The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1910-01-21
FIGHT IS SURE
ON SHIP SUBSIDY
Congress and Country Divided
Over the Measure Urged by
President Taft.
MIDDLE WEST OPPOSED TOIT
Presidential Possibilities for 1912
Already Being Considered in
inston-Democrats Favor
Gov. Harmon of Ohio,

Gov. Harmon of Ohio.
Washington.-When President Taft
was in the northwest he made plea
for tae passage of ship subsidy law
at this winters session of CONGRESS.
It seems to be assured that the sen
ate will sanction the legislation which
the president has asked, but there is
still strong doubt whether the house
will agree to put the measure through
Among the representatives the SEN
timent for and against ship subsidy
seems to be about equally divided. II
anything relating to ships can be said
to have hard shedding, the measure
which would grant the subsidy for the
upbuilding of the merchant marine
certainly has had it for some years.
The difficulty that lies in the way of
legislation the object of which Is SUD-
posed to be to make the American
flag a more frequent sight on the high
seas, is that the country has been
divided against itself on the PROPOSE,
ton. The great middle west seems in
the main to have been opposed 10 pay
ing out government money for what
some people have declared to be the
interests of the ship builders. On the
coasts east and west there has been
strong desire to have congress take
action. When the fight comes off in
the house it will be in the nature of
a civil warfare with section against
section. There will be no blood shed.
but there will be some strong words
and challenging of motives in plenty.
Humphrey Bill introduced.
The bill which has been introduced
by Representative Humphrey of Wash
ington is the one about which the
forces favorable to ship subsidy will
rally, and against which its opponents
will array themselves. In brief, the
bill provides for money to be paid for
carrying the mails in ships built in
America. The bill of course provides
much more than this. II has provis-
ions which it is supposed will provide
a nucleus for an increased American
navy in time of war and it makes
provision also for adding to the navy's
strength in time of trouble the sail
ors who are trained on the marine
ships carrying the stars and stripes.
The campaign in favor of ship sub
sidy has been most vigorous one in
many ways. A publication called
The American Flag" has been sent
broadcast filled with arguments in ia
vor of the measure which is now be
lore congress. On the other hand the
majority of the Democrats in house
and senate. and with them a goodly
number OF Republicans have de-
nouneed every proposition to subsi
die ship builders, for this is what the
opponents of the bill say that il
amounts to.
II the measure should became a law
American ocean mail carrying steam
ers probably would be built on both
coasts to carry postal matter to South
American and to some parts of the
orient. The amount of money paid
TOT carrying the mail would be suf
hcient inducement to build American
vessels which would carry not only
the mail, but merchandise and very
likely passengers.
he prospect of the debates on the
moor of house and senate on this
question is bright with the promise oil
good speeches for and against the
measure. and OF sharp exchanges
which will interest the galleries, and
h.
oeen reduced to written form.
Looking Forward to 1912.
PRESIDENTIAL politics" in Washing
ION are lost to sight, if not to interest
ior only about one year after the ma
uohai election. Already the Demo
Gratis and Republicans in official life
IN the capital are beginning to loob
forward to 1912 and to guess. and
even to prophesy, as to whom the
chieftains of the two parties will be
III the struggle of that year
Naturally much of the interest cen
ters about the chances which the pres
iueht has to succeed himself One
great section of the Republican party
seems to be well satisfied with the
presidents career so far. while an
other section. while admitting willing
ness TO wait before passing final judg
Hleht, seems to think Mr. Taft is moth
ing Ike as aggressive as he ought to
DE In view of the fact that he said
ne would carry out the legislative pol
icies of his predecessor.
The Progressive Republicans in
nouse and senate, most of whom come
from the west. will not yet say one
"ofd as to the probabilities of the re
nomination of President Taft three
years hence. They declare that the
next president will be a progressive
the real kind. presumably the Roose
Veit kind, though no one yet has the
.eHlerlty to take it for granted that
'he mighty African hunter would con
sent TO run again. The Progressives
VIII say nothing publicly about Presi
aeht RATS chances. because he has
not mad full opportunity thus far
oUiiie OF them say. to make clear
whether he is an absolute progressive
Vi one who is only progressive in part