Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-01
PRES. TAFT WILL URGE ENACT
MENTOR SAIPpSU0StDNtLAsv
Continued from Page one.)

cry quarter of the globe, to take steps
to repair a condition that exists IN
reference to our merchant marine that
is humiliating to our national prloe
and most burdensome to US in compe-
tition with other nations in obtaining
international trade.
1--WE maintain a protective tariff to en-
courage our manufacturing, farming ana
mining industries at home within our
jurisdiction but when we assume to enter
into competition upon the high seas IN
trade between international ports our
jurisdiction to control that trade as far
as the vessels of other nations are con-
cerned of course ceases and the ques-
ton we have to meet is how, with the
greater wages that we pay, with the more
stringent laws that we enact for the pro-
lection of our sailors and with the pro-
tective system making a difference in the
price between the necessaries to be used
in the maintenance of a merchant ma
rine we shall enable that merchant ma
rne to compete with the merchant marine
of the rest of the world
This is not the only discussion either,
for it will be found on examination of the
lIictIlOuS pun Sucu III olu SouiitiiCo WIN ~
spect to their merchant marine that there
is now extended by way of subsidies by
the various governments to their respec-
tive ships upwards of $35, 900 and this offers
another means by which in the COMPETE
ton the American merchant ship is driven
out of business and finds itself unable to
bid against the foreign competitors.
Not only this, but so inadequate is the
American merchant marine today that in
selecting auxiliary ships with which to
make our navy an instrument of offence
or defence, or indeed in sending 1t around
the world as a fleet we have to call on
vessels sailing under foreign flag to car
ry the coal and to supply the other needs
of such a journey. Were we compelled to
go to war today our merchant marine
makes altogether an insufficient tonnage
of auxiliary unarmed ships absolutely
necessary to the proper operation of the
navy. and We're war to come on we
should have to purchase several vessels
from foreign countries. and this might.
under the laws governing neutrals, be
most difficult
THE trade between the eastern
ports OF the United States and South
America is a most valuable trade and
now equals something like $3.50, 100000,
but European nations, approaching
the growing character of this trade,
have by subsidies and other means of
encouragement so increased the sail
ings of large and well-equipped yes
sells from Europe to the ports of South
America as ViSibly to affect the pro-
portion of trade which is coming to
the United States by the very limited
service Of a direct character between
New York and South American ports.
Il need not tell you of the made
quacy of the American shipping ma
rine on the Pacific coast and the grow
ing power for commercial powers in
this regard of the Empire of Japan.
Japan is one of the most active and
generous countries in the matter Of
subsidies to it's merchant marine that
we have and the effect is only too Wis
ible
For this reason it seems to me that
there is no subject to which Congress
can better devote it's attention in the
coming session then the passage of a
bill that shall encourage our merchant
marine in such way as to establish
American lines directly between New
York and other Eastern ports and
South American ports and between our
Pacific coast ports and the Orient and
Philippines.
I'VE earn profit from our foreign
mails from $6000,000 to $S,OOO,0OO a year.
The application of that amount would
be quite sufficient to put on satisfactory
basis two or three Oriental lines and sew
|eral lines from the East to South Ameri-
ca. OF course we are familiar with the
argument that this would be contributing
to private companies out of the treasury
of the United States. but we are thus
contributing in various ways on similar
principles in effect by our protective tariff
our reclamation service. We are not put
ting money in the pockets of ship owners.
but we are giving them money with
which they can compete for reasonable
profit only with the merchant marine of
the world.
From my observations I think the
country is ready now to try such plan
and to witness it's effects upon the for
eign trade of the United States If it is
successful, experience will show how the
policy can best be expanded and enlarged
and the American commercial flag be
made to wave on the seas as it did before
our Civil War. 1t is true that our foreign
trade is great and increasing without the
merchant marine. But merchant marine
would much enhance the opportunities for
extending trade"
Seattle WASH, Sept 30.-President
Taft began today with the assurance
that he would have a good time at the
Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition for
he had himself prepared the program,
except for a few minor details before
he left Beverly.
The President, after shaking hands
with the guests at Mrs. Richard A.
Balilnger's reception at the Rainier
Club last night, and looking in upon
a dinner of the Yacht Club at the
Hotel Washington, went to his room at
9 o'clock, and arose this morning well
prepared for his day of sightseeing and
speaking.
The President and his party. includ-
ing Secretary Ballinger, John Hays
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