The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-11-02

The Southern Commercial Congress,
Ill advocacy of the Alexander BILL now
pending In Congress, providing for the
establishment of an American merchant
marine, prepared the following state
nent In answer to criticisms tina; have
been advanced against the proposed
measure. The announcement from the
White House conveys the Information
that President Wilson favors the en-
actmcnt into law of the Alexander
bill. and that the administration will
put forth every effort toward that end
when the sixty-fourth Congress con-
vcncs.
The committee on the merchant ma
rinc OF the House of Representatives
In Its report of September S, 1914. on
the government ownership and opera
ton OF merchant vessels in the for
cign trade OF the United States. said ::
|. I'VE shall not discusa the desirable
ity OF having an American merchant
marine. We viii assume that there
Is no difference OF opinion on that
point" M
No one can honestly take issue with
that statement of the committee.
In order to establish an American
merchant marine. the above committee
after full elaboration. favorably re-
ported bill authorizing the govern
ment. acting through, II shipping hoard
composed of members OF the Cabinet.
under the direction OF the President
to acquire and operate merchant ves-
sells In the foreign trade OF the. United
States, these vessels also to be avail
able as naval auXiliarics.
OBJECTIONS DEVELOP
FROM TWO SOURCES
Objections to the shipping bill now
before Congress have developed from
two sources. 1t was to be expected
that there would be objection BY ship
ping interests. which have bcen reap
ing the benefit of American inactivity
in the foreign shipping trade. 1t was
also to be expected that certain finan-
cial interests and their Affiliations, es-
pecially those interested in foreign
shipping. would object to n govern
ment merchant marine.
Opponents to the hill have advanced
arguments to sustain their position,
but not one OF them will stand analysis.
Many newspapers and periodicals are
opposing the bill. but the fact that
they enjoy considerable advertising and
other patronage from the steamship
lines and the financial interests that
are opposing the bill. may go far to-
wards explaining their position on this
great question of an American mcr-
chant marine.
i. Opponents to the ball says that
there are large number OF ships Mt
present in American harbors unable to
government merchant marine.
y recent Investigation has proved this
not TO be true. Ships sock cargocs ut
all times. but tho present chartering
market is very firm; and when the
question of foreign credits is settled
and commerce begins to move. as il
must very shortly, there will be 4 posi-
tive famine In ships as over 5000. 900
tons OF German and Austrian shipping
are completely out OF commission. to
say nothing Of the large number Of
British, French and Russian merchant
ships, which have been taken over by
their respective governments for trans
ports and naval auxiliaries
There are. all told, considerably less
than 100 American ships in the foreign
trade in the whole world, including
all of the ships which have just taken
American registry to secure the protcc-
ton of the dag on account of the war.
None Of these ships is idle. Therefore
even though there were hundreds of
idle ships in every American harbor.
1t would not alter the necessity for
passing the shipping bill now before
Congress- as all such ships would be
foreign ships, and the object of this
bill is to establish an American mer-
chant marine.
LACK Of .>T"iRACTION
FOR PRIVATE CAPITAL
2. Opponents to the bill say that IL
the government will not enter the ship
ping business. private capital will pro-
vide an American merchant marine
This is rather Inconsistent with their
statement that the harbors are full
of idle ships for, If that is true. private
capital will find no attraction IN the
chipping business.
What likelihood is there 10 obtain
private capital for this new business.
especially to the amount contemplated
by the shipping bill, $4,000, 600. when
long established; going concerns find it
impossible to obtain money except ut
heavy rates
When tho city OF New York must pay
& per cent, including bankers commits
sions. for loan'of 100000 900; when
the State Of Tennessee found 1t most
difficult to obtain loan OF $1,000, 900,
1t is quite certain that private capital
will be unable to provide nm American
merchant marine. especially as 1t did
nothing in the matter while the oppor-
tunity was open during tho past fifty
years.
ts) Opponents to the bill say that