The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-14
To RESTORE MERCHANT MARINE
CANAL CONFERENCE DELE
GATES URGE CONGRESS TO
ACT.
Author of Resolution Denies That 1t
Is Endorsement OF Republicans In
iQuitOus Scheme.

Atlanta, Ga, Dec. 11.-Legislation
designed to accomplish the rehabilita-
tion of the American merchant ma
rine will be sought from congress by
the Southern Panama Canal congress,
which was formally organized here
today.
In the face Of spirited opposition
from Frank p. Glass, editor Of the
Birmingham News, the conference
adopted the following resolution at
the close Of the first meeting:
Whereas, The Panama canal, built
by American enterprise and capital,
will fall immeasurably short of it's
possible benefits to American COM
merce unless American ships exist to
use it: therefore be it
"Rseloved, by the Southern Canal
conference, in session in Atlanta, De-
cember 10. 1911, That we respectful
ly urge that the congress of the Unit
ed States formulate and carry into
effect at the earliest possible moment
definite and practical legislation which
will give all necessary and reasonable
encouragement to the American mer-
chant marine and American COM
merce with foreign commerce; and
BE 1t further resolved, That the
executive committee of the Southern
Panama Canal conference be, and are
hereby, instructed to transmit this
resolution to the president Of the
United States and the members of
congress and use ali other necessary
methods to see that the intent Of this
resolution is carried into effect by the
congress Of the United States"
Mr.. Glass objected to the resolution
on the ground that it would put the
conference on record as advocating a
ship subsidy, a proposition founded on
the fundamental principle Of protec-
ton which he said the people OF the
United States had rejected. Samuel G.
Douglas Of Nashville, who offered the
resolution, denied that it carried an
Endorsement of ship subsidy.
Say that in the resolution and I
will withdraw my objection" said Mr..
Glass
Mr.. Douglas retorted that he did
not object to ship subsidy if congress
determined such legislation was nee
essary to bring about the desired end.
What he wanted, he said, was some
action by congress to encourage the
building Of American merchant ships.
He agreed, however, to modify the
original resolution, which read, I'VE
demand and insist" so as to read, we
respectfully urge
Earnest speeches in support of the
resolution were made by Nj. b. Treze-
want. secretary Of the New Orleans
Progr cssve union -. NJ. Stewart Of
the Chattanooga Manufacturers asso-
citation; y. II. Dadman, secretary Of
the Navy league: Leland Hume CT
Nashville and j. G.. Weatherly, Sec
retary OF the Brunswick (Ga.) Cham
Der Of Commerce
President w. w Finley Of the
Southern railway told the conference
that he thought it unwise to make
any demands of a new administration
before it had assumed control Of the
government He wanted it understood.
however, that he was not opposed to
any movement looking to the up
building of the merchant marine.
Discussion Of the Iron and Steel
Industry and the Panama Canal" was
led by John w. Sibley Of the Biz
mingham Chamber OF Commerce.
r. ]. Watson, commissioner Of ag-
riculture OF South Carolina, addressed
the conference on the benefits to be
derived by agriculture in the South
from the opening OF the canal.
The conference adjou. ned to meet
again ut the call Of the president.