The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-12-14
IIE
RllIlN e:

va lilAf AlslllI'ssE ":
me ReeentIy Formed National
League GALS ttension 70 II and s
orsanfzation,s Plans to Re
habiiitate It.
cLEvELAND Dee. aThe Mer-
chant Marine League IF the GAi:ed
States has sent out a sIatemen: set
ting forth The Views of the League in
It's enort to rehabilitate the merchant
marine of the United States In part.
the statement explains that the pur-
poses OF forming this league were
< broadly stated IN the resolutions
ADOPTED at formation. The scnti-
u1ent the people at large win CON
trol. and the more interest taken the
more nearly correct mus be that sen
dmeut. The statement continues n
part folIows-
ne decadence of our. foreign ma
Fine isSa fact recognized in po.!ticaI
platforms and var:ousIy on all hands
che evils are so apparent as to call
only for emphasis by considering de-
I'll. Two things go hand IN hand a
merchant marine sufficient to pre-
rent undue dependence on foreign
3 heIp navy adequate in time CT
peace to furnish the assurance arc
where Necessary the fact of protection
Co orr commerce and our ships and
goods engaged in it.nd their t.r
ne Merchant Marine League OF the
Gnisad States, not IL :.nywise or n
any degroe welded To specific meth
%. nor involved IN OF with any par
ticuiars interest seeks to aid in accom-
plishing this result upon lines and by
methods which shall alike be credit.
able TO us as a Nation and include
he greatest justice and general gooe.
How shall this be done2 Several
methodssof dealing with this question
haEe been brought forward from tine
10 tine. The most prominent arc PER
taps subsidy discriminating duties.
sounties: or subyentions simply, postal
subsidy or subvention. tonnage tax
from which to secure fund provid- |
snbyention
he suggestion is permissible t,,at |
Eithout endeayorins in a servi1e man
to harmonic homogeneous elz-
rents It should be possible to take
Mat seems best OF the various PANS
and thereupon formulate a bil which
VII at least get the natter startsI-
rcmsa study of the evidence taken,
the matter forward w:sLout govern
1lsrt aid yet It also seems possible
axoid in the beginning any cha L,
md throughout to AVOID any undue
brrden on the general treasury. by
azposfng tonnage dues similar to
hose abroad and permissible By PR
cedent and under the laws of trade
Spcaking generally and assuming. as
seems possible that It can be work
ID out eqdftabIy- 1t is clear thai AIRY
nd should be devoted to steamers re-
xardless of speed and 10 sail vessels {
kpon propordonate Sass Of actual
service or, TO prevent excessive cost :
u examination. probably better to
be based on approved statistics and
- ~
decor sail and steam scssels-
xsTy ship receiy.re such aid aa,-
CraII would be required to carry
mails. but TO encourage specific mail
routes With requirement OF regular s
service and stated sai!inss. must in :
,EofYe corresponding additional postal
sahyentions
While the league Il process OF form
ing does not bind itself 10 what the
curgressional commission may put
forward and may properly reserve TIE
ght Of suggestion and of not IN
friendly criticism OF what may be put
before or be enacted by Congress, it :
EzItst be recognized that the commits
ssna IS nonpartissn. composed Of men
Of great ability and large experience
IN legislation. who aaave devoted grea;
1aa1r TO tie question ard are in pos I
session OF more data than has ever be-
fore been gathered on this subject ia {
mis- country !
The officers of The league have
made some provision for furnishing +
iiubfased information, and viii be
EEad n response to inquiry addressed
10 ne league at Cleveland TO give sucn
MD as they may be able to in That d.
rectfon