The Washington times., 1905-10-13

The principal address before the
American Bankers Association today
was by the Hon. Harvey Goulder, of
Cleveland, Ohio, his subject being Our
Commerce"
He spoke in advocacy of legislation
that would rehabilitate the American
merchant marine. He regarded 1t as
disgraceful that the United States, with
its vast resources, should be obliged to
depend upon foreign rivals IN trade to
carry goods abroad
Our flag has almost disappeared
from the ocean, he said. The fact IS
that our foreign marine has been stran-
gled nearly out of existence.
Following consistently a system Of
protection in trade. It seems strange
that we have neglected the shipping in
dustry. We have the humiliating spec
tacle that while in foreign bottoms we
import more products from South
American countries than they sell else
where, we have no adequate means of
shipping to them the things which We
have to sell and should sell In ex-
change. To the best customer in South
America We have to send by the way
of Europe, and when any of US visit
South America, convenience requires
that we go by way of Europe.
Many people in this country shiver
and stutter over the word subsidy Ap-
parently regardful of this hobgoblin,
has provided for only few lines. and
these only to South America and the
Orient. They have needed the cry
other projects were before Congress.
that what we most need is the delivery
wagon style of ship and provided a gen.
eral subsidy-using that word in its
broadest sense"
After explaining the Importance Of
transportation and commerce. Mr.
Goulder continued:
IT,
for which the nation can afford to fur
nish money almost without stint but
embarrassed in finding officers and men,
because while ships can be built to order
as money is available. sailors require
time in their training
Dependent on Rivals.
I'VE have come to be a truly great
nation. ready, able and withal willing
to take first place In the world markets.
but deserving and requiring from pure
ly economic standpoint an efficient svs-
tenn of delivering our goods abroad; and
yet we remain dependent on rivals I'm
trade to carry our world competitive
goods abroad for introduction and sale,
while the overwhelming testimony Of
business men all over the United States
is that this is moor trade policy. that our
trade Is seriously handicapped and many
producers have abandoned the foreign
fields because of unreliable and unsat-
isfactory service and encouragement of
American goods.
Spend Money at Home
I'VE see each year that we pay over
to foreigners about $3.50 Ooo, 900 In freights,
of which a good share should be cir
culated IN this country, as are the
freights paid in the internal land and
marine commerce of the United States.
Passing through the builder. the opera
tor, the repairer, the furnisher of ships
and all the allied branches OF Industry
and their employees. IL should go into
the commercial strength of the nation.
Need Marine for Safety.
The Congressional commission went
all about the United States, invited ex-
preston from everyone willin to come
before them. sifted II all, and reached
the conclusion unanimously that we need
merchant marine. possibly less for the
purpose of introducing trade abroad. i'm
portant as that is. than for general
safety OF the country In having a feet
of Our own to carry our goods independ-
ent OF foreign complications, reliable for
the continuance of our trade under
suitable naval protection IN case we
might be involved in war; and furnish
ing those adtuncts of the navy which
| every nation in the history OF the world
has found TO justify all the other ex-
pense OF navy. that is TO say, auxiliary
ships and sufficient resource for sea-
men when the test should come.
THE question of expense is of greatest
importance. but most important as relat-
ed to probable results. This country Is
now paying for rural free delivery
1000 600 year. and for city free deliv-
cry S2l,oO.0Oo year This is for con-