Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-13
MERCHANT FLEET
MOST VITAL NEED,
MADOO ASSERTS
Secretary of Treasury
Wants Ship Purchase
Bill introduced
400 SHIPS FOR NAVY
copyrlsht. ieiS. BY the United Pross.

Copyright iaiB. by the United Pross.
WASHINGTON. oct. 13.-The reasons
why. in his opinion. a merchant marine
bill should be passed at the coming Con-
fress were explained by Secretary Of the
rreasury McAdoo in an interview today
II was his first detailed interview since
assuming office.
Five fundamentally necessary factors
require that the Government come to the
cid of American shipping, the Secretary
declared. These factors, he held, were:
First Necessity for an auxiliary
feet for the navy--a measure of pre-
paredness in keeping with the Govern
ment's plan Of rehabilitating the ma
tion's defenses.
Second. The necessity for an inn
mediate relief of American commerce.
go that American shippers and pro-
ducers may not be dependent upon for
eign flags and the exorbitant rates and
Insecure routes Of an unregulated
merchant marine.
Third. The hopelessness of private
capital coming promptly and vigor-
ously to the relief of American foreign
trade
agency Of sufficient strength and re-
sources to give the quick assistance
that is necessary.
Fifth Delay means not only rejec-
ton of the full possibilities for eN-
pansloD of trade, but neglect Of the
greatest commercial opportunity ever
offered nation.
IN THE LIGHT OF EVENTS.
"In the light Of world events" the Sec
retary said, ''the creation of a merchant
marine Under the American flag is the
most vital economic problem facing the
American people today. | hope and be-
lieve the President will recommend the
passage of legislation at the approach
ing session, | hope that the shipping
bill. altered so as to make it meet all
the conditions of today, will become law.
The fundamentals of the bill should be
retained, but. in view of the military les
sons drawn from the European war. II
should be so modified as not only to Gre
ate an American merchant marine, but
to provide a feet of steamers responsive
to the requirements of naval auXiliaries
IN time of war. In speeches which l ex-
pect to make on my present trip I will
further explain my views on these
changes"
The Secretary leaned forward to en-
phasize his earnestness, and went on with
outstretched arm:
There can be no difference of opinion
as 10 the necessity for adequate naval
auxiliarfes and for the development OF
our navy homogeneously, so that all its
parts will be sufficient and work i'm thor
ough reciprocation. The acute situations
that have arisen in our foreign relations
have emphasized more than ever the
necessity for an adequate navy-a navy
not lopsided and unbalanced, but thor
oughly developed and we'll balanced in
all OF its. parts"
The Secretary turned to his desk to dig
up figures from the Navy Department
showing the navy requires 400 merchant
vessels for auXiliaries
ut is common knowledge" he con-
tipHet, that this tonnage-1,1 600 gross
tons-can only be supplied in part from
the vessels now under American registry.
Obviously, these naval auxliaries, If built
by the Government. cannot be left idle
IN our hRrbors.
ECONOMIC SIDE OF PROJECT.
"There are two paramount reasons why
such vessels, If built, should be operated
IN commerce:
First II the real object is to create
an efficient naval reserve, we must trair
and educate sufficient body of Ameri
can seamen to man these auxiliaries II
time Of peace and constitute in time o.
war the. trained body Of valiant mel
upon whom the country must depend TO
its protection.
Second. We must operate these ship
IN commerce for the welfare and pros
perity of our country, and while doinI
this keep the ships in first-class condi