The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-05
MERCHANT MARINE.
Congressional Action Urged For It's
UpbuiIding.

The value of an American merchant
marine to the extension of our CONNER
ciaI trade and the strengthening OF
our power upon the sea invites the inn
mediate action of congress Our ma
tional development will be one-sided
and unsatisfactory so long as the re
markable growth of our inland indus
tries remains unaeeompanied by pro
gress on the seas. There is no lack OF
constitutional authority for legiSlatiO
which shall give to the country mari
time strength commensurate with its
industrial achievements and with its
rank among the nations of the earth.
The past year has recorded excep-
tiOnal activity in our ship yards and
the promises of continual prosperity in
ship building are abundant Advanced
legislation for the protection of our
seamen has been enacted. Our coast
trade under regulations, wisely framed
at the beginning of the government and
since, shows results for the past fiscal
year unequalled 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 ne
cessity of securing our share in the val
liable carrying trade of the world.
Last year American vessels trans
ported a smaller share of our exports
and imports than during any former
year in all our history and the measure
ping was painfully manifested to our
people. Without any choice of our
OWL, DQI from necessity. Une depart
mentS of the government charged with
military and naval operations in the
east and West Indies had to obtain
from foreign flags merchant vessels es-
sential for those operations.
The other great nations have not hes
1tated to adopt the required means to
develop their shipping as a factor in
national defense and as one of the sur
est and speediest means of obtaining
for their producers a share in foreign
markets Like vigilance and effort on
our part cannot fail to improve our sit
uatiOn, which is regarded with humili-
alton at home and with surprise abroad.
Even the seeming sacrifices, which at
the beginning may be involved, will be
offset later by more than equivalent
gains
The expense is as nothing compared
to the advantage to be achieved. The
reeSta bliShment of our merchant ma
rine involves in a large measure our
continued industrial progress and the
extension of our commercial triumphs.
1 am satisfied the judgment of the
country favOrs the policy of aid to our
merchant marine, which viii broaden
our commerce and markets and up
build our sea carrying capacity for the
products of agricultural and manufac-
ture 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.
TRUSTS OBNOXIOUS
Combinations of capital organized
into trusts to control the conditions of
trade among our citizens, to stifie COM
petition, limit production and determine
the prices OF products used and con-
sumed by the people are justly prOvok-
ing public discussion, and should early
claim the attention of the congress
The industrial commission. created by
the act OF congress of June Is, 1898. has
been engaged in extended hearings
upon the disputed questions involved in
the subject of combinations in restraint
rof 10 IN
not yet completed their investigation
of this subject, and the conclusions and
recommendations at which they may
arrive are undetermined.
The subject is one giving rise TO
many divergent views as to the nature
and variety or cause and extent of the
injuries to the public which may result
from large combinations Concentr7t-
ing more or less numerous enterprises
and establishments, which previously
10 the formation Of the combination
We're carried on separately.
1t is universally conceded that con7-
binatiOns which engrOss. or control the
market Of any particular kind of mer-
chandiSe, or commodity necessary to
the general community, by suppressing
natural and ordinary competition.
whereby prices are unduly enhanced
to the general consumer, are obnoxious
not only to the common law, but also
to the public welfare. There must be
a remedy for the evils involved in such
organization. If the present law can
De extended more certainly to control
OF cneck these mOnopolies, or trusts, it
should be done without delay What
ever power the congress possesses
over this most important subject
serted.
President Harrison, in his annual
message of December 8, 1889. says:
Earnest attention should be given
| by congress to a consideration of the
question how far the restraint of those
combinations Of capital commonly call