Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-11
N ADOO DEFENDS
ADMINISTRATION
SHIPPING BILL
Declares Measure Is NeCeS-
Say to Safeguard American
interests; Private Capital
Has Failed,

Chicago, Jan. 10.-Secretary Me-
Adoo declared last night in a speech
to the Commercial club that the adj
ministration ship purchase bill now
pending in congress offers the only So
luton of the problem of how to build
up an adequate American merchant
marine, 1t promises, he said, to
overcome many of the obstacles the
European war has thrust in the path
Of American trade expansion and to
help prosperity.
The creation of an American mer-
chant marine, he argued, is not par
tlsan question but a policy which has
received the Endorsement of both the
democratic and republican parties fol
thirty-five years. Failure of the re-
publican party to legislate to that end,
in twenty-five years of power, he
said, showed it the more culpable.
THE democratic party" he added,
now has the power to legislate, and
it will be equally eulpable if il fails
to act 1t will be even more culpable,
L 1t does nothing. since the emergen-
cy created by the European war has
emphasized. aus nothing else could have
done, the supreme folly Of subjecting
the foreign commerce of this great
nation to the hazards of ocean trans
portation under the flags of nations
now engaged in the most gigantic war
ot all time. Regardless of these haz-
Gds' 1t is even great folly, from an
economic point of view, to continue
delberately the policy of trying to
oulld up great foreign trade by
leaving to our rivals the control of
the vitality important instrumentalties
OF ocean transportation. SO long as
our competitors own the ships, they
make the rates, they control the SER
wee and they determine the routes
With this power it is easy to favor
'heir own commerce and discriminate
against ours.
50 long as England commands the
SEA, our commerce will not be
stopped, But who can foreter the
eyentualties of a great war? 1t is
conceivable that daring German
squadron might get into the Atlantic
ana play havoc with our commerce in
pfitsh bottoms. No one can tell how
iohs the war will last and every day
''lat It continues our foreign trade is
subject to its vicissitudes and dangers.
= lair to our producers. our mer-
enahts ana our manufacturers to
iolee such risks upon them? Are we
'us'llled IN putting the prosperity Of
'uI country in needless jeopardy"
me secretary pointed out that the
Mtndrawal Of IS per cent of the
MVtlds total steam tonnage-Which |
Deiore the war amounted to As, 400,- |
WV tons-had operated to increase
Ivan freight rates in unprecedented |
.0snloh' The lack of American bot !
'onls and the fact that neutral ships
oamhot be depended upon has practi-
'y destroyed the trade of the Unit /
VI states with some of the belliger- !
ent nations in non-contraband arti- !
rvs MI McAdoo referred to the in
siease IN rates and said that on all |
.O'i'lodlties it has amounted to be-
wen 90 and 300 per cent whether
~ sues We're for English, European
VI mediterranean ports.
lhese enormous increases, he |
AZ" constitute "A heavy tax on the |
81 leah producer. They are re-
e',eu IN the lessened prices which |
~ mas been compelled to take for
e product The Increased cost Of
'sihs American produce and COM
,... '4'tles TO European ports since the /
plohe out runs into millions.
hls great sum represents a heavy |
~ i'ai has been eXaoted by foreign |
e''sAlp owners from American /
"'tN'ff ana producers 4 n, in ef- I
ha, Z penalty they are paying for he |
T'N3e ~ American politicians 20 oar-
si men repeated promises 20 ne /
a''. '1AA people Fpfelgn owners
.4 increase theiF faies over nlght /
We have no power % pfe-
tNa va mAH paN me price
N9i sHlpmeulH Already Qpfl
r g being Injured Hna qnf
e fNlnH FaiaflfH HF me fa /
4 iahA II WINWf Which ifHi
HFaA g ~ Hhial AA V