlts. National Interest First Consideration In Fleet Expansion Addressing The Rotary Club of Baltimore, Edwin M. Hood, presi- dent, Shipbuilders Council of America, said that "changing times demand that shipping and shipyard capabilities need to be justified in the broad spectrum of the national interest and not as a fragment of NATO fleets and flags of conveni- ence vessels—ships of other na- tions—may be able to provide mili- tary transport capabilities as need- ed. "Moreover, these days," he add- ed, "one can never be certain whether national planning—as it relates to ships and shipbuilding —is based on emergency contin- gencies of 90 days, three years or longer. The recent decision to sell certain stockpiled materials, we are told, is based on the postulate that the next war will not last longer than one year. Yet, one can never be certain whether U.S. shipyard capabilities are adequate to meet unspecified mobilization require- ments, even for that limited pe- riod." Edwin M. Hood Calling for upgrading of nation- al decision-making and policy im- plementation "to restore the United States to a position of maritime prominence," Mr. Hood urged greater emphasis on trade move- ments as a foundation for improv- ing U.S. maritime endeavors. He said : "... as trade movements ex- pand, new and more ships are re- quired and must be built, and American shipyards will be increas- ingly more active." He suggested "high-level coordi- nation to ensure that an expansion of trade will equate to an expan- sion of shipbuilding" and "a pro- gram correlation between these two elements with specific mile- stones to be reached in an orderly fashion." A goal of 30 percent car- riage (compared to present 6 per- cent) of U.S. exports and imports by American-flag shipping, 'he said, "is not overly selfish, nor unreal- istic or beyond attainment." The Shipbuilders Council is a national industry trade association composed of shipbuilders, ship re- pairers and allied suppliers. Midland Enterprises Names Two Presidents For Maritime Firms The appointments of two presi- dents for two companies in the Mid- land Enterprises Group of marine transport subsidiaries of Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates of Bos- ton, have been announced by Louis R. Fiore, president of Mid- land and senior vice pr-esident-ma- rine of Eastern. Edward J. O'Donnell was named president of Chotin Transporta- tion, Inc. of New Orleans, La., to succeed Capt. Scott Chotin, who is retiring after nearly 40 years with the barge company. Mr. O'Donnell, who has been with Chotin since 1961, has served as executive vice president for the last four years. William D. Oliver, vice president and general manager of Port Allen Marine Service, Inc. since 1967, was named president of the firm, which operates a ship construction and repair yard near Baton Rouge, La. 26 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News you put Clyde equipment on the job, it works—harder, faster and longer. Clyde makes Whirleys, Sea-Whirler Post Cranes, Hoists, Derricks, Anchor-Pulling Winches, Shearlegs, and Overhead and Gantry Cranes. And Clyde provides the right capacity for your materials handling application. If putting it all in place is your line, tie in with the Clyde line. Clyde works. When CLYDE c/o Equipment Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 95 Port Deposit, Maryland 21904 Phone: (301) 378-3111 A Microdot Company
