The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1902-01-10
OUR MARINE COMMERCE.
sompsete development of Ocean
Trade Hnmpered by Inimica1
Legislation.

enter more fully into the question of
"ship subsidies" and at least have
piven some suggestion as to the best
method of building up our merchant
marine" More of the message could
have been most proftably employed
had President Roosevelt entered into a
historical detail, which, while it would,
perhaps, trenched on the pet theory
of the policy of the republican party,
would have solved the reason why the
commercial marine of the United
States is now in q dwarfed condition.
II was not always so. Within As years
the commercial marine of the United
States was not only the pride of this
country, but was the envy of all peo-
pies who, in 1856. sent their Nardy
sailors to all lands in a commercial
marine. President Roosevelt in that
decade had not made his infant ar
rival and consequently it was not pos
sible for him to have personal expe-
rience, as had other. but not better,
statesmen. who had been born in the
earlier decades of the nineteenth CEN
fury.
no doubt. thoroughly investigated the
causes which gave TO our country its
remarkable success in the construc-
ton of commercial marine during
the fourth and fifth decades of the
century which closed year ago. He
is familiar with the fact that between
the years 1876 and 1861 the banks, brig
antines, clipper ships, stout three
masters, with spars crowded with can
vas, visited all waters, and bore the
flag of our country to the view of the
peoples of all lands. These fleets were
not subsidized. They were not built
in foreign shipyards. They possessed
no advantages over the fleets of other
countries, except the skill of our ship
builders and the exceeding cheapness
of the material used in the construc-
ton of our then commercial navy.
Every important city on our coast
lines had we'll appointed shipyards.
The din of the industry filed the air
with the Sound of hammers closing
rivets up
To very large degree this active
and profitable industry is among the
things that were" Would it not be an
exhibition of wisdom if President
Roosevelt were to make dilgent in
quiry into the causes which have
brought this sad change about? 1t is
believed that the president is a wise
and courageous man-that no fetch
spirit inhabits his mental and physical
make-up-that he is able and is com
petent to sound the depths in which
the merchant marine lies. buried. and
that he has the courage to set forth
the causes and the means used in the
destruction of the ships which visited
all seas, and carried the benign in.
fiuence to all the people of the earth
that there existed a land known rs
the United States, where all people
enjoyed liberty, and were untram-
meled by restriction laws, says the
Cincinnati Enquirer.
Probably no man knows more fully
than does President Roosevelt the rea-
son which caused the decay of Amer
lean shipping. Let him courageouslS
set forth his opinions. Let him explain
TO the people the character and effect
of the operation of the ''navigatior
laws" Let him seize every opportun
ity which has never. in the history o.
our country, been given to its chic
ruler. Let him meet this opportunity
fully and courageously.
The trade of this country. notwith
standing the inimical influence which
legislation has conceived to hamper {
complete development of it, is larger
more prosperous and more profitabl,
than ever in its history. Why SHOULD
not the president aid to enlarge it
Why should he not recommend thai
all barriers shall be removed? VIII,
should not the president lessen the
burdens of Indirect taxation, which
goes to the benefit of a few men, ant
which is really paid to them by the
people who furnish every ounce oil
freight which is sent from our ports
md nine-tenths of which is carried il
oreign bottoms. Is not the nationa
'easury overlooking with money
ised from indirect taxation?
Are the people not paying million,
dollars by the nonuse of their nat
II materials? Is the commercial
ght undesired by American shiI
ers? Can President Roosevelt re.
gurate the shipbuilding industry
out bribing the shipowners, anc
Sc fresh robbery on the people
The administration will have a
line If it undertakes to put the
sN upon all who side with Dewe,
=, Long or to suppress any fur,
acussion of the naval infamv. A
s,hero, victorious commander
IN cruelty and shameful,
and the whole country re.
injury and will not rest quiet
u;awrong has been in some way
- Mr.. Roosevelt has not been
.gh in office TO subordinate
NJ is as brave and honest
go to the supposed require
Nv olitical expediency. and he