Lower coast gazette., 1914-12-12

erraj in the way in which we have
stunted and hindered the development
of our merchant marine. And now
when we need ships, we have net got
them.
I have come to ask you to remedy
and correct these mistakes n olnis-
sions The time and the circumstances
are extraordinary, and so must our ell
forts be also.
Use and Conservation.
Fortunately, two great measures
finely conceived, the n to unlock,
with proper safeguards, the resources
of the national domain, the other TO
encourage the use Of the naVlgaDie
water outside that domain for the
generation of power, have already
rassed the house of representatives
and are ready for immediate consider
alton and action by the senate. WIN
the deepest earnestness l urge the'r
prompt passage.
And there is another great piece OF
,eo;slation which awaits and should
receive the sanction of the senate:
mean the bill which gives a larger
measure of self-government to the peo-
ple of the Philippines. l cannot believe
that the senate will let this great
measure of constructive justice await
the action of another congress- us
passage would nobly crown the recoru
of these two years of memorable Id
Dor.
An Important Duty.
But l thin. that you will agree
with me that this does not compiete
the toll of our duty. How are we 10
carry u goods to the empty markets
of which l have spoken If we nave
not the certain and constant means
. of transportation upon which all pront'
, able and useful commerce depends:
I And how are we to get the ships II
; wa wait for the trade to develop with
8 out them?
The routes of trade must be actually
r opened-by many ships and regular
q sailings and moderate charges-before
streams of merchandise will flow free
j. ly and proftably through them.
3 Must Open Gates Of Trade.
Hence the pending shipping Dill
d discussed at the last session, but al
vet passed ~ neither house, In ma:
r. Judgment such legislation is impera
sr lively needed and can not wisely D
le postponed. The government mus
open these gates Of trade, and ope
them wide; open them before 1t !
is altogether profitable to open them, Q
8. altogether reasonable to ask priVat
le capital to open them at a venture
L. It is not a question of the governmer
n monopolizing the field. 1t should tax
Nv action to make Il certain that tran
rs + portation at ~reasbaabIe rates will
ar promptly provided. even where tt
in carriage is not at first profitable; an
We then, when the carriage has becon
IN sufficiently profitable to attract an
in engage private capital, and engage
III. in abundance, the government Dug
ho to withdraw. ! very earnestly hol
m. that the congress will be Of this OPT
re ion, and that both houses will ado
ale this exceedingly important bill.
,at The great subject Of rural credl
all still remains to be dealt with, a
az It is a matter of deep regret that t
nd difficulties of the subject have seem
to render 1t impossible to compile
q bill for passage at this session. b
it can not be perfected yet, and the
u fore there are no other construct
Ses measures the necessity for which
oy. will at this time call your attenti
mo to; but I would be negligent OF
very manifest duty were l not to 9
the attention of the senate to the II
aoy that the proposed convention for sa
ty at sea awaits its confirmation a
10 that the limit fixed in the convent
ave itself for it's acceptance Is the
do, day Of the present month.
u@ chartins Of Our Coasts.
There is another matter Of VIII
must make special mention, If /
to discharge my conscience, lest
should escape your attention. 1t n
seem a very small thing. It affe
'ne only a single item Of appropriate
sup. But many human lives and mi
VI great enterprises hang upon it.
lo~ 1t is the matter of making adequ
iof- provision for the survey and chart
No of our coasts.
mar II, is Immediately pressing and
OUT gent in connection with the imme
anu coast line of Alaska. This is a ma
rica. which. as l have said, seems sn
sup but is in reality very great. Its
&C portance has only to be looked
'reat to be appreciated.
act Economy IL Urged.
Before l close, may l say q
-.sn words upon two topics, much
s" cussed out of doors, upon which
highly important that our judgm
should be clear, definite and stead
One Of these Is economy In gov
mat ment expenditures. The duty OF 6
, the omy Is not debatable. 1t Is man
" to and important. In the %appropriat
'eady we pass we are spending the M
rs at Of the great people whose serv
fully we are-not u own. We are