Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-02

part payment for the use of its credit
the naval reserve idea which the Brit
ish government has worked out with
the Cunard line. The ships would be
liable to come into the navy in war
and the sailors on board would be liza
Bile to naval duty. The British gov
eminent also has some advantage in
preferential payments and other pro-
tections.
Part of Crews for Navy.
But this would not cover the whole
matter as far as the United States
Is concerned. The difference in the
administration wage scale would have
20 be overcome in some way, Mr..
Baker suggests-and the suggestion is
not novel, ii having been worked out
by other countries-that the United
States enlist on each American ship
proportion of the crew who should
be members OF the American navy
reserve. 1t would pay the men an
extra compensation on account of be-
ing in this reserve.
The plan Is not unlike what has
been proposed in connection with the
army. where it has been suggested
that men whose time has expired be
registered and required TO report thei
whereabouts to the war department,
to take part in maneuvers from time
to time and to be under obligation to
rejoin the army in case of war. For
this service they should be on the
payroll at some nominal sum, This
plan, in connection with shorter en-
listments. has been advanced as a
practical scheme to have always on
hand large number of men who are
practically veterans.
McAdoo Pushes Original Plan.
Mr.. Baker has not gotten very far
towards convincing the president that
he should give up his ship purchase
bill, though the fact that he visits ana
discusses the matter amicably with
the head of the administration shows
that he has not given up hope nor
been invited not to call again.
one obstacle in his path Is that he
must convince, not only the president,
but Secretary McAdoo. The latter ~
actively pushing the ship purchase bill
and Is said to be stalking his future
political standing on getting 1t through
at this short session and making some
Roadway with its operation before an
other general election comes around.
If he could point to flag on the high
seas it would be a feather in his cap.
Secretary McAdoo is said to have
been converted to the ship PURCHASE
bill by friends in New York, who have
suggested to him that he can do Tor
his country's Transportation on the
seas what he did for the city of New
York. His daring plan of tunnel
revolutonized passenger transporta-
ton into New York.
Csaaeatapx, CnaG Rio nnnDIsfuuitN
The secretary Of the treasury is not
at all diffident about his powers. He
is willing to take many chances to ac-
complish something striking and has
become convinced that this is the way
to make a dent on the imagination OF
the American people that Will be last
ing.
stevens Agrees With Baker.
If there is one man in the house
who knows more than any other
member about this problem 1t Is +. Z.
Stevens of Minnesota, Mr., stevens
agrees substantially with Mr.. Baker.
Il know Mr.. Baker" he said. He -,
in my Judgment. disinterested and
practical. His ideas are better than
those of the ship purchase crowd.
The problem is a big one. 1t is not
merely academic. ii needs to be set
tied. We don't seem to get anywhere
toward a solution.
Take the LaFollette seaman's bill
il Is utterly hostile TO the safety az
sea convention. The one says we
agree with other nations as to GER
tain thing that may be demanded on
ships The other says that we may
by domestic laws make any regula-
tons we please. The idea Is prepos-
ferrous. The LaFollctte bill and some
other things would destroy all we
have attempted since the Titanic dis
aster to produce conditions of safety
at sea"
Another problem In connection
with the merchant marine Is that of
banking facilities. The federal re-
serve board has power to set up
branches abroad. but in the judgment
OF Mr.. stevens it would do well to lei
our banks open branches as they now