Cheyenne record., 1914-12-10

errea In tne way IN wnlch we nave
stunted and hindered the development
Of our merchant marine. And now.
when we need ships. we have not got
them.
l have come to ask you to remedy
and correct these mistakes and omis-
slons. The time and the circumstances
are extraordinary, and so must our ef.
forts be also.
Use and Conservation.
Fortunately, two great measures.
finely conceived. the one to unlock,
with proper safeguards. the resources
Of the national domain, the other to-
encourage the use Of the navigable
water outside that domain for the
generation Of power have already
rassed the house Of representatives
and are ready for immediate consider
alton and action by the senate. With
the deepest earnestness I urge their
prompt passage.
And there is another great piece Of
legislation which awaits and should
receive the sanction of the senate:
mean the bill which gives larger
measure of self-government to the peo-
pie of the Philippines. cannot believe
that the senate will let this great
measure Of constructive justice await
the action of another congress. Its
passage would nobly crown the record
of these two years Of memorable L.
Dor.
An Important Duty.
But l thin that you will agree
with me that this does not complete
the toll of our duty How are we to
carry our goods to the empty markets
OF which l have spoken If we have
not the certain and constant means
Of transportation upon which all profit
able and useful commerce depends?
And how are we to get the ships II
we wait for the trade to develop with
out them?
The routes of trade must be actually
opened-by many ships and regular
sailings and moderate charges-before
streams of merchandise will flow free
ly and profitably through them.
Must Open Gates CT Trade.
Hence the pending shipping bill,
discussed at the last session. but as
yet passed VI neither house. In may
judgment such legislation is impera-
lively needed and can not wisely be
postponed. The government must
open these gates of trade. and open
them wide; open them before 1t is
altogether profitable to open them, or
altogether reasonable to ask private
capital to open them at a venture.
1t is not question Of the government
monopolizing the field. 1t should take
action to make it certain that trans
portation at reasonable rates will be
promptly provided. even where the
carriage is not at first profitable; and
then. when the carriage has become
sufficiently profitable to attract and
engage private capital, and engage it
in abundance, the government ought
to withdraw. l very earnestly hope
that the congress will be Of this opin-
ion, and that both houses will adopt
this exceedingly important bill.
The great subject Of rural credits
still remains to be dealt with, and
it is a matter of deep regret that the
difficulties of the subject have seemed
to render it impossible to complete
a bill for passage at this session. But
it can not be perfected yet, and there
fore there are no other constructive
measures the necessity for which I
will at this time call your attention
to; but would be negligent of
very manifest duty were I not to call
the attention Of the senate to the fact
that the proposed convention for safe
ty at sea awaits its confirmation and
that the limit fixed in the convention
itself for its acceptance is the last
day of the present month.
Charting Of Our Coasts.
There is another matter of which
l must make special mention, If l am
to discharge my conscience, lest it
should escape your attention. It may
seem a very small thing. 1t affects
only single item of appropriation.
But many human lives and many
great enterprises hang upon it.
1t is the matter of making adequate
provision for the survey and charting
of our coasts.
1t is Immediately pressing and exl-
gent in connection with the immense
coast line Of Alaska This is a matter
which. as l have said, seems small,
but Is in reality very great. Its i'm
portance has only to be looked into
to be appreciated
Economy Is Urged.