The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-05

been placed In our shipyards and a
large number of ships would already
have been under construction But.
IL ships could not have been bought
promptly, the company had authority
ITO lease ships, as before stated, and
undoubtedly a very considerable feet
of vessels could have been assembled
by this time to carry our cotton and
other American products upon the high
seas at reasonable rates Of freight
and with corresponding benefit TO all
the American people. The rapacity
Of foreign steamship owners would
have been checked. The competition
by the government owned corporation
would have compelled them TO carry
cargoes at reasonable rates. and an
immense amount OF money would have
been saved to the American farmer
ana The American, snaaalkactnfsSs who
ship their goods to foreign markets
A Nest Tmpcrtant Measure.
There was no more important bill
for the best interests of the South
and the Southern people than this
shipping bill. II was nlibustered to
death In the last Senate of the United
states by the Republican party. aided
I regret to say. by some Democratic
Senators, several of whom are from
the South It 10 time not only fol
the Southern people, but for the Amer
lean people, TO look this momentous
shfpping problem squarely in the
face. These are times when condi.
tons are extraordinary and we must
resort to extraordinary measures, !!
necessary. to meet them. why should
the American people allow their In.
lterests TO suffer merely because soms
are too timid to act or too unintelii.
gent to act. or afraid TO utilize ths
great powere and resources OF our gov.
eminent TO rescue us from a situation
where private capital refuses to act,
The paramount duty OF the hour 10 tt
protect American rights ana American
interests through the strong arm o,
our government. which IL the only re.
liable agency upon which the people
may depend to solve national problems
|'of such magnitude as those which nov
confront us.
Must Protect Americsn Interests.
We must protect American rights
and American interests with hrmness
with justice. with courage and with en-
terprise. We cannot do this unless we
have our own ships. We cannot longer
he dependent upon foreign hags. I,
IL not safe to do 20. We need Arneri-
can ships. not only for the expansion
Of our commerce, but We imperatively
require them AZ auxiiiaries for ouI
navy. Our navy Ia today sorely handi-
capped because there are not enough
American ships OF suitable tonnage and
character to form an effective naval
auxiliary in time OF war A modern
navy without adequate and suitable
naval auxiiiaries Is rendered helpless
for offensive operations, ct any con-
siderable distance from its home base
We would be justified today In spAnd-
ing nifty to sixty million dollars fcr
the creation OF an adequate feet Of
naval auxiliaries. Thess auxiliariea
could be used In time OF peace for the
training ana education Of the Ameri.
can seamen. upon whose courage and
valor and knowledge we should have
to depend in the event Of war. while
in time of peace they could BE- used
| in the fruitful pursuit. Of trading with
enduring benefit to the commerce. the
industry and the prosperity Of ous
country.
Private Capatai WIN MOT Act.
rIt Ia simply fatuous TO hope thai
private capital win provide these ships
Private capital viii not provide them
|evsn X ~ navigation lawG aboui
lleh thers r. Nv nA1ch irrs1yoneihl!