The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-03-01
HELMS STRONG SPEECH.
Vigorously Opposes Pending Bill on
Ocean Mail Subsidy.
Our Diplomacy Faulty.
Kentuckian Declares Ship Subsidies
Will Not Bring Desired Results.
(BY Associated PRESS


WAsHIsGroE. ID. G.. Feb. 2.-Vigo.
rously opposing mail steamship subsi-
dies, Representative Helm, of Ken.
lucky. IN speech in the House today,
declared that the United States gov
eminent was being converted into gi-
gantic pswnbroker's shop for the pur-
pose of extending trade. He insisted
that subsidies had not built up the mar
thine interests of the United States.
II do not subscribe to that course or
policy that would convert this govern
ment into q gigantic pawnbrokers' shop
in order to acquire trade" declared
Mr.. Helm. Il DO not think we are
materially improving our trade rela-
tons with Central and South America
by attempting to put men selected at
Washington in control Of the govern
ments Of certain of these countries. In
my opinion II will require something
more than subsidy to overcome the ad-
verse feeling engendered by our pres
ent policy in that zone Of the Western
Hemisphere which should be our best
market.
II am apprehensive that the good eff
fects of former Secretary Roots visit
to the Central and South American re-
publics, looking to closer and more cor
dial relationships with these govern
ments. has been largely discounted by
our more recent domineering policy
there. fear some blunders and mis-
takes have been made. That quarter
of the globe is on the eve of great de-
velopment, from which we are in posi-
ton to reap some Of the benefits, and
surely believe that the Root policy will
yield US better returns than the coer-
Give policy"
Tariff laws. Mr. Helm declared, had
made the United States a dear market.
1T is as unreasonable, he added.
"for US to expect the foreigner to pur-
chase in a protected market. where the
seller insists on his profits that arise by
operation of law, as it is to expect the
individual to do his shopping at the
highest priced store in any given local.
ity.
The report.'of the Commissioner of
Navigation shows that we have three
subsidized lines on the caribbean route,
and the full. complete and final answer
to all arguments in support of subsidy
as a trade producer, is that notwith-
standing these subsidized lines, our
trade in that sphere has decreased in
stead OF increased"
Mr.. Helm concluded his remarks by
declaring his opposition to subsidy of
any kind.
The applause that greeted Mr.. Helm
when he first arose evidenced the high
esteem in which he is already held
among the older members. The inter-
est and applause accorded him through
out was evidence Of the worth Of his
speech, which was about an hour in
length. Mr.. Helm has seldom talked,
except to answer roll calls (he claims to
have answered more than any other
member who has been there less than
three years. but when he does talk, he
evidently studieslsnd prepares what he
has to say. This was even more evil
dent in his speech of last Thursday
than il was in his speech on the tariff
at the extra session. His position on
the Insulsr Affairs Committee has CIV
en- him an opportunity to study the mail
subsidy grab in all Of its phases, and
he has improved said opportunities.
Mr.. Helm arrived home Saturday to
attend the meeting Of the district Con-
gressionsl committee at Nicholasville
on Thursday. He says he has confidence
in the wisdom Of the committee and
is only asking them to give him pri-
mary in which all of the democratic vo-
tiers can have a say. and which will be
fair to as many or as few as want to
run against him for the nomination.