Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1915-02-18

''..' W 800 hAtA ' W W ShHIAANA Wy lllo
Government out Of the Treasury,
which means ultimately out of the
pockets OF the people by way of taxa.
ton Wherein, again ask, would this
dr.: from a subsidy?
JAe essential point in these calcu-
latiOns seems to have been complete
ly overlooked by the trainers and ad-
yocates Of this bill, who seem to think
that ships were all that is needed to
carry cargoes, and that is terminal
facilities Terminals are as necessary
to ships as to railways. Steamships
can not pull up al any landing and I'M
load its cargo on the bank, Deep har-
bors, especially constructed piers and
docking facilities, and huge ware
houses must all be provided before
hand. These abnormal world condi-
tons have congested and overtaxed all
the harbors Of Europe almost beyond
Imagination. The war drain upon men
has depleted the ranks of stevedores
and dock hands. On account OF these
delays 1t is said that It requires II
vessels now TO do the work OF under
normal conditions. The English ports
are congested largely because OF the
scarcity of labor; and in France they
have been compelled 10 use the Ger.
man prisoners to unload the ships and
clear the quays and docks. 1t is not
clear, as a business proposition, how
a few more Government.oWned YES.
sells can relieve this situation or emer-
gency. The Government would first
be compelled TO purchase, construct,
or lease more terminal facilities be-
fore il can relieve existing conditions,
and thus divert A large part OF the
capital of this corporation from the
purchase OF ships.
A recent editorial in the New York
Times very aptly illustrates this pro-
position. II says:
1T Is especially fatuous to provide
Government shipping or private ship
ping with Government aid when the
h''fHElAs VI lllt NdEt 10 uOl 81 llluill
shipping as facilities for loading and
, unloading To the facts on this fact
as given by carriers spokesman on
this side OF the ocean may now be
added incontestable evidence from the
other side. Twenty.one vessels ar.
rived in Liverpool last Thursday and
not one OF them was able to get a
berth to discharge its cargo.
1T would be idle to add TO such con.
gestion by providing more ships. The
trouble is not one Of trade, but OF war.
Some ports are closed, throwing more
business upon others than they could
do in favorable times. Many dock la
borers have enlisted and others are
earning such high wages that they are
independent. Commerce is not run.
ming in accustomed lines. Strange
boats are on unfamiliar routes and re-
! quire more attention than liners run.
ming on routine. II any Government
should intervene. II is not ours. We
are shipping full volumes OF goods at
our own prices. and the freight is paid
by the buyer. They should worry. not
We. We should worry only II those
who are more eager than wise should
thrust us into an experiment which 10
not only unnecessary In q commercial
sense, but Ia obnoxious politically.
Not only would this bill, In my judg.
NETT, fail to relieve the situation for
which It's promoters claim that II 10
designed, but II would have q tendency
TO paralyre personal initiative and pre-
vent private capital from entering the
neld and Investing in \ merchant ma
rine in competition with the Govern.
mentowned corporation, which 10 ex.
cmpt from taxation and insurance and
where all losses are recouped from the
Public Treasury.
Investigation has shown that Il
costs so TO 100 per cent more TO build
ships In this country than Il does
abroad, and that II costs about SlT.23S
more a year to operate a ship OF 3,oos
tons under the American than under
the British nas. These disabilities
under which our foreign trade now 10.
bors must be removed before one cas-
hope TO establish n merchant marine
that will thrive and grow and hold ito
own with that OF the other nations OF
the world Mr.. President, I shall vote
TO have this bill recommitted, because
/ hope and believe that there ID
enough patriotism and craftsmanship
in this august body 10 handle this vital
question in the wise and right way and
not from the viewpoint OF petty and
partisan politics. My suggestion "a
the Commerce Committee, which will
have the redsfting Of this bill. II re
committed, is to revise our foreign nav
igation laws as 10 place our merchant
marine on an exact equality with the
merchant marine OF Great Britain
France, Germany, Holland, Italy. and
other countries. This will not be in IN,
form OF a protection or subsidy. but viii
appeal TO the best efforts OF American
ability which has never yet failed. anC
thus enable American shipowners {,
meet the competition OF the other ma
tons of the world and actually foste,
and encourage a real American mer
chant marine.
| am opposed to giving up all OF tn,
present session OF Congress to n,
consideration OF this shipping bill