The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-06
VALUE OF MERCHANT MARINE.
Extension of Commercial Trade and
Strengthening of Power on Sea.


The value of an American merchant
mari2e to the extension of our CONNER
cial trade and the strengthening of our
power upon the sea invites the imme-
date action Of congress Our national
development will be one-sided and un-
satisfactory SO long as the remarkable
growth of our inland industries re-
mains unaccompanied by progress on
the seas. There is no lack of constitu-
tional authority for legislation which
shall give to the country maritime
strength commensurate with it's indus
trIal achievements, and with its rank
among the nations of the earth.
The past year has recorded excep-
tional activity in our shipyards. and the
promises OF continual prosperity -
ship building are abundant. Advanced
legislation for the protection of orr
seamen has been enacted. Our coast
trade. under regulations wisely framed.
al the beginning of the government and
since. shows results for the past fiscal
year unequaled in our records or those
of any other power. We shall fail to
realize our opportunities. however. if
we compiacently regard only matters ar
nome ana bind ourselves to the neces-
sity of securing our share in the val
liable carrying trade of the world.
Americas Small Share.
Last --ear American vessels trans
ported smaller share of our exports
ana imports than during any former
year in all our history, and the measure
CT our dependence upon foreign ship
ping was painfully manifested to our
people. Without any choice of our own
but from necessity, the departments of
the government charged with military
and naval operations in the East and
West Indies had 10 obtain from foreign
hasS merchant vessels essential for
those operations.
The other great nations have not
hesitated to adopt the required means
TO develop their shipping as a factor in
national defense and as one of the
surest and speediest means of obtain
ing for their producers a share in for
eign markets. Like vigilance and effort
on our part cannot fail 10 improve our
situation. which is regarded with hu-
initiation at home and with surprise
abroad. Even the seeming sacrifices
which at the beginning may be involved
will be offset later by more than equiv
alent gains. The expense is as nothing
compared to their advantage to be
achieved.
Favors Aid to Shipping.
The establishment of our merchant
marine involves in a large measure our
continued industrial progress and the
extension of our commercial triumphs.
am satisfied the judgment of the
country favors the policy of aid to our
merchant marine. which will broaden
our commerce and markets and up
build our sea carry capacity for the
products of agricultural and manufac-
ture, and which, with the increase of
our navy. mean more work and wages
to our countrymen, as well as a safe
guard to. American interests in every
part of the world. Combinations of
capital organized into trusts, TO control
the conditions of trade among our citi-
zens to stifie competition. limit produc-
ton and determine the prices of prod
ucts consumed by the people. are prob
ably provoking public discussion, and