Business: Munson to I. M. M.

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Since the War the law of nature which has ruled U. S. shipping has been the Survival of the Fewest. One after another the many shipping lines which the Shipping Board created in the 1920's have merged or formed alliances; notably Roosevelt Steamship Co. with International Mercantile Marine, both with the Dollar-Dawson Pacific coast interests to control U. S. Lines. Last week was announced the passing of the independent existence of another famed line, Munson, whose ships flying a blue flag bearing a white M have carried many a passenger and many a cargo between the U. S., the Caribbean and the east coast of South America.

P. A. S. Franklin, head of I. M. M. and Frank C. Munson, son of Yankee Walter D. Munson who founded a line to Cuba some 50 years ago, came to terms, agreed that I. M. M. should buy control of Munson Steamship Line, that Son Frank and the Munson organization should move over to the I. M. M. offices and start doing business as one company. Not only the Munson office building at No. 67 Wall St. and the Munson hotels (Royal Victoria and Colonial) at Nassau but also the famed S. S. American Legion, Western World, Southern Cross, Pan America and 25 other lesser vessels like the Munargo, Mundolphin, Munmystic, Mundixie, a fleet of 147,000 tons, are to pass to I. M. M. on terms yet unannounced.