The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-01-03
SHIP SUBSIDY CROWD
BESIEGE WASHINGTON
Under Guise of Patriotism Con-
template Big Raid on
Treastry
Special to The Daily Leader.

Washington, D. c., Jan. 8. IF you
are against a ship subsidy, you are
unpatriotic
This is the slogan that has been
adopted by the millionaire ship own
e.s who vii profit, chiefly. from the
passage OF ship subsidy legislation,
Aware that public sentiment Is hos
tile to the bill that the party in power
will attempt to pass within the next
few months, the subsidy grabbers have
decided 10 make their fight center on
an appeal to the patriotism OF the
Ame lean people
IF we were to have war with Jap
an, we would be at the mercy OF the
enemy, as VIE would have no ships to
transport coal. Is the cry tlrat is now
going up from the tainted press bu-
reaus maintained in various parts OF
the country by the financiers WHO
have their eyns upon the public treas
ury
This plsa me ely hefogs the issue
for readers not well yersed on tne
subject. because 1t tends to create
the impression that legislators who
oppose Ship subsidy are against the
rebuilding OF the American merchant
marine. As q matter OF fact, the men
who are opposing the principle Of a
subsidy opposing the payment OF
millions Of dollars annually from The
public treasury to private owncrs~--
are more anxous 60 put American
shipping on it's feet than the friends
oT ihe subsidy Only they would do
II by permitting the American regls-
try TO foreign built ships, method
witch does not provide for the open
ing Of the pp.k barrel and Is gen
orally unpopular TO the party in
ncwer Ca number Of the insurgenl
Republicans excepted)
Both friends and opponents OF
ship subsidies deplore the fact that
our merchant marine has dwind ed
away. The decline has accompanied
the advance Of high tariffs, largely
IN 1859 66 3 per cent Of all foreign
commerce OF the United States was
carried In American vessels. In 1869
this was ednced 10 275 per cent; IN
1901, to 1913 per cent, and a. the
present time less than > per cent of
the goods exported from this coun-
try are carried IN sdips sailing un-
der he American flag
When our ilsef of battleslips made
it's cruise around the world recently
the navy department was connected
10 charter foreign steamers 10 act NJ
tenders iC carry the coal the iood.
the clothing and the ammunition. u
we were to have war with japan,
China. Turkey or any distant power,
our fleet would have to depend upon
TO eign bottoms for coal. The laws
of neutrality would humi'iate us as a
see power.
The subsidists would solve the
nrobIem by giving about s5,O10o10--
anpuallv-the proceeds of the foreign
mail department of thH postofiice---
for the establishment of regular
mail line to the east coast of South
Africa to Australia. to China and the
Philippines.
Two ships would be rennired on
each line subsidized which would
mean an addition Of six ships to on
merchant marine in the event o.
three lines being established. and
eight Ships should four lines be es-
tablished The estimated $5,000'oOb
is considered only sufficient as 4
STARTER" 1t is conceded that later
on a larger sum will be necessary
Shin subsidy is like tariff in the
resuect that it is ever growing and
extending new branches.
THE npnorerts of the above plan
contend that 1t has been tried over
ana over again without success. and
that while subsidies might make .
few improbable lines profitable a.
unb'ic exnense. that Is not the true
function of government. and at best
wnu'd be but femnorary support.
"Hcw would the opponents OF sip
subsidies 90 about il to restore the
American nag on the asp is asked
Tho Kus'crmann bin offers one way
This mearure permits American
ragie rv tc fareian built ships intend
ed 70 the foreign trade providing
thev frr owned and oiiicered nv
Ar.o~'cans or bv corpoiations in
hitch A'Nerina~s bold not less than
60 oer een ~ tnc stock.
'Fngiand leeds in Shipping because
sho can h'y her shps. her supplies
arA rer 'ahar in the cheaDest mar
lot" rav tha onnonents of subsidy,
Americans nusi hn allowed To ~
the samn II chin costs sS0O,0n
herp and only $500 N00 abroad. we
n,uei huy pbcld That IS sound
beiness nrinrinle"
The nloa hat the american shin
building industry would suffer by al
low'no r,glstrv Of ships in the for
eign trade ona built or purchased In
foreign countries Is not justified be-
canse there are no foreign going
vesses DOW built In American shin
va As. TIE result Of the law forbid
ding American registry TO foreign
built ships Is that Americans who
have purchased hundreds OF finc
shins abroad are sailing them under
British German aud Norwegian flags.
SbGuld ihe kpstermann bill become
o law 519 such shiDs could immedi-
ately be gi'cn AMERICAN registy and
the right 10 flg the American flag.
which won'd make them subject 10
the call Of he government in the
even; we should engage in war and
need vessels upon a moments notice
for the hauling Of fuel, troops or sun
plies
Since rateiotism has been made All
issue the Question for the legislator
to deci1e takes this form:
Which is the most patriotic, "a
rl9re eIgh, ships st the DISPOSAL Of
the navy, at cosi Of 81 100000 an