Transport: Transatlantic Tussle

*Last week the Maritime Commission called for bids on twelve new fast cargo ships, some of which American Export will presumably buy. The specifications are for single screw steel ships: length, 435 ft.; breadth, 63 ft.; draft, 25¼ ft.; speed 15½ knots (about 17½ m.p.h. 6 m.p.h. faster than average U. S. freighters); range, 13,000 miles; to cost around $1,700,000 each and to be completed within 14 months. All must be swiftly convertible into useful war vessels.