The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-11-15
South Carolina Senator Thinks the
Lack of 1t Is a Menace to
America.
SHIP OWNING Is PROFITABLE.
Also Tells Southern Cotton Spin
ners That Broader Patriotism
Is Needed, and Refers to
Growth of Commerce.

Atlanta. Ga. Nov. I.-At the fifth annual
session of the Southern Cotton Spinners'
| Association. which convened here to-day.
Doctor j. p. McAden, president, recon-
mended declaration In favor of a mer-
chant marine. upon basis that will give
all American citizens an equal chance, pre-
vent favoritism TO intrenched interests and
! recognize the producing classes in the re-
cuctiOn of freight rates"
He also favored the building and construc-
ton, as soon as possible of the isthuian
canal On reciprocity. Doctor McAden said:
The immense balance of trade in our favor
creates the necessity of our finding a mar
ket for our surplus products We should do
all that We can TO advance both the letter
ana the spirit of reciprocity. We especially
desire closer commercial relations with
South America and the Orient"
At a smoker in the Kiinball House To-
night the Honorable Hoke Smith of At
lanta spoke on Development of our Home
Talent and Senator John l.. McLaurin
spoke on Extension of Our Foreign Trade"
senator McLaurin said:
Growth of Commerce.
Cntil recently commerce was not deemed
proper subject for governmental consid-
Grafton. But the time will come when the
best minds of every country will be called
upon to adjust the complicated questions of
foreign trade. and the consular officers AT
the leading ports of commerce will equal in
importance the diplomatic Ambassad doris"
In connection with the extension of the
south foreign trade, Senator McLaurin ad-
Foeated an American marine.
our weakness on the sea is the one great
danger that confronts the nation" he said
We must not imagine that American capi-
tal Is dependent upon national legislation in
order TO make ship owning pay. We have
ample evidence of large American invest
ments In foreign-built ships manned and
operated by foreigners in our foreign trade.
ed in foreign ships, they are unavailable
under international laws when at war as
naval auxiliaries.
Menace to American Interests.
Another thing We should remember. these
very ships and the men employed on board
OF them may be turned against the United
states in the event Of our becoming in
volved in war with the nation whose flag
they fly.
THE object of extending Government aid
to the upbuilding of our merchant marine is
to secure adequate protection for the ma
ton upon the sea, and the mere fact that
the investment has been made attractive to
action.
We do not want to see the Isthmian
canal become merely foreign highway of
commerce We do not want our millions ex-
pended merely TO become a bounty to for
eign shipping. 1t should be an American
highway. and we should SO develop our mer-
chant marine that, with the opening of this
great canal. our own flag should predomi-
nate at the masthead of majority of the
ships that II accommodates
The South will be the immediate benef-
ciary of that waterway when it is con-
stTucted."
In conclusion. Senator McLaurin said:
What we need in this country to-day is a
nonsectional patriotism andT Tstatesmanship
more devoted to the building UP of our
country than to the achievement Of party
success. Great national or business cues
tions involving the glory of our Republic
and the prosperity Of our people. should not
be dwarfed into mere party questions"