The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-05
She Finds in Johns Hopkins
Foemen Worthy of
Her Steel.
DEBATE DRAWSA THR0NG
Governor Aycook Pr sides he Judges, Though
Deciding in Favor Ct Carolina, Award
The Palm 10 Mr. PIagge-
meyer as the Best
Debater.


annual debate between the University
OF North Carolina and Johns Hopkins
University was held in Gerard Hall
here this evening and resulted in a
glorious vietry for the boys of the old
North State.
Gerard Hall had been artisti-
oally decorated for the occasion by
deft hands with the colors of the two
universities and the scene presented was
indeed inspiring. The galleries were
packed with University Of North Carolina
students who entertained the large au-
dience with their college songs and the
university orchestra, a young organiza-
ton. rendered sweet and inspiring music.
The debate was presided over by Governor
Charles B. Aycock, an alumnus of the
University, of whom it is justly proud,
and Mr.. Charles Philips Russell. of the
junior class, acted as secretary.
The judges were Hon. James H.
Pou, Prof. Edwin Minis and Hon.
John E. Woodland. Prof. Edwin Minis. in
delivering the decision of the committee
said that the committee unanimously de-
cided upon Mr.. Plaggeymer as being the
best debater. but that upon careful con-
sideration though not by a unanimous
vote. the committee had agreed to give
the honors to Carolina. The decision was
greeted with loud and prolonged applause,
The question for decision was RESOLVED
That the United States should not sub
sidlze our merchant marine" The Johns
Hopkins boys had the affirmative side Of
4I,. Il
the negative.
MIR. BLUM SPEAKS.
The debate was opened by Mr. Solo
mon Blum, of Johns Hopkins. who said
in substance:
IAN industry which does not need pro-
lection or subsidies should not be pro-
tected or subsidized. I'm systems of
transportation, in raw materials in in
ventive genius we surpass all nations;
during the past decade the number of
ship-bullding plants has increased 50
per cent. the yearly output has increased
from twelve and a half millions to fifty
million tons Does this suggest that
American shipping interests need subsi-
dies The Cramps competed with France
Germany and England and yet were
able to secure the contracts for Japa-
nese and Russian battleships. Our coast
wise trade furnishes ample facilities
for GOLFERS and transports in time of
war The way to increase our naval
strength is to build battleships. There
are other methods of encouraging our
merchant nnarine. We should Repeal
that part of our. navigation laws which
forbids to foreign-b built ships an Ameri-
can registry exempt our ships from tax
alton and our merchant marine will be
greatly increased.
"In Germany subsidies are but an in
cident in a great system of paternalsm,
repugnant 70 American ideals, and yet
German trade and German shipping has
decreased in proportion to her wealth
and the number of her Inhabitants In
France ships sail without cargoes in or
der to earn the government bounty. The
French people pay $4,000 in order that
a ship may declare dividend of $4,000.
for her owners. If we would build up
the merchant marine to endure for all
time. we must build it in the typical
American manner; by shrewdness by en-
ergy. and by solid effort. This is the
method we are pursuing and the results
we are obtaining Justify our faith"
MR.. ROBINS FOLLOWS.
Mr.. s. L. Robins, of the University.
followed. saying in part:
1--WE have encouraged all three divis-
ions of our economic iife-agriculture,
manufacturing and commerce, or trans
portation, especially in the last We have
aided in the development of railways OF
our domestic shipping. and in our early
history also our foreign shipping-our
merchant marine.
1--WE are becoming a commercial people
and therefore for the sake of business
relation with the worlds markets for the
sake of having our COMMERCE under our
own control and eventually for the sake
of best and cheapest service after we see
IL again established upon che sea, we must
build up our marine. marine is also q
national necessity because the first ele-
ment of maritime strength is in seaman
shin yards and ships for transports and
auxiliares, and to have any OF these well
supplied we must take an interest in the
business of the sea-.
"A marine of our own being national
necessity we have waited too long already
to see it build itself up. We have taken
a hand in building up every other phase
of our economic life We have aided ag-
riculture by protection, by our depart
ment of agriculture by establishing agri-
cultural colleges and by irrigation at
publc expense. We have aided manu-
featuring by protection our railways by
gifts of public land and nearly 5000 600 O00
out OF the national treasury our domes-
tic shipping by protection. and our mer-
chant marine itself by protection at one
time.
Now. marine Of our own is infinitely
more necessary than ever before; the flu
ture OF the nation is dependent upon it
and therefore the logical application is to
aid II and since the only means of aid 5
subsidy to subsidize it.
SPEECH BY MR. PI.AGGEMEYER.