Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05
A Merchant Marine.

The value of an American merchant ma
rne to the extension Of our commercial
trade and the Strengthening of our power
upon the sea invites the Immediate action
of the Congress. Our national development
will be onesided and unsatisfactory so
long the remarkable growth of our in
land industries remains unaccompanied by
progress on the seas There is no lack of
constitutional authority for legislation
which shall give 10 the country maritime
strength commensurate with it's industrial
achievements and with its rank among the
nations of the earth.
The past year has recorded exceptional
activity in our shipyards. and the promises
of continual prosperity in shIpbuilding are
abundant. Advanced legislation for the
protection of our seamen has been en-
acted. Our coast trade. under regulations
wisely framed at the beginning of the gov
eminent and since, shows results for the
past fiscal year unequaIed in our records
or those Of any other power We shall fail
to realize our opportunities. however, if we
complacently regard only matters at home
and blind ourselves TO the necessity of Sc
curing our share in the valuable carrying
trade of the world.
Last year American vessels TRANSPORTED a
smaller share of our exports and imports
than during any former year in all our his
tory, and the measure of our dependence
upon foreign shipping was painfully mani
Tested to our people. Without any choice
Of our own. but from necessity the Depart
ments of the Government charged with
military and naval operations in the East
and West Indies had to obtain from for
eign flags merchant vessels essential for
those operations.
The other great nations have not hest
tated to adopt the required means to de-
velop their shipping as a factor in national
defense and as one of the surest and speed
| lest means of obtaining for. their producers
/ share in foreign markets. Like vigilance
and effort on our part cannot fail to i'm
prove our situation, which is regarded with
humiliation a. home and with surprise
abroad Even the seeming Sacrifices which
Ut 'Ae beginning may be involved, will be
| onset later by more than equivalent gains
Inc expense Is as nothing compared to
| the advantage % be achieved The re-es-
| adjustment of our merchant marine in
wolves in large measure our continued
| Industrial progress and the extension of
| our commercial triumphs. l am satisfied
| the Judgment of the country favors the
| policy Of aid to our merchant marine. which
| VIII broaden our commerce and markets
| ana up-build our sea-carrying capacity for
| the products Of agriculture and rnanufac-
| ture; which, with the increase of our navy,
mean more work and wages to our coun-
| trymen, as wei. as a safeguard to Ameri-
| can interests In every part OF the world.
| The Subject of Trusts.
| Combinations of capital organized into
! trusts to control the conditions of trade
among our citizens. TO stifie competition.
| limit production, and determine the prices
| of products used and consumed by the
people are justly provoking public discus
| sion. and should early claim the attention
| OF the Congress.
| The industrial commission. created by the
| act of the Congress of June Is. 1898, has
| been engaged in extended hearings upon
the disputed questions involved IN the sub
ject Of combinations in restraint of trade
and competition. They have not yet COM
| pleted their investigation of this subject.
and the conclusions and recommendations
| at which they may arrive are undeter-
| mined.
The subject is one giving rise to many
! Continued on Fourteenth Page.)