The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-09

build them. but in another way. There
fore / propose another way of provid-
ing the means of transportation. which
must precede, not tardily follow. the
neiehbor states of America. It may
seem a reversal of the natural order of
things, but 1t is true, that the routes OF
trade must be actually opened-by
many ships and regular sailing ana
moderate eharges-before streams of
merchandise will flow freely and profit
ably through them.
Hence the pending shipping bill, dis
cussed at the last session but as yet
passed bs neither House. In my judg-
ment such legislation Is imperatively
needed and cannot wisely be post
poned. 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 10
open them at a venture. II Is not
question of the government monopoliz-
ing the field. 1t should take action to
make It certain that transportation at
reasonable rates will be promptly pro-
vided even where the carriage is not
at first profitable; and then, when the
carriage has become sufficiently profit
able to attract and engage private cap
ital, and engage 1t in abundance, the
government ought to withdraw. | very
earnestly hope that the Congress VIII
be of this opinion. and that both Houses
will adopt this exceedingly important
bill.
Rural Credits
The great subject of rural credits still
remains to be dealt with and it is
n.a tier of deep regret that the difficulties
of the subject have seemed TO render IL
impossible to complete a bill for passage
at this session. But Il cannot be perfect
ed vet and therefore there are no other
constructive measures the necessity OF
which | will at this time call your at
tentlon to; but 1 would be negligent OF
very manifest duty were l not to call
the attention OF the Senate TO the fact
that the proposed convention for safety
at sea awaits Its confirmation, and that
the limit fixed in the convention itself
for its acceptance is the last day OF tho
present month. The conference In which
this convention originated was called by
the United States; the representatives OF
the United States played very influen-
tial part indeed in framing the provisions
OF the proposed convention; and those pro-
visions are in themselves for the most
part admirable 1t would hardly be con-
sistent with the part we have played in
the whole matter to let 1t drop and go by
the board as If forgotten and neglected.
man government and in August ny the
Parliament of Great Britain. 1t marks
most hopeful and decided advance in
international civilization. We should
show our earnest good faith in a great
matter by adding our own acceptance
of ii.
There is another matter of which must
make special mention, IL l am to dis
charge my conscience. lest 1t should es-
cape your attention. 1t 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 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 1t is also very Important indeed
with regard to the older coasts of the
continent. We cannot use our great
Alaska domain, ships will not ply thither
il those coasts and their many hidden
dangers are not thoroughly surveyed and
charted The work Is incomplete at al
most every point Ships and lives have