The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1907-12-26
MEET TO FURTHER
MERCHANT marine
FRIENDS OF SHIP SUBSIDY BILL
ATTEND CONFERENCE AT
CLEVELAND, o.
CONGRESSMEN AND
SENATOR'S PRESENT
Assistant Secretary Of Navy Newberry
Declares Important Foreign Con-
flict Would Find Us Handicapped
by Lack Of Ocean-Golng Ships.

Cleveland, O., Dec. 23.-For the pur-
pose of bringing every possible pres
sure to bear upon congress in the in
terest of ship subsidy, the friends of
a government-assisted merchant ma
rine gathered here Saturday. To work
up enthusiasm in the interest of the
proposed measure and sound the key
note of the campaign to be waged in
Washington this winter, speeches
were delivered by prominent United
States senators and congressman.
Nearly every state and large business
interest in the country, especially ma
rine interests, were represented in
the audience.
1t was the occasion Of the annual
meeting of the Merchant Marine
league. While the conference was
more particularly in the interest of the
mail subsidy bill now pending before
congress, the objective point, yet the
general plan of subsidy for merchant
men was not overlooked. 1t is be-
lieved by the supporters Of the move
ment that the obtaining of the mail
subsidy will establish the precedent
and general principle involved, which,
eventually, will result in the govern.
ment giving general support to marine
interests upon the high seas.
The conference was called to order
by President Harvey D. Goulder, who
introduced ex-Gov. Myron T. Herrfck,
chairman of the meeting. Mr.. Her
rick spoke briefly of the purposes of
the meeting and introduced Lyman H,
Treadway, president of the Cleveland
chamber Of commerce.
Newberry Addresses Body.
Truman H. Newberry, assistant sec.
rotary Of the navy. then was intro.
duced. Mr.. Newberry reviewed the
history of the American navy and
the merchant marine at length. He
pointed out that Admiral Dewey in
a report prepared in 1905 at the re.
quest Of Senator Gallinger, chairman
OF the merchant marine commission.
stated that on the basis of a strength
Of ~ battleships, the United States
would require from the merchant ma
rine in a serious war, approximately
100 vessels, in addition to a large
number Of tugs. The vessels, espe.
cially Of the larger size, do not 9
list in sufficient numbers In the Amer
lean merchant marine. The present
cruise of the United States battleship
fleet, the speaker said, is giving sharp
and unwelcome proof on this point.
War Would Find Us Handicapped.
An important foreign war, the as
sistant secretary continued, would
find the United States with q strong
navy, the second navy in the world,
very gravely handicapped by the lack
of an ocean-going merchant feet of
ships, and further handicapped by the
lack of a trained and prepared re-
serve Of officers and men. England
has at least 100 merchant Golfers ag-
gregating 400, 900 tons Immediately
available in the event Of war, while
the other foreign powers are well
provided with vessels Of the same
class.
In conclusion MI. Newberry said:
Never before in the history of
American navigation has the need of
a merchant marine been so real. Never
before has it's true relation to the
navy been 30 apparent, and the def
cheney in this respect cannot long con-
tinue without inviting calamity. Just
as in the nascent period of u row.
eminent, and in every naval conflict
to which we have been a party, so
now, in the task Of preserving peace.
the relation between the navy and the
merchant marine should be one of abb
solute inter-reliance and cooperation"
William 8. Green of Massachusetts,.
chairman Of the merchant marine
committee in the house of representa-
tves, and others followed Mr.. New
berry.