Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-12-09

built, and If we had it to do over again
we should of course build them, but
In another way Therefore propose
another way of providing the means
of transportation which must precede,
not tardily follow, the development
of our trade with our neighbor states
of America 1t 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 sailings and moderate
charges-before streams of merchan-
disc will flow freely and profitably
through them.
Must Open Gates Of Trade.
Hence the pending shipping bill
discussed at the last session, but as
yet passed by neither house. In my
Judgment such legislation is impera
lively needed and can not wisely be
postponed. The government must
open these gates of trade. and open
them wide; open them before it is
altogether profitable to open them, or
altogether reasonable to ask private
capital to open them at a venture.
1t is not question of the government
monopolizing the field 1t should take
action to make it certain that trans
portation at reasonable rates will be
carriage is not at first profitable; and
then, when the carriage has become
sufficiently profitable to attract and
engage private capital, and engage 1t
in abundance, the government ought
to withdraw. l 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
still remains to be dealt with, and
1t is matter of deep regret that the
difficulties of the subject have seemed
to render it 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 a
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. The con-
ference in WHICH this convention or
iginated was called by the United
States; the representatives of the
United States played a very infiuen
tial part indeed in framing the provi
sions of the proposed convention; and
those provisions are in themselves
for the most part admirable. 1t would
hardly be consistent with the part
we have played in the whole matter
to let it drop and go by the board
as if forgotten and neglected. 1t was
ratified in May last by the German
government and in August by the
parliament of Great Britain. 1t marks
a most hopeful and decided advance
in international civilization. We
should show our earnest good faith
in great matter by adding our own
acceptance of it.
Chartins of Our Coasts.
There is another matter of which
] must make special mention, if | am
to discharge my conscience, lest it
should escape 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
provision for the survey and charting
of our coasts.
1t is Immediately pressing and ext
gent in connection with the immense
coast line Of Alaska. A coast line
themselves, though it is also very
important indeed with regard to the
older coasts of the continent. We
cannot use our great Alaskan domain,
ships will not ply thither. if those
coasts and their many hidden dangers
are not thoroughly surveyed and
charted.
The work is incomplete at almost
every point. Ships and lives have
been lost in threading what were sup
posed to be well-known main chan,
nels. We have not provided adequate
vessels or adequate machinery for the
survey and charting. We have used
old vessels that were not big enough
or strong enough and which were so
nearly unseaworthy that our inspec-
tors would not have allowed private
owners to send them to sea. This is
a matter which, as / have said, seems
small. but is in reality very great. Its
importance has only to be looked into
to be appreciated.
Economy Is Urged.
Before | close, may say a few
words upon two topics. much dis
cussed out OF doors. upon which it is
highly important that our judgments
should be clear, definite and steadfast.
One of these Is economy In govern
ment expenditures. The duty Of econ.
omy Is not debatable. 1t Is manifest
and imperative. In the appropriations
We pass we are spending the money
~ tho praat manila whOca oarvantS