The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-10-01
SHIP SUBSIDY IS
GIVEN BIC BOOST
Taft Will Urge Congress to
Pass Law.
COUNTRY READY FOR IT


Territorial Form Of Government
For Alaska, but Speaks of Help to
Be Given In Developing Resources
Of Northwestern Possession.
Seattle, WASH, Oct. 1.--Speaking
before the largest audience he has
faced since his trip began, a crowd
that overflowed the natural amphi.
theater of the Alaskan Yukon. Pacific
exposition, with its seating capacity
Of nearly 10000, President Taft an
nounced that he would urge in his
coming message to congress the en-.
actment Of a ship subsidy law.
MIR. Taft declared that the country
was ready to make such experiment,
and that something must be done to
build up an American merchant ma
rine. His utterances on this subject
were received with great acclaim.
When the president turned to Alas
ka, however, and declared that he was
opposed to granting a territorial form
of government to that far.off posses
sion, the statement was received in
silence. AS the president proceeded,
however and outlined his policy for
the upbuilding of Alaska, of recon-
mending government aid in the con.
struction of railroads, of local gov
ernment by a commission of FIVE or
more members appointed by the pres.
ident and cooperating with the gov
eminent, and when he told of the
great possibilities that lie in Alaska
he plainly caught the favor of his
hearers and was loudly oheered
Later in the day, when he was ad-
mitted to membership In the Arctic
Brotherhood, an international organ
iZation made up of Canadians and
Americans interested in the develop
ment of Alaska, the president an
nounced that he intended to visit
Alaska next summer and to go as far
into the territory as time would per-
NIT. in order that he might come in
contact with the people and see for
himself what might be done for their
welfare. The president frankly told
the members OF the brotherhood that
he did not believe Alaska at this time
is. ready for entire self-goverument
81 am as much In favor of popular
government as anybody" declared
the president but | am in favor OF
popular government only when the
conditions exist under which popular
government may be success and
work for the benefit of the people
and the government at large. When
there are limitations growing out of
various circumstances, we must take
other means until popular govern.
ment becomes possible, and then, of
course, 1t is the best government in
the world"
In discussing ship subsidy Presi-
dent Taft declared that If war
should come at this time the United
States would not have enough vessels
to carry coal to its fleets. And It
would be doubtful under the neutral.
ity laws, he added, If the United
States would be able to buy foreign
vessels in the emergency.
The president pointed out that the
United States maintains q protective
tariff TO encourage its manufacturing
mining and farming industries, but
leaves its merchant marine to COM
pete with the foreign.owned vessels.
which, in addition to being subsidized
by their governments, pay lower
wages and are subject to less strin-
gent laws for the protection of their
sailors. Examination of statistics, he
said revealed the fact that American
shipping marine on the Pacific coast
is inadequate to the demands of the
growing traffic of the Pacific, and
also demonstrate that Japan is one
of the most active and generous
countries In the matter of subsidies
to its merchant marine.
He assailed the objection that a
ship subsidy law would take money
out of the treasury of the federal
government and put it into the pock-
cts of the ship owners, by saying
that the government is already con
tributing in various ways on similar
principles in effect both by the pro-
tective tariff law, by the river and
harbor bills and the reclamation ser.
vice. He said that the money Is
given to the ship owners that they
can compete for reasonable profit
only with the merchant marine of the
world.
The address In the amphitheater
was made at p, m, and Immediately
after the ceremonies there the presi.
dent went TO the Arctic Brotherhood
for the initiation. lie re-
turned to the city for a period of
rest and to dress for dinner. Return.
Ing to the fair grounds, Mr.. Taft !
viewed for the first time the wonder.
ful illuminations.
AT the Arctic Brotherhood the pres
ident was elected honorary past |
grand Arctic chief and was presented |
with costly robe OF Office made of !
purple velvet and trimmed with furs. |
The brotherhood did not presume to |
ask the president TO don the robe, |
but he insisted with the laughing re.
mark: IL am not afraid to put on the |
robes Of office; | never have been" |
The only opening In the robe was at