Evening journal., 1914-04-15
SUBSIDIES ANp rHE MERcHANr MARINE.

DRESIDENT WILSON asserts that he is opposed to
the granting OF subsidies for the upbuiding Of
the American merchant marine because such subsidies
would benefit only few ships-cwners.
II he be so oblivious to the great benefits which
the public enjoys through the operation Of privately
owned steam and sailing craft, he might with equal
reason the Federal policy Of appropriating
many millions Of dollars every year for the improve
ment Of American rivers and harbors and enunciate
the policy that II the private shp-owaers wish TO use
such rivers and harbors IN the pursuit OF their busi
ness they should carry those improvements them
selves pay for them OF their pockets and not
look TO the public TO provide channels OF eommuni-
cation and safe places of refuge for their craft
AS matter OF fact, subsidy Is induce
ment, and the improvement Of our rivers and
harbors is an inducement, TO private capital 70
build and operate steam and sailing vessels. In
principle the object IL the same. Unfortunately for
the United States, the other great nations OF the
earth not only granted subsidies In the Of
river harbor improvements but they have granted
other and more direct subsidies to the
OF such improvements after they have been provided.
The result has been that while our merchant marine
engaged IN foreign commerce has dwindled to almost
nothing under the no-subsdy policy, the merchant
rine Of other and liberal nations has made
derful forward strides Therefore, the anomalous sit
uaton exists OF the United States keeping It's rivers
and harbors which used by deep-sea craft i'm
proved, great annual expense less for the Of
Of ships flying foreign flags Those foreign ships
not only enjoy in largest the benefits Of
river and harbor improvements designed for deep-sea
carriers but they also enjoy In largest the
benefits Of the carrying trade in both directions be-
tween the United States and foreign shores
Many years ago an American statesman whose fund
of common sense WAS enriched by a vein OF humor
sized up the American mercantile marine situation In
these words
"we have plenty OF water All We need Is the
ships"
And that is true today as It was then as regards
deep-sea traHc, We have coast line extending thou
sands Of miles, have SPLENDID rivers and harborsj
we have millions Of Of incoming and outgoing
goes. Foreign bottoms operating largely under for
eign subsidies, doing the vast bulk Of foreign
carrying trade.
The total foreign trade of the United States in
chandse in the fiscal year 1918 valued at s4,27s,
s62ss3 OF that s2465 ss4149 was exports and ST.
si997S234 was imports In other words the great
Of In favor, and the exports and
imports exceeded those in the fiscal year 1912 by
S421.27494O. In addition, imported valued at
$1O5.92S,Ss4 retained IN warehouses, most Of
which being held for release after the enactment
Of the tariff bill then pending IN Congress. The mer-
chandise thus stored will not appear imports until
the end Of the current fiscal year.
1t is well worthy Of note In this connection that
the basis OF the value of exports and imports only
"a per cent Of this country's foreign
ried In American vessels IN the fiscal year 1912.
compared with 81 per cent in 1911 and 1912 The
per centage figures 1913 available they
will not show material increase In favor Of American
bottoms In fact 70 show how American vessels have
dWindled IN the handling of foreign trade II only
Is necessary TO the following per centages
ering tho imports aud exports carried in American
vessels from 1921 TO 1912 inclusive;