Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-09


subsidies led TO many scandals Of which
we are ashamed; but we know that the
railroads had TO be built and II we had
Il to do over again we should OF course
build them but In another way. There
fore propose another way Of providing
the means OF transportation, which must
precedc. not tardily follow. the develop
ment OF our trade with our neighbor
states Of America II may seem a rever-
sal OF the natural order OF things, but II
is true that the routes OF trade must be
actually opened-by many ships and reg
ular sailings and moderate charges-be-
fore streams of merchandise will flow
freely and profitably through them.
Urges BuyinR ships.
Hence the pending shipping bill, dis
cussed at the last session. but as yet
passed by Mother house, In my judg-
ment such legislation is imperatively
needed and cannot wisely be postponed.
The government must open these gates
OF trade. and open them wide; open them
before II is altogether profitable TO open
them. or altogether reasonable TO ask pri-
vate capital to open them at a venture.
1t is not a question of the government
NIlO lltius II SnOuiu Ndhe
action to make It certain that transpor-
tation at reasonable rates will be
promptly provided, even where the car
riage is not at first profitable; and then
when the carriage has become sufficiently
profitable to attract and engage private
capital, and engage II in abundance. the
government ought to withdraw. very
earnestly hope that the congress will be
of ~ No.
adopt this exceedingly important bill
The great subject Of rural credits still
remains to be dealt with. and it is mat
ter Of deep regret that the difficulties of
the subject have seemed to render II inn
possible TO complete a hill for passage at
this session. But It cannot be perfected
yet, and therefore there are no other con-
structive measures the necessity for which
l will at this time call your attention to:
but would be-negllgent of very mani
fest duty were not to call the attention
of the senate to the fact that the pro-
posed convention for safety at sea awaits
its confirmation, and that the limit fixed
In the convention itself for it's accept
ance is the last day OF the present month.
The conference In which this convention
originated was called by the United
0NoNCos NAV representatives OF tlet united
States played a very influential part in
deed In framing the provisions of the
proposed convention. and those provisions
are In themselves for the most part ad-
mirable. 1t would hardly be consistent
with the part we have playrs In the whole
matter to let it drop and go by the board
as II forgotten and neglected. It was
ratified in May last by the German gov
nj M In ,st ~, u
ment Of Great Britain. 1t marks a most
hopeful and decided advance in interna-
tlonal civilization. We should show our
adding our own acceptance Of it.
Coast Survey of Alaska.
There Is another matter of which must
make special mention, II / am to dis.
charge my conscience. lest It should es.
cape your attention. 1t may seem a very
small thing. 1t affects only a single item
of appropriation. But many human lives
and many great enterprises hang upon It.
1t is the matter of making adequate pro-
vision for the survey and charting Of our
coasts. 1t is Immediately pressing and
exigent in connection with the immense
coast line of Alaska, a coast line greater
than that of the United States themselves
though It is also very important indeed
with regard to the older coasts of the
continent. We cannot use our great Alas
kan domain, ships will not ply thither, II
those coasts and their many hidden dan
gers are not thoroughly surveyed anC
charted. The work IL incomplete at al
most every point. Ships and lives have
been lost in threading what were sup
posed to be well-known main channels
We have not provided adequate vessels
or adequate machinery for the survey
and charting. We have used old vessels
that were not big enough or strone
enough. and which were so nearly un.
seaworthy that our inspectors would moi
have allowed private owners to send then
to sea. This is a matter which as
have said. seems small, but is In reality
very great. Its importance has only tc
I'be looked into to be appreciated.
Before l close may I say a few words
upon two topics, much discussed out OF
doors. upon which it is highly important
that our judgments should be clear, def
nate and steadfast?
Economy ia Not Debatable.
One of these is economy in government
expenditures. The duty Of economy is no
debatable. 1t Is manifest and imperative
In the appropriations we pass we are
spending the money Of the great people
whose servants we are-not our own. W.
are trustees and responsible stewards ii
the spending. The only thing debatabl'
and upon which we should be careful Il
make our thought and purpose clear 4
the kind OF economy demanded OF us.
assert with the greatest confidence tina
the people OF the United States are %
jealous of the amount their government
costs II they are sure that they get wha
they need and desire for the outlay tina
the money is being spent for objects o.