At present the Shipping Board exercises large administrative functions
independent of the Executive. These administrative functions should be
transferred to the Department of Commerce, in keeping with that single
responsibility which has been the basis of our governmental structure since
its foundation. There should be created in that department a position of
Assistant Secretary for Merchant Marine, under whom this work and the
several bureaus having to do with merchant marine may be grouped.
The Shipping Board should be made a regulatory body acting also in advisory
capacity on loans and policies, in keeping with its original conception.
Its regulatory powers should be amended to include regulation of coastwise
shipping so as to assure stability and better service. It is also worthy of
consideration that the regulation of rates and services upon the inland
waterways should be assigned to such a reorganized board.