Transport: Sea Secrets

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Like the sea which zealously guards its secrets, representatives of 56 transatlantic, transpacific and far eastern navigation companies met last week in Atlantic City's Hotel Claridge. Almost unmentioned by the Press and unannounced by the Boardwalk City's convention bureau, the meeting was blandly described by shippers as a "routine conference." After two days' quiet confab delegates as quietly departed for their home ports in London, New York and on the Pacific coast.

Two days later it was briefly announced from Los Angeles that fares on Dollar, American Mail, Canadian Pacific and Nippon Yusen Kaisha lines had been upped approximately 7%. Another 3% will be added later. Lowest Dollar Line round-the-world tours will now cost $915 instead of $888; first-class minimum San Francisco-to-Manila $460 instead of $430. With a record season since 1929 just completed, Atlantic fares are also due to move upward.