Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-01-22
RESOLUTION PRESENTED TO
THE NATIONAL BOARD or
TRADE EMBODIES THE NEED
OF 4 CREDITABLE MERCHANT
MARINE.

demanded in a resolution presente {;
by score of leading commercial
bodies today to the National Boar;
Of Trade, which is holding it's thirty
eighth annual meeting in Washing
ton. The resolutions denounce as
unpatriotic the apparent indifference
OF past congre ses to what is termed
the cryinug need OF the hour"
1t is declared that the Stars and
Stripes is a banner now almost un-
known on the high seas and that the
American merchant marine has all
but disappeared. The fact is point
ed out that the government was
compelled TO charter vessels flying
foreign flags to transport fuel and
supplies for the use of Admiral
Evans feet on it's cruise to the Pa
cific. On this subject the resolution
declares:
While we refrain from urging
the adoption of any specific plan for
restoring the American merchant
marine, we believe that the necessity
/ Of depending upon the GOLFERS and
other auxiliaries of other nations in
! the cruise of the American feet to
/ the Pacific is humiliating to the
American people and invi/s disaster
and we most earnestly urge upC.;
congress the great Importance Of i'm
mediately adopting measures which
Will insure the sailing under the
! American flag, whether owned by
the government or citizens, of a suf-
! ficient number OF transports and
GOLFERS, or vessels adapted to those
uses. to make the American fleet in
dependent of foreign vessels, both
in peace and in war"
1t is pointed out by authorities
on the subject OF ocean transporta-
ton that Japan, by means of a gov
eminent subsidy, is already in prac-
teal control of the commerce of the
Pacific and that the Yankees of the
East will soon occupy the same po-
| sition Of commercial supremacy in
| Pacific waters that Great Britain
does in the Atlantic. Men familiar
VII" oonultiohS assert that In case
VI war WIN Japan the united States
would be almost hopelessly handicap
ped from the first by its lack of a
sufficient number OF transports. sup
ply '"ip9 anu coilIerS' Whlle Japan,
] yNsff d I,v,- 4
WIN "u"u'euS OF magnificent and
! 100" i'' ch"iO VeSseIs at It's dis
po,"'' "ou'" De aDIe TO send men
anu munitions in the philippines and
VII u'S Ho'lce' oV1-
-9' ''''is Tue american authorities
- 'oi'e VI numbers
me lack OF merchant ma
i"' may De a. disastrous IN time OF
do uuiIns war Is asserted by
nc >'" io'h Trouuce Exchange
~ 'Neir'ed resolution en-
'0uy ."s '"e loilo"lhs language:
! e consider the lack OF mer-
, -""' ''''' ,'i' " poS't'Ve menace TO
american business interests and
'ilIousn circumstances which may
,'''Se at any time' our almost total
rack OF deep water tonnage may be
'S disastrous TO our growing export
ana import business as was the late
i.nanclaI disturbance to our home in
uuSyrieS' we strongly urge the i'm
mediate establishment Of American
man ana freight lines to South and
Central America Australia, South
AFRICA Japan China and other i'm
por'ant countries and also to our
uepehuencies'
y separation oil the executive, leg
islatl'e and judicial duties of the
interstate commerce law is recon-
lnehded by many commercial bodies.
ne baltimore chamber of commerce
advocates q sweeping revision of the
law permitting the legislative func-
ions TO remain with congress, trans
'e'''hs ihe executive duties to the
department OF commerce and labor
ana creating a departing Of rail
I''os' l'' commission retaining only
. ITS IIdi'.ji prerOgatiVcs.