The San Francisco call., 1910-11-18
AMERICA HAS BATTLE ON
FOR OCEAN SUPREMACY
Merchant Marine Is Urged as
First Need TO Keep Japan
From Becoming Master
of Our Commerce
COMMITTEE NAMED TO
DRAFT CONSTITUTION

TOR the first time in the nations
history representatives of the
Pacific coast states and territories
gathered in conference yesterday to de-
liberate upon their common veal The
country has had its east and its north.
its south and its indefinite west. each
in its turn potent entity. each calling
for special legislative activity, each
attaining the positive recognition of
federal enactment The assemblage
that met yesterday in the spacious
ballroom of the. Palace hotel signal
lied the creation of a new national
unit. The Pacific states. youngest in
years. richest in resources, had come
together in response to the call of
new and 1oftier nationalism.
Embracing the broad slope from the
Rockies to the sea, reaching upward
for Alaska. extending oceanward for
Hawaii. it was an imposing parcel of
America that brought its aspirations
and ideals to focus. Ten states and
territories had joined-conscious of a
common purpose.
GiIlett First Chairman
1t was the knowledge of the great
destiny of the coast that led the con
gress to resolve itself at its first ses-
sion into a permanent body. As a
compliment to California. where the
enterprise found origin Governor Gill
lett was selected as the first chairman.
California was represented by it's
governor. Mayor Mccarthy of San
Francisco. Senator Perkins. it's con-
gressmen. and commercial leaders.
Joseph Scott. president of the Los
Angeles chamber Of commerce. headed
large delegation. Colonel D. c. Col
lier spoke for San Diego. Nevada sent
Congressman Bartlett. Senators New
lands and Nixon. and Governor elect
T. L. oddie. Oregon and Washington
were represented by members of it's
commercial associations.
Delegates Hear Purpose
Frank B. Anderson. president of the
congress to order c. G. Henion occu-
pied the secretary's desk. Upon the
motion of James Rolph Jr.. Governor
Gillett was made chairman of the
gathering. The purposes of the con-
gress were explained briefly. Ito dis
cuss the urgency of merchant marine
legislation, the maintenance of strong
permanent organization OF a Pacific
coast congress and the consideration OF
Pacific coast expositions."
Mayor Mccarthy was then introduced
to welcome the visitors to San Fran
cisco. He said in part:
This is gathering that means for
the Pacific coast in its entirety very
great results. We of San Francisco
have not been unmindful of what the
merchant marine means to this city and
state and entire Pacific slope. We have
for some time been such ardent beIiev-
ers in the merchant marine that we
have not only worked TO have Ameri-
can ships on the water but to have
them manned by American sailors. We
have. here in San Francisco. school
devoted entirely to navigation 1t is
our aim to train men for the sea SER
vice better than in any other place in
the world.
Need Help of All
I'VE look to you of this congress to p
act not only for today and tomorrow
but constantly for the great needs Of
the entire Pacific coast.
I'VE OF San Francisco are glad to
have you here. we have city OF
which we are proud. In the light OF
our census figures we are glad to be
able to say that even with the Ereatsss