The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-17
THE ORIENTAL TRADE.

DRESIDENT JAMES J. HILL of the Great
! DNorthern Railroad Company is reported to
- have stated recently that his road was compelled
to refuse haul 10000 tons of steel rails and 10000
600 pounds of cotton wanted in Japan and China be-
cause there ships at the Puget Sound ter
minus OF his road by which to transport that large
quantity of American produce to Asatic ports.
From this showing two conclusions are to be
drawn. First, that the Great Northern Railway, as
well as all other transcontinenta lines should have d
rect communication with San Francisco the shipping
center of the Pacific Coast in order to have the adj
vantage of the facilities for transportation that
afforded here. Second, that steps should be taken
by our Government to promote merchant marine
that it will be fully equal the demands that are
being made upon it by increasing trade with the
Orient.
The second view of the situation has been taken
by Mr.. Hill and in the course of the interview from
which We have quoted strongly presented by him.
He is reported to have said: My judgment is that
the fearful sums of money which the Government OF
the United States has been compelled pay for
binary transport steamships suitable to be used in
times of war will compel Congress to take such
ton as will induce American capital once more to
find investment in the merchant marine that may be
sailed under the stars and stripes II it does not then
stagnation must settle down again over American
products simply because famine won't last forever
and the United States is at the mercy of foreign trans
portation companies operating the business of the
world upon water. The American people must de-
mand of their Congress such laws as will enable the
United States to compete with other nations and not
be compelled to rely on the marine commerce of
other nations
Mr.. Hill is in his political affiliations Democrat
but this statement shows that his business sense and
experience compel him to support Republican poll
cies where the industrial and commercial interests of
the country are concerned. The upbuilding Of an
American merchant marine is distnctively Repub-
lcan doctrine and one OF the clearest utterances
of the Republican national problem adopted at the
convention of 1896 pledged the party the enact
of legislation to that end
The outbreak of the war with Spain and the con-
sequent occupation of the energies of Congress in
providing for the expenses OF the conflict prevented
any action at the last session of Congress in fulfill
ment of the party pledge While that was greatly to
be regretted, the delay is not without its compensa-
tons. Prior to the the country had but faint
idea of the urgent need of an enlarged mercantile
marine. The subject is better understood now In
fact the results of the have increased the need
Men of all parties favorable to the adoption
of such legislation The views OF Mr. Hill are shared
by thousands of business men who like him. are
Democrats, but have learned from their own ex-
perience that this issue the Republican party is
right. We have the produce for sale and the market
waits Let provide at the shipping to carry
it where the demand calls for it