Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-07-11
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:: :: Champ Clark's
!. Letter. : 5: SAY: A. ;:::;:; ; !: :::! e.: e Il T. !:
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about 80 per cent of the swag-I mean
subvention-for their own obsolete vessels.
I object to this. 1 appeal to ongress to
give all ships an equal showing.
AS 1 understand 1t, about $500, 900 of
the hard earned dollars Of the taxpayers
Of the United States are to be openly do
mated to the shipping industry.
AS the Morgans and the Griscoms on
the Atlantic coast n the Hills, the Har-
rimans and the spreckelses on the Pacific
coast own the steamship lines. naturally
they will get all the subsidy.
But, I submit to all fair minded men,
they don't need the money. I do.
In asking for an airship subsidy under
the pretext that 1t Is needed to encourage
our trade with South America and the
orient 1t would be a reflection upon my
intelligence If I did not admit that it
would do nothing of the kind, but it is not
necessary to tell that to the farmers
They know too much now.
But the subsidy would encourage me in
establishing my Aero Commercial Naviga-
ton company, a 500, 900, 900 stock issue Of
which I shall have ready to unload upon
the public as soon as the subsidy bill
passes.
Under these circumstances you will per-
ceive that 1t will be impossible to make
the subsidy too large to suit me, i'll get
my share of it. Otherwise I shall feel it
my duty to show it up as an obnoxious
graft upon the public treasury.
Airship lines are Of vital Importance.
The commercial possibilities of the Pacific
are unlimited, and for reasons Of Japa-
nese impertinence at present it Is imper-
alive that we should have direct airship
communication with the Philippines n
with Hawaii.
Unless the airship builder and airship
owner gets sufficient aid to give him an
enormous and fair profit upon the busi-
ness he cannot afford to furnish such lines
and will not do SO.
Even in France, where the tandem CYL
inder petroleum motor airship has reach
ed the highest state of perfection, there
is no profit in merely making 1t.
Congress can't expect a genuine infant
industry to make money unless the gov
eminent is willing to furnish the funds.
1t has been said that the government
cannot afford to subsidize American air
ships. l think this is dead wrong, but If
1t isn't I suggest hat we take enough
from the tariff taxes upon other ancient,
honorable and baldheaded industries for a
sum sufficient to subsidtze my airship
building plant and my cloud ship packet
line to South America n to the orient.
This country must have airships. II
cant get along without them. and I cam
build them without the subsidy.
That makes our interests mutual.
The freight airship is necessary to for.
OA6A a dlA 40 tAIO UdShOOIS VI liz
profitable commerce Of the future, and
betray no secret in saying that unless the
government comes to the front with this
subsidy 1t may be years before the air.
ship carrying rad with foreign countries
can reach a profitable basis.
With the wireless telegraph lines work.
ing, it won't do to cry down the airshir
industry.
The airship is a necessity not only tt
commerce, but to the navy of the future.
If the subsidy is large enough, I may
take contracts for warships, but, Of
course, would give preference to the de
mands of trade.
AS long as the tariff lasts the subsidy
should last for the American airships ant
the Williams Aero Navigation company.
If the Importance Of this subsidy ap
peals to congress-, how can any one doub1
that 1t appeals to me?
With the public treasury overlooking
what is to be done with the money If /
is not distributed among deserving insti
t%utions? Among whom I am one o
which.
With the assurance of my most distin
guished consideration and thanks in pro
portion to my share of the subvention,
beg to subscribe myself
CHARLES ALT WILLIAMS,
President and General Manager and Al
Round Pooh Bah Of the Williams Aer,
Commercial Navigation Company O
Seattle.