The Holly chieftain., 1914-12-11

/ ersea In Sno way IN wnicn sc nave
stunted and hindered the development
OF our merchant marine. And now,
when We need ships. We have net got
them.
have come to ask you to remedy
ana correct these mistakes and omis-
sf0ns. The time and the circumstances
are extraordinary. and 70 must our ee-
forts be also.
Uss and csnasrvatlea.
Fortunately. two great measures.
hnely 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
rsssed the house Of representatives
and are ready for immediate consider
alton and action by the senate. With
the deepest earnestness urge their
prompt passage.
And there II 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 ID
bor
An Important Duty.
But 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 have spoken II 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 walt for the trade to develop with
out them?
The routes OF trade must be- actually
opened-by many ships and regular
saflings and moderate charges-before
streams Of merchandise will how free
ly and profitably through them.
Must Open Gates o. Trade.
Hence the pending shipping bill.
discussed at the last session. but az
yet passed ~ neither house. In may
judgment such legislation is imperar
lively needed and can not wisely be
postponed. The government must
open these gates OF trade, and open
them wide; open them before it II
altogether profitable to open them. or
altogether reasonable to ask private
capital to open them at . venture.
It is not q question of the government
monopolizing the field. 1t should take
action to make Il certain that trans-
portation at reasonable rates will be
promptly provided, even where the
carriage il 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 this opin-
ion, and that both houses will adopt
this exceedingly important bill.
The great subject of rural credits
1t is q matter of deep regret that the
difficulties Of the subject have seemed
to render 1t impossible to complete
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
will at this time call your attention
to: but would be negligent of
very manifest duty were 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.
chartlns Of Our Coasts.
There Is another matter Of which
must make special mention, II am
to discharge my conscience, lest 1t
should escape your attention. It may
seem 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
proVlsloH lOT tue survey ana cnaFt1n8
of our coasts.
1t Is Immediately pressing and exi-
gent In connection with the immense
coast line Of Alaska. This ia a matter
which, as have said, seems small,
but ts in reality very great. Its Inn
portance has only to be looked into
to be appreciated.
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