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Worms & C°

Cardiff, Saturday, 17 February 1917
Messrs Worms & C° - Paris

Dear Sirs,
As doubtless you may have heard Shipbrokers in this Port have combined and established what they call "The Cardiff Institute of Shipbrokers", which line has been forced on them by the steady encroachment by London Officialdom and others of their rights and privileges, despite the understandings on which the Limitation Schemes for France and Italy were formed. Officialdom will listen only apparently to corporate representations; thus some such body was obviously necessary. Further, the War locally of late has dealt very hardly with Shipbrokers who have been in the habit of handling British steamers, the bulk of which being on requisition are not available for fixing on the market. The rest have largely been captured by London Shipbrokers, who have got into touch with Owners consequent on the necessity of having somebody there who knows the various officials, and can without delay know whom to approach to arrange the needful permits for any proposed voyages; and thus latter usually carry through the charters to the detriment of the Provincial Broker.
Most of these latter work departments for their respective employers and share Brokerages, and thus they suffer severely. Most of those originating the scheme have recently been asking us for advice; hence this coupled with the status of your firm has led to our being approached as per the enclosed circular letter amongst the very first people for practical sympathy. We pointed out that some of the Local Shipowners who have made such fabulous profits, ought to step into the breach, rather than the Merchant Firms who have fared less excellently; and as a matter of fact they are being asked to help, but hesitate to name definite extent, as none of them seemingly wish to start the ball, for fear of being outdone by their neighbours, a pitiable spirit but one rather badly shewn here lately by the"newly rich". Some idea of the aims of those running the scheme is evident by their application for £5.000 of War Loan Stock to create a Benevolent Fund, which we expect will be readily subscribed. Would you please say to what extent you will aid & oblige,
Yours very truly,

G. W. Moore