The Washington herald., 1914-07-05
MAKES PLEAFOR
MARINE SERVICE
Underwood Appeals for Res
: toration Of American
s Commerce.
SPEAKS IN BROOKLYN
House Leader Declares II Is Citizens
Patriotic Duty to Build Up
Merchant Marine.

Brooklyn, N. Y, July 4.-In his Fourth
Of July speech at Prospect Park today,
Oscar W. Underwood. the Democratic
leader in Congress. made a powerful
appeal for the restoration Of American
commerce.
derwood and passed by the present Con-
favor Of goods brought in American
ships. This was a revival Of the old
Democratic practice. which existed In
1880 until 1850 and which made the United
States commerce the most vigorous and
prosperous in the world
President Wilson nullined this provision
IN favor OF American ships by an execu-
tive order because he hesitated TO offend
foreign nations with which we have
treaties Of commerce. Representative Un-
derwood in his GRAFTON today said:
Quotes JeNcrson's Words.
The first and most important factor
In the development of our foreign trade
Is the building Of an American merchant
marine In which TO carry II.
when Mr.. Jefferson was Secretary Of
State in Washington's Cabinet he said {:
The marketing OF our products viii be
at the mercy Of any nation which has
possessed itself exclusively of the means
of carrying them and our politics may
be Influenced by those who command
our commerce.
IF some other nation is carrying It's
commerce, the cost Of transportation be-
ing paid TO the foreigner the balance Of
commerce is left in favor of the foreign
nation and must be paid in gold or its
equivalent. ..-'
81 am glad to say that the present Con-
gress Incorporated as a part OF the tar
IN bill. passed a year ago. a provision
granting a discriminating duty OF 5 per
cent on all goods imported in American
ships, but unfortunately this provision
OF the bill is not being vigorously applied
and serious contest against II Is being
maintained in the courts. In the end
believe the decision will be in favor Of
American ships and that II will have a
sound and lasting effect on the building
up and developing OF our merchant ma
rins.
The Democratic convention chat met
in Baltimore and named Woodrow WI
son for President and Thomas Marshall
for Vice President, promulgated the
platform of the National Democratic
party. and declared in favor OF the
exemption from tolls of American ships
engaged in the coastwise trade passing
through the Panama Canal Congress
shortly thereafter enacted a bill carrying
q recognition of the principles that
governed the early building OF the na-
ton in discriminating in favor OF
American shipping.
IF all OF the nations engaged in trade
and commerce would abandon subsidies
and Determinations in favor of their
shipping interests / have no doubt that
American enterprise and American gen.
ius could fight the battles of commerce N
AN
with all the great shipping nations Of the
world granting subsidies in favor OF their
ships it will be impossible to build up
American shipping interests unless we
foster in some way its development
Opposes Direct Subsidy.
II have never favored a direct subsidy
for oui shipping, because I believe It Is
a dangerous expedient in principle, and it
is very difficult 10 insure a fair return
to the people Of the country for the
money expended. but a discrimination by
way Of a reduction OF taxation or the
granting of tolls stands on a very different
footing.
The time has come when the most i'm
portant question which confronts the
American people is the development and
building UP OF our foreign trade. II is
impossible to develop IL and build It up
when our commerce Is carried in the
ships of foreign nations.
Il regard IL as the foremost patriotic
duty of every American citizen to aid in
the development and building up OF our
merchant marine in order that We may
have the facilities for carrying our sur
plus products TO foreign markets, and
thereby maintain living wages and living
prices at home and the continued develop
ment of Americas great resources.