Evening journal., 1888-08-03
sUBsTDIzE AMERICAN SHIPS

If it were not for the superior.facili-
ties offered us ( by foreign subsidized
steamship lines, we should, indeed, be
badly off for ocean mail accomoda-
tions. The policy Of our government,
by its neglect Of our shipping interests.
has actually starved out the American
lines, and the country is now COM
PEELED to look upon the Illuminating
sight OF foreign line monopolizing
our carrying trade and drawing its
sustenance from our treasury. The
spirit Of 1776 and 1912 is no more. In
1776, true patriotic spirit slumbered
in the breasts of American citizens,
ready to blaze up at any unwonted in
reference Of England in our affairs.
In 1912, the small but determined
American navy stubbornly resisted the
encroachments on our commerce Of
England, the once boasted mistress
Of the seas" America for Americans
was then the watchword. The fiery.
patriotic statesmen OF 1919, ever soli-
citous for his country's welfare, is now
transformed into the trucking profess
sional politician, ever ready to sell his
country's political birth right for a
mess Of government pottage.
Subsidy That most abused word,
Our tender-footed legislator approaches
it, touches it gingerly and Immediately
sets up a great hue and cry about
''greedy steamship lines" The cause,
of course, is the threatened refusal Of
his unenlightened constituents, il he
lives away from the coast, to re elect
him. What kind of men are these to
send to Congress? Men who prefer
their own re- election and advancement
to the ruin Of their own country's best
interest.
n We have finally arrived at the con-
clusion that the word subsidy" is most
thoroughly and lamentably misunder-
stood. Webster defines subsidy" as
support, said" etc. No other APP
plicable definition is given. What il
there to fear and fight shy of in the
little word ''aid." What did Congress
do when it appropriated money to es-
tablish AID maintain the post Office de
partment? Il simply "aided" the
American people to communicate more
readily and to interchange merchan
die to 6 small degree. What did Con
gress do when it appropriated money
to establish Public Land Officer i
''aided" the American people TO secure
comfortable homes in the great Yves
at erate'expense. Instances nigh
be multiplied in which our Nationa
Legislature has appropriated the PEG
pies money to laid" the people. VIVA
do the advocates of Subsidy" reques
of Congressf They merely ask tina
Congress pass laws to "aidn our mer
chant marine, and eventually to en-
able the American people to engage il
commercial intercourse with the ric
South American republics. 1t mean
an increase in the wealth Of this peopl
of the United States. Il means ne'
fields for commercial enterprise. TIL
cost would be inconsiderable, the re
sultaut gain immessurable. Yet
the face of these manifest advantage
the 'penny-wise pound foolish states
men cry out that it would waste tn
peoples money.
England, Germany, France an
Belgium subsidize their steamshi
lines and the consequence is that tn
ocean carrying trade has entirel
left American bottoms and gone
vessels Of these countries. Englan
is already reaching for the trade {
the young though vigorous Argentin
Republic. The Post Office depart
ment Of England, which has relation
with foreign enterprises, has recent
entered into a contract with the Argel
tine Republic to con ,truct ten steamel
Of at least 1000 tons burden and ]
knots per hour speed, to ply betwee
the north Of England and the ports {
the Argentine Republic, and fol
steam launches for emigrant service
Europe. Also four steamers to pl
between the United States and Il
ports Of the Argentine Republic.
viii thus be seen that the English a
sakin@ effective steps TO ent
suto compsrsIion ws1h as Il
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