The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1915-10-22
NJ 'ADOO PLEADS
FOR AUXILIARY

san Francisco. Oct. sa.-In a plea
For the creation by the government OF
J. naval auxiliary merchant marine,
William G.. McAdoo, secrstary Of the
treasury addressing members of the
San Francisco commercial club said
today that If private capital could
not afford to provide adequate steam
shin service between Pacilc coast
points and the Orient the government
should provide these facilities for the
protection Of United States trade and
prosperity. -..r. ...
Secretary McAdoo was speaking
with reference to the seamen's bill and
the contention of the Pacific Mall
Steamship company that the passage
Of the act forced them to discontinue
business on the Pacific.
Mr.. McAdoo said that steamship
service from the Pacific coast to the
Orient is vital to the interests OF the
United States,
"If they cannot be maintained except
ut loss.'' suggested the cabinet mem
Der. ''Must we then do without these
facilities? I say no.
"In those circumstances such SER
vice should be provided under our
Gag and If private capital cannot af-
ford to provide it because 1t involves
loss, then the government should
provide the service and take the loss
for the general welfare OF all the peo-
pie and for the protection OF our trade
and prosperity, especially when the
vessels for such service become q
part of the naval auxiIfartes essential
TO the national defense.
Secretary McAdoo said that IL the
government shipping bill had been
passed in the last congress the Pacific
mail ships would not have been trans
cerred to the Atlantic.
'The shipping board" he said.
would undoubtedly have bought those
ships and kept them in the Pacific
trade where they are needed and the
interests of the Pacific coast would
have been saved from injury"
Referring to the seamen's bill and
the Pacific mail. Mr.. McAdoo said he
had been told that the seamen's hill
was not the main reason for the trans
Ter of the Pacific mail vessels.
''The Panama canal act and the fact
that the present abnormal rates for
cargo space on the Atlantic which
made 1t possible for the Pacific mail
to sell its ships at more than their real
value, was. understood, the true
cause Of their SALE" said the secretary.
What is the real fight in this mer-
chant CONTROVERSY" asked Secretary
McAdoo. 'It is a fight for subsidiar-
les. Every ship-owner and every ship
monopolist wants subsidies. But they
can't succeed because no democratic
congress will pass a ship subsidy bill.
The democratic party is pledged by
its platform against subsidies. Why
not accept the only practical plan
the creation by ftle government OF a
naval auxiliary merchant marine with
the money the subsidists want the
government to give to them"
Secretary McAdoo said the naval
auxiliary movement was non-partis-
an idea that should appeal to every
American as something necessary to
build up the shipping interests of the
United States. 1--WE should prepare
for peace" he said. "and at the same
time be so prepared as to be able to
look any nation in the face and ten
it to go to, IL necessary.
1--WE cannot with safety, rely upon
our ability to purchase or charter
suitable naval auxiliaries when a
crisis appears. We should provide for
this now. as soon as possible"