Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-27

years made such giant strides In Industrial
development as to become one of the great
export nations of, the world. Notwithstand-
ing our phenomenal growth in population,
our capacity to produce in both field and
factory has more than kept pace with our
growth in numbers. If our prosperity is to
continue, we must have wider markets for
our goods-what better fields for exploita-
ton exist than the territory of our next
door neighbors in Central and South Ameri-
l-ca2s But while Ii is necessary to have the
markets in which to sell our goods it is
equally necessary to have the facilities with
which to transport them. l mean by this
that the volume of our export trade today
is seriously hampered by the overtaxed
| minal points; in fact, II is a serious ques-
ton whether it has not reached its limits
under present conditions.
Port terminals are already so scarce and
valuable as to render adequate relief in
| that direction improbable in fact impossi-
BILE, at any reasonable cost. 1t is therefore
suggested that there be created vast in
| terror harbor reaching from Chicago to the
gulf. The idea is not new to you, but
present conditions should bring 1t home to
the minds of all of us with greater force
than ever before.
The beneficial effects of such a harbor are
many and obvious. In the first place it
would furnish opportunities for the creation
of terminal facilities along its entire length.
These would be utilized to relieve the con-
gestion at and take care of the overflow
| from our present port terminals. In the
second place 1t would build up and develop
the entire Mississippi valley by giving 1t
| the advantages of terminal ports brought
close to its doors. In the third place, and
this has most direct bearing on our canal
proposition, 1t would give the people of our
great middle west, with their geographical
proximity and these superior transporta-
| ton facilities, distinct advantage over the
rest of the country in commanding the
South American trade.
| Where are the American ships, you may
,.1r III. - tt.,., hot
opens a subject quite too large for more
than 5cursory treatment at this time, but L
have no hesitation in saying that, with Sec
rotary Root, / think We should recognize
| the fact that I'VE are living in world not
of natural but of subsidized competition
| and should overcome the artificial disad-
vantages imposed upon American shipping
| through the action of our own and foreign
governments by an equivalent advantage
| in the form of a subsidy or subvention."
| That is not merely the surest, but Is the
| only way visible to bring about a revival
! Of our shipping and the consequent develop
| ment of our foreign trade. There is a bill
now before Congress, framed upon the re-
port of the merchant marine commission,
which provides for such compensation. 1t
has been passed by the Senate and has the
| approval Of the President. If you gentle
men desire to reap for American trade and
| industry the fullest benefits which are to
| be afforded by the Panama canal, you
should Impress upon your representative In
Congress your wish to have this bill be-
come law.
What is the use of. expanding millions OF
| American money in the construction of a
new highway for American commerce when
we have no American ships in which to
carry that commerce? What is the use of
canvassing for trade In South America
when We have no means, save in foreign
ships, to transport our goods after We have
secured a market for them? Gentlemen,
| the answer to these questions rests with
you and with other American citizens.