The Washington herald., 1909-06-24
TAFT PLEDGES AID
FOR SHIP SUBSIDY
Merchant Marine League Ap-
ptaUds Executive.
is NOT AFRAID OF THE ISSUE
With Speaker Cannon Ably Second
ing Presidents Sentiments and
Urging Strong Service To Protect
Our Commerce, the banquet at the
willard Proves Success.

President Taft attended a banquet last
night given by the Merchant Marine
League Of the United States in the Presi-
Dental suite at the New Willard. Gath
cred there were distinguished and promi-
nent advocates Of the ship subsidy bill
The President accompanied by Speaker
Cannon. arrived at the New Willard al
1880 o'clock and went at once 20 the
banquet room. They were cheered en-
Enthusiastically by the assembled guests
The President was introduced by J. G.
Butler. president OF the Merchant Marine
League. After expressing great pleasure
at being present. Mr.. Taft said:
7 am astonished at the character Of
the report made by the officers Of the
league as completely demonstrating thar
the entire country seems 10 be at last
alive to its own interests. The term
subsidy is. in some minds. a superstitlous
one. and a kind OF bogy. But I am GER
tainly not afraid Of H. Something with
regard 10 the merchant marine must be
done, and done quickly. I have taken
occasion. when asked, TO express myself
frankly as 90 my personal feelings. and
am very glad 10 know that In this par
ticular question both myself and the
Speaker agree thoroughly. A great in
crease in the population OF the country.
as well as the necessity Of the navy and
our own commerce, make II necessary
that not only the Representatives. but
their constituents at home. should know
the exact facts4
Regrets Lost BIZ.
Il regret that the last ocean mail act
was lost by a margin Of only two or
three votes. I feel that with the in
creased amount of information that the
people Of the country are obtaining on
this subject the cause would have a
substantial majority in the next House. I
pledge my own best efforts 20 bring this
about"
With this last significant sentence, the
President concluded his address. The en-
thusiasm which his final words caused
brought forth an outburst Of applause
that was audible all over the building.
Speaker Cannon was next introduced.
and said: Though they be of small
value, I viii use both my vote and infu-
ence toward this project. The time IS
now ripe for Americans to change their
policies which they had hitherto always
used, and 90 enter into a wider field. We
should see 70 II tlat we have a lner-
chant marine 10 support our navy and 10
carry our countrys commerce. and as a
result 10 widen its influence abroad
He said in effect that the people were
criticised for changing their views. There
had been a time when he had deprecated
any extra expense I'm times when the
country was In extreme need. but that
now conditions called for a great mer-
chant marine.
Former Representative Charles r.
Lands said there never was a PROPOSE
tiOn which met with more universal ap-
prOval. and that the pOpulace was
ready 90 embrace il with open arms. At
ter Representative lands finished, the
President with Senator Gallinger and
the Speaker. left the banquet rooms and
went TO the White House.
Mr.. PenUn, secretary Of the Merchant
Marine League Association and editor OF
the Iron Trade and Marine Reviews, said
the statements made by President Taft
were The most definite and positive ever
made by any President. He said the
meeting last night marked an epoch IN
the history Of the merchant marine OF
the country. II showed that President
Taft and the Speaker were agreed in
backing the ship subsidy bill which Rep
resentative Humphrey viii present 10 the
House TO-DAY