The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-08-03
THE MERCHANT MARINE COMMITTEE.

IT. HE Joint committee of the Senate and House on
the merchant marine arrives in this city to-day,
with Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire as its
chairman The revival OF merchant marine has been
under discussion for several years The subject was
during the administration of President
Mckinley, and has since before Congress in
FORM but no decision on methods has been reached.
Like too many OF mic issues 1T has implnged
upon party politics, and plays have been made for pol
ical advantage rather than for the welfare OF the
try and the promotion of its commerce. 1t IS an issue
of vital importance TO this coast because without asking
permission OF Russia the position we have asserted in
the trade of the Pacific be maintained for
development and in the interest of the national honor
When Secretary of Agriculture Wilson made his first
visit here he entertained by large company of
Calfornians the guest of Mr.. William II. Mills and
in thoughtful address said that Deweys ships in Manila
Bay had proclaimed American primacy Of the Pacific The
sentiment heartily appauded. But 1t requires
than declaration and applause to create actually.
Primary deep be manifest only under the
flag OF the primate. Until write title the fact
remains only in the form of ambitious aspiration.
How effect the transformation of that aspiration into
fact is the problem before the country awaiting solution
Let Us not be understood saying that this is
be the sole beneficiary of revival of merchant
In proportion to the greater volume OF its deep
trade the Atlantic seaboards interest far ranscend
What is desirable is to Join the two in
a unified determination legislation that will
put American commerce under the American hag and
keep there while still offering hospitality to the
chant flags OF other nations At present driven
out OF competition We in the We spend
hundreds of millions every decade for freights
that go to the ships of other nations Our flag is
on merchant ships enough do transportation for
single fortnight 1t is stranger not only in the sea
ports of the world but in All Americans re-
cognize this as evil For every national evil there
be remedy, matter how small the evil may be.
When it of such magnitude this the necessity for
remedy is of equal measure
This visiting committee authorized by Congress to
make close inquiry conditions learn the
Of the necessities of both seaboard and above ALL
get the commercial judgment to what ought to be
done. We are entering upon the construction of an
American canal open the of all nations.
We preparing eXpend vast upon that enter
prise But when is finished shall passing
through it. triumphantly, the flags of all nations
cept our own At this both parties united
in indorsng the construction of the canal and why?
Because it j. facility to commerce. Why can
there be the unity upon policy that will carry
that commerce under flag?
This Pacific Coast deeply interested section of the
country. Our flag dominated the Pacific Ocean
before we owned mile of its shore. The primitive
tribes and the simple Spanish settlers seldom any
other. The tribes impressed by the constant
procession of American ships, of them cleared from
Boston, that the for white in all
their dialects from San Diego Puget Sound Dos
ton man." and this day in the argon spoken by most
OF those who survive the for heaven, the Eysian
of the future Boston illahie, the upper Bos
ton. But the marine glories of that day have faded
and exist only a fossil in philoogy.
Now we the We have islands in the Pa
cihc. We have a vigorous and growing trade with
Asia We only Just beginning to exploit the resources
which supply the articles of for profitable
exchange with the Orient. We have made con
quest OF the Pacific with navy. Shall we have
merchant marine hold it. shall surrender
it? pressing question presented to
people than this. Shall it be said have
to build American canal on the isthmus. but none
TO encourage the building OF American ships to III
While the committee IS here commercial commu
nifty should frankly and forcbly present its 1t is
our day in and petition should be full The
committee may rely upon this that whatever conclusion
il reaches as result OF these conferences backed BY
Its independent investigation will be supported by Cali
fornia IN Congress. We cannot afford 70 remain
are In these days those who stand still until the pro
cession passes cannot hope oyertake it, We dom
want to be put in that position. The committee vii
have every facility and every hospitality IFS disposal
for our people impressed with the Importance of the
issue and the advantage which the occasion offers
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After long and inexplicabe quiet Venezuela is hersel
again. nosing her disagreeabe presence into another