The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-23
Lewis Nixon Famous Naval Constructor and
Expert, Points Out the Ruinous Results of
Our T3arine Policy Which Flakes Us Lose
r2stead Of Gain BY E.urope's Tragic Strife.

Let us examine the laws passed at the FRS,
Congress and sec how commerce with forcisn
nations was regulated Tor surely their authors
knew the meaning Of constitutional regulation.
80 clear was the course charted by the
constitution that Jefferson. Madison and Ham
iton we're in perfect accord
We may safely believe that tho men who
jooh part IN me framing OF the Constitution
knew what was meant by its provisions They
we're leaders in public THOUGHT, nnl
many OF tncn members Of the First Congress
laat carried the ideals and intentions OF the
ton
Then The War Of 1872, purposely provided 20
che" our maritime growth, was fought In
1919 as the price OF peace. abandoned dis
C.ilniaa ion IL tho direct trade. trade 10 or
.roM . country entirely III the ships OF the two
countries. But the GROWING act OF unwisdoIn
and national betrayal was when we. in 1875
threw open our indirect trade 10 favored
lions.
AS result OF abandoning preference for
cur OWE commerce there has been constant
decline OF the proportion OF trade carried
IN Gus ships from :2H per cent. in 1876 10
about per cent. at the present time
OF course the losses due TO our Civil War
ne change from wood 20 iron. and from sails
10 steam. discrimination against our shipping
by ioreisn insurance and rating companies. the
bonded warehouses giving credit for duties.
CONTRACTS for advance charters. foreign ship.
iiAs conferences. trusts, ZOOS and combines
and payments now aggrcgatin2 $50 900 quo an.
nua!ly 20 support their shipping have supple.
nented this betrayal OF our national leeisa.
tors of duty enjoned by the Constitution aud
Before discussing remedies lie: Us see
whether rehabilitation is worth while
We are paying not less than $3.50 oc0 600
year 20 foreign vessels 20 do the carrying OF
opr people and our products on the oceans.
We shall double our foreign trade In the next
twenty-five years We find upon examination
OF statistics that more and more OF our exports
consist Of manufactured articles that must
seek markets through competition and less
and les ,. Of sacn products as ioreign nations
In 1907 We exported in round numbers
81 100000 600, and imported 81 zoo, 1000 so
that, other things being equal this balance OF
trade statement should indicate credit abroad
OF about 100000 600, but every time a steamer
"ent OUT taking a few hundreds OF thousands
Of eold a shiver went through our financial
districts. so there must be an unacCCunted
drain in some quarter This is the vast SUN
paid Tor ocean transportation, and long
TINS is not Kept al home We must dig ard dclYe
and swea 10 produce an excess of exports owe!
imports; cor commerce includes transportation
~ well as trade or barter and 4 balance o.,
trade statement as ordinarily given is mis-.
leading as would De the statement OF a me-.
chant which did not include his delivery
char-es We must add our trans portaticn
cAarses TO our IMPORTS. as they are the price
paid :or the product OF foreign plant just
as much so as If that product bolt OF
e-'f or case of wine.
Il Is said tina, we get value received But
+ cannot be denied that # we carry our ex.
ports In our own ships we increase our credi.
abroad where we want il increased, while il
We bring our imports in our vessels va
reduce our DEBT a. home where want il re-
dGCed. While our exports NAV be carried very
Well II Is certain that with all trade cOnnec.
tons in foreign hands they can largely control
the disposition and prices. English freight
charges, Tor example range the hishest. while
:hcy get our goods at the lowest possible rates.
Wheat is at times 80 poured into Liverpool
ana Bristol and so says the market that the
price OF wheat is lowered upon the distant
Farm.
snail not 20 into the Industrial. economic
military and political reasons that force an
independent nation TO have marine OF its
article longer than this one; bur shall content
myself with saying that until stop this drain
OF our basic money. we shall be subject TO re-
current periods Of depression
Without uniform prosperity we can no; have
cheap money; with the menace Of Il possible
call manufacturers can not undertake pro-
Grammes covering several years nor extend
credits. Naturally this affects our competitive
export trade
Of trade were turned into favorable balances OF
commerce by tile earnings OF merchant
feet.
y nation which depends upon other nations
TO do its carrying on the sea is tributary 70 the
nations that do its carrying, and as its de-
pendcncc increases, so Will the tribute.
The merchant marine necessary 10 make us
creditor nation not subject 10 panic and
bankruptcy in case OF foreign wars between our
present carriers is one OF from six 10 seven mil
lion tons.
At present lacking the a:l-pervadng MGR.
camille plant with worldwide connections that
we had in the days OF our marine prosperity.
before We suspended oar right to regulate
our own commerce. 1t costs more 10 carry
freight under the American nag than under
foreign faGs So much is this Tia case that