Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-18
Urges Revival of Merchant Marine.

Urges revival OF Merchant Marine.
Thomas o. Marvin of the Home Mar
ket Club. Boston, has sent the follow
ing letter to Majority Leader Under
wood:
Hon. Oscar w. Underwood,
House Office Building,
Washington, D. c.
Dear Mr. Underwood The European
crisis emphasizes the wisdom of the
fathers In endeavoring to make this ma
ton "a self-contained country" indie
pendent commercially as well as politi-
The complete breakdown of ocean car
rying facilities demonstrates the appali-
ing folly of negleeting to encourage and
develop an American merchant marine.
For years a numerous element in Con-
gress has bitterly opposed the applica-
ton of "the American policy" to our
shipping and the blow today falls hardest
upon the West and South where the OPP
position to the upbuilding of a merchant
marine was most pronounced.
You have frequently manifested your
sympathy with the effort TO revive our
shipping, and II ii is possible to arouse
Congress at this time to some broader
and more effective action than the pro-
posed emergency legislation, I most ear
nestly hope that you will take advantage
of the greatest opportunity that an ad-
vocate of a revival of American shipping
has had to put on the statute books long
needed legislation of a thorough
constructive character.
AS early as lisa Thomas Jefferson pro-
posed to the Continental Congress legis-
lation for the protection of American
shipping. This effort failed because the
Congress at that time had not been au-
thorized to regulate" trade Because of
the failure of this effort, James Madison
said "the states next endeavored to effect
their purposes by separate but concur
rent regulations. Here again the effort
grew the measures which terminated In
the establishment of a government COM
potent to the regulations Of our com.
merciai interests and the vindication of
our commercial rights"
The need of American ships and of the
power to protect them was one of the
compelling reasons for establishing the
Union.
Southern delegates at the constitu-
tional convention advocated measures
for the development of our shipping.
Charles Pinckney of South Carolina pro-
posed a clause for the regulation of COM
merce and Mr.. Rutledge also of South
Carolina. reminded the House of the
necessity of securing the West Indian
trade" and that "a navigation act was
necessary for obtaining IT." James
Madison. in the course OF a strong speech
said: 1.-THE security afforded by the In
crease of our maritime strength"
This same Idea was expressed by Gov
ernor Morris of Pennsylvania who said
that preferences to American ships will
multiply them till they can carry south
ern produce cheaper than IT is now car
ried. "A navy" he said, was essential
to security. particularly of the Southern
states. and can only be had by. 'navi-
cation act encouraging American bot
toms and seamen."
The events of the past few days have
demonstrated to the people of the coun-
try, and particularly to the South and
West the imperative need of American
ships, and the wisdom of the fathers In
- .tA IL Aeh n ri q n
interests has again been vindicateu.
We sorely need a revival of the Amerf-
canism of Washington, Jefferson and
Madison, and under your strong leader
ship ! hope that the policies of Wash
ington, Jefferson and Madison may be in
voked to restore the former high pres
tige of American shipping.
Respectfully yours,
(Signed) Thomas 0, Marvin, Sec.
Should a general European war be
prolonged the United States might
have vital necessity for a great mer-
chant marine, in the worlds war tenn
per and the developments of map
changing events. The possibilities of
outgrowth of the present complica-
tons are beyond grasp, but today as
never before. the average American
has had brought home to him the
folly of allowing our merchant marine
to become the laughing stock Of the
world. The repeal of free canal tolls
focused attention upon the subject as
nothing before had done. and while
that act is still ranking In the minds
Of intelligent Americans, comes sud
den necessity Of which none had ever
dreamed Now the West and South,
which have always overthrown New
England's wise counsel and earnest
demand, are clamoring riotously for
American shipping.
The first act of the President and
Congress should be to undo the canal
tolls folly and encourage the building
and registry of ships for coastwise
trade that should be available for just
such emergencies as exist today. Here
Is an opportunity for Democracy to re-
deem some of Its blunders. and the
people will think more OF leaders who
are wise enough to recognize and big
enough to reverse mistaken policies.