Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-11-01
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS
FACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES
1AE pRopossp sHlP SUBSIDY.

The Chicago Tribune has done an ex-
cellent thing in obtaining the views of
leading newspapers in different sections
of the country on the ship subsidy
scheme, which was proposed in congress
last year, and which will be brought
forward again next winter. OF the edit
ors who reply to the Tribune's inquiry,
nearly all are opposed to such subsidies.
Henry Watterson gives the Democratic
view, asserting that the repeal of the an
tiquated navigation laws and the reduc-
ton of the duties on commodities that
enter into ship building to revenue
basis, would be the simplest and best
method of building up merchant
marine.
The reply of the editor of the Portland
Oregonan shows very clearly that they
stand in need of no subsidies on the Pa
cific coast. There the ship yards are
crowded with orders and are year be-
hind in filling them. This editor, though
Republican, favors "measure permit
ting American citizens to register their
vessels under the American flag, regard
less of where they were built, and admit
duty free all raw material needed In the
construction of vessels" This is sub
stantially the same plan as Mr.. Waiter
sons.
strong statement comes from the ed
itor of the Toledo Blade. 1t is worth
quoting in full "There is sufficient cap
ital In this country to build up mer-
chant marine without penny of subsidy
from the government. If combinations
of men and money can successfully pro-
mote great enterprises such as railroads,
steel and iron plants, etc, they can be
equally successful In the building OF
ships to carry abroad the products OF
American skill and labor. Mr.. Morgan
has already demonstrated what can be
done in this way. Money is too plentiful
in this country and too ready to seek in
vestment to necessitate the governments
substituting any enterprise. Kill all sub
sdy bills, for they are Justly unpopular
Hold out no hope in this direction and
men with money who are now waiting
for subsidies will invest their capital in
buying and building boats. Subsdie:
are not popular with the American peo
pie and they are not necessary in thi:
enterprise This is sane and whole
some opinion, and it is hoped Ohio con
gressmen will be Influenced by it. A:
for Ohio senators, Foraker and Hanna
they are the head and front of the sub
sidy movement and are beyond convic
ton, probably.
The general trend of these newspaper
opinions shows that subsidy is not gain
ing friends, particularly in the Middle
West, and that there is hope that thu
new measure being prepared by Senators
Frye and Hanna will meet with sure ant
certain defeat. Nevertheless, the oppO
nents of subsidy must be alert and I'm
wavering. Nothing is so insidious a.
these attacks on the treasury, particu
larly when as at this time there is larg
surplus on hand. Nothing should b,
left undone that can aid in defeating thi
measure.-Rutland News.
~oo>
THE LIQUOR QUESTION IN GREAT BRITAIN
A correspondent of the New Yorl
Tribune, who has made a study of the
liquor droblem in Great Britain, sees nj
prospect for the success of temperance
crusade IN that country. He states tn,
case In this way: On the one hand ar
brewers ard distlllers, who control mos
of the saloons or public houses ant
who act together as a strong, compac
body for the preservation of their profits
against this solidarity and unity of in
terest that knows what it wants ant
what it doesn't want is opposed public
sentiment so chaotic and inharmoniou
as to resemble great mass of wires be
ginning everywhere and having no com
mon center"