Alexander Committee

Summary of Alexander Committee

A congressional investigative committee that, starting in 1912, enquired into the commercial practices of the maritime shipping industry. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effects of foreign flag dominated shipping cartels upon the waterborne commerce of the United States. After two years of enquiry, the committer came to the following conclusions: that rate conferences are useful in stabilizing service and rates; the international character of the industry is such that unilateral action on the part of the United States would not correct abuses; conferences could be de facto regulatory bodies within the industry, and the conferences themselves could be regulated by legislative action; and certain discriminatory practices should be abolished by law. The recommendations of the committee were largely accepted and implemented in the Shipping Act of 1916 and creation of the United States Shipping Board, precursor of the FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (read this and related legal terms for further details).

(Main Author: William J. Miller)