New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-04
Government Only Lacks a
Merchant Marine, Says
the Secretary.
BACK FROM COAST, :
TO URGE NEW LAWS
Changes in Public Building Pol
icy Called a Meditation
Alive to Foreign Trade.
From The Tribune Bureau


Washington, Nov. 3.-The United
States is entering on IAN era of the
greatest prosperity in the history Of
the country" said Secretary McAdoo
Of the Treasury Department, on his
return to-day from the Pacific Coast.
To take full advantage Of this pros
perity, only government owned mer-
chant ships were needed, the Secretary
pointed out.
Mr.. McAdoo also made il plain that
he would fight before Congress for =
more intelligent" method ~ auth 49,
ing as well as constructing public
buildings. In the past. he uec.ar-D. ...-
sufficient provision had been made for
future growth. While in the West he
inspected public building sites IN about
twenty cities.
Throughout my trip across the con-
tinent, both going and returning, ! was
impressed with the unmistakable eyl-
denccs of prosperity, confidence ana
optimism in practically every line OF
business" said Mr.. McAdoo. THE
lumber industry. which has been de-
pressed for the last seven or eight
years, due TO well known economic
causes. seemed TO be the only execution
20 the rule. but even the lumber BUSH
ness is rcviving.
"The industrial and commercial ac-
tivity now prevalent throughout the
country is based primarily upon the
phenomenal economic and financial
strength Of the United States-the
greatest of any nation in the world
and the awakening of our people to the
great opportunities now open 10 them
for the expansion Of our foreign trade.
Surplus Would Find Markets.
"If we avail of these opportunities
and gain our share of the diversified
markets of the world We shall secure
a stable and permanent prosperity OF
UNPARALLELED proportions because there
will then be Il constant demand Tor our
surplus products which will keep en-
ployed to the full the energies OF the
nation.
"If we have broad foreign markets
the law of average will work and keep
the demand for our products steady
and constant. Depression in the mar
kets in one part Of the world will be
Offset by the increased demand in other
rar.s Of the world II is because the
United States has not heretofore pos
sessed its full share of the worlds
markets that we have had such ex-
tremes Of prosperity and business de-
preston in the past. =.
I've have also been badly handi-
capped in the past by bad monetary
system. Now We have a splendid mon
ctary system, created by the Federal
Reserve act, and have the resources TO
finance our domestic necessities as well
as the largest foreign trade that we
can secure.
"Let us, by some intelligent measure,
provide promptly a merchant marine
under the American flag. i is an IN
dispensable corollary TO the Federal
Reserve act. and an imperative neces-
sity for naval preparedness and COM
mercial supremacy. With this accom-
pljshed. nothing can stop or check our
prosperity and future growth. | ear
restlv hone that the Congress may find
satisfactory solution Of this very
vital problem.
Federal Buildings Outgrown.
"The Federal buildings and postoffice
structures were inspected in about
twenty cities and towns. almost every
one OF which had a population of more
than ten thousand inhabitants. ! fund
the government buildings already
outprown. and in many instances both
the government service and the com
munities are in need of space In many
of these cities and towns the gov'ln-
ment is paying large annual rentals TOR
the housing of its activities in struc-
lures outside Of the Federal buildings.
"This condition is the natural result
of the enormous expansion Of the pos
tel business and all Federal activities
during the past quarter Of n century,
together With the corresponding growth
and development of the rural COM
munities. as well as the unsatisfa DRY
method by which public buildings have
n authorized and constructed in
pas.. We can, am sure. find more
intelligent WY Of authorizing as well
as constructing public buildings, so
that needless waste may be avoided nd
the biggest degree Of utility, convent
fence and service may be obtained.
"A policy should be adopted hat
will care for the actual needs of the
government service wherever these
needs may exist. whether IN big cities
or rural communities. The merits OF
each case should determine the qres-
ton of a public building. This is
situation with which the Congress
alone can deal but | feel confident
that when all the facts are laid before
that body the proper remedy vii! be
found"