 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Click on Image To Enlarge
autographs 
autographs |
Document 3362 FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT "Today, even more than in 1939, the world situation requires that we develop a merchant marine capable of handling our commerce as foreign ships are withdrawn because of the war...." TLS: "Franklin D. Roosevelt" as 32nd U.S. President, 1p, 6¾x8. The White House, Washington, 1940 November 18. To Thomas A. Scott, National President, The Propeller Club of the United States, American Merchant Marine Conference, Hotel Roosevelt, New Orleans. In full: "It is a pleasure to felicitate your organization once more on the occasion of an American Merchant Marine Conference. The educational and promotional work which, I am informed, the Propeller Club has maintained in behalf of American ships and shipping is a desirable accompaniment of the Maritime Commission's 500-ship building program. World conditions have not improved since your last conference. Today, even more than in 1939, the world situation requires that we develop a merchant marine capable of handling our commerce as foreign ships are withdrawn because of the war, and of serving as the supply auxiliary of the Navy. The Maritime Commission's construction program and your educational efforts in forwarding that program are therefore of special value in these troubled days." The Propeller Club idea was conceived in New York in the latter part of 1922, when a small group of men engaged in the marine industry gathered frequently at luncheon to discuss mutual problems and the future of American shipping. As a result of the World War I shipbuilding program, there were a large number of vessels available, and the most pressing problem was how to make the best use of them. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 provided for the sale of government-owned ships and directed the United States Shipping Board to determine and establish world trade routes "for the promotion, development, expansion and maintenance of the foreign and coastwise trade of the United States". The original group expanded and on January 24, 1923, formal organization took place when the "Propeller Club of the Port of New York" was established. After further expansion into other port cities, The Propeller Club of the United States was founded four years later. The name "Propeller" was chosen as being emblematic of the driving force. Today, there are Propeller Club Ports in Guam, Hawaii and 28 clubs in 14 different countries overseas. In 1936, President Roosevelt signed the Merchant Marine Act. The goal of this act was to compensate U.S. ship owners for the higher cost of building vessels in U.S. shipyards and operating them under the U.S. flag. The availability or non-availability of merchant shipping in World War II determined what the Allies could or could not do militarily. In 1941 and 1942, the number of Allied ships sunk exceeded those built (3000 to 900). In the next three years, the last years of the war, U.S. ships built exceeded those sunk by 4800 to 950. In addition, slow turnarounds, convoy delays, roundabout routing and long voyages taxed transport severely. The cross-Channel invasion planned for 1942 had to be postponed for many months for reasons that included insufficient shipping. Had these ships not been produced, the war would have been in all likelihood prolonged many months, if not years. Merchant ships were needed to carry the personnel, supplies and equipment needed by the combined Allies to defeat the Axis powers. It took seven to 15 tons of supplies to support one soldier for one year. President Roosevelt, in this letter, realizes the importance of the shipbuilding program of the Merchant Marine "serving as the supply auxiliary of the Navy". Just 13 months later, Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States entered World War II. Folds, none near signature. File hole in upper left blank corner. Lightly creased. Overall, fine condition. Framed in the Gallery of History style: 21¼x21. SEE IF DOCUMENT 3362 IS FOR SALE RIGHT NOW!!
|
||
|
|
|
Autograph Archive Index
Copyright © 2005 Gallery of History, Inc. All rights reserved.