The Washington times., 1915-10-13
M'ADO0 OPENS
PLEA.:FOR SHIP
BILL THIS YEAR
Merchant Marine Necessary at
Once to Save Commerce, He
".
Says.

Tho reasons. in his opinion, a mer-
chant marine bill should he passed at
the coming Congress, were today ex-
planned by Secretary Of the Treasury
McAdoo In an exclusive interview to
the United Press. 1t was his first de-
tailed interview since assuming office.
Five fundamentally necessary factors
require that the Government come to
the aid Of American shipping. thu Sec
retary declared. These factors, he held,
were:
First--Necessity for an auxiliary fleet
for the navy--a measure OF prepared
ness in keeping with the Governments
plan Of rehabilitating the nations de-
fenses
Second-The necessity for the Inn
mediate relief Of American commerce,
so that American shippers and pro-
ducers may not be dependent upon for
eign flags and the exorbitant rates and
insecure routes Of an unregulated NOR
chan. marine;
Private Capital Hopeless.
Third-The hopelessness Of private
capital coming promptly and vigorously
to the relief Of American foreign trade |;
Fourth-The Government Is tho only
agency of sufficient strength and re-
sources to give the quick assistance that
IL necessary;
Fifth-Delay means not only rejection
Of the full possibilities for expansion OF
trade. but neglect of the greatest COM
mercial opportunity ever offered a ma
ton.
I'm the Light Of world events" the
Secretary said, "the creation Of q mer-
chant marine under the American nag
Is the most vital economic problem fac
ing the American people today. I hope
mend the passage of legislation at the
approaching session. hope that the
shipping bill. altered so as to make 1t
meet all the conditions Of today. will
become law.
Seeks Naval Auxiliaries.
THE fundamentals of the bill should
be retained. but. IN view of the military
lessons drawn from the European war, 1t
should be SO modified as not only to
create an American merchant marine,
but TO provide fleet Of steamers re-
sponsive to the requirements OF naval
auxiliaries In time of war. In speeches
which i expect to make on my present
Trip l will further explain my Views on
The Secretary leaned forward to en-
phasize his earnestness and went on,
with outstretched arm
ODIn-
ion as to the necessity for adequate
naval auxiliaries and for the develop
ment OF our navy homogeneously, SO
that all its parts will be sufficient and
work In thorough reciprocation. The
acute situations that have arisen in
our foreign relations have emphasi sized
more than ever the necessity for an
adequate navy-a navy not lopsided and
unbalanced. but thoroughly developed
and well-balanced in all OF its parts. "
400 Auxiliaries Needed.
The Secretary turned to his desk to
dig up hgures from the Navy Depart
ment showing the navy requires 400
merchant vessels for auxiliaries.
1T Is common knowledge" he con-
tinued. that this tonnage. II, 900
gross tons-can only be supplied in part
from the vessels now under American
registry. Obviously these naval auxil-
iaries. II built by the Government, cam
not be left idle in our harbors. There
are Two paramount reasons why such
vessels. If built. should be operated in
"First-If the real object is to create
an efficient naval reserve, we must
train and educate a sufficient body of
american tn seamen to man these auxil-
iaries In time Of peace and constitute
IN time of war the trained body of val
lant men upon whom the country must
depend for It's protection.
SetPhd-"e must operate these ships
In commerce for the welfare and PROS
peTity OF our country. and while doing
this keep the ships In first-class condi-
tlon. while. at the same time earning
probably-l think. certainly-a surplus"
How could such auxiliaries be oper>
staaC the Secretary was asked.
The bsst and most practical course
would Re to turn them over to a cor
noration ir which the Government is
the chief Or sole stockholder. 10 he
operated hv that corporation under the
general supervision Of a shipping board
because.
1T is essential the Government have
power to establish routes for these
steamship lines. and that these routes
be selected with reference to the great
est development and expansion Of for
etgn commerce and general welfare Of
the country.
The rates must be subject to sov-
ernmental regulation through the ship
ping board. so shippers may be certain
they will get rates enabling them TO
compete successfully with European
rivals In the worlds markets
The service must be regular and re-
liable. and the routes once established,
he maintained for a sufficient time to
develop the business
THE quality of the service, charac-
ter and speed of ships and rates must
be such as to put our people on par
ity at least with the European com
petitors in the worlds markets.
Only First Class Ships.
IN order to establish and maintain
this kind of service large capital will
be required. because 1t may take sew
eral years to develop and build up
trade on paying basis. 1t Ia impera-
tive. moreover. in view of the condi-
tions now existing throughout. the
world. that this shall be done with all
the speed that ample capital and re-
sponsibility alone can provide.
1T Is perfectly clear In my mind
that through no other agency than
the Government can these results be
accomplished.
There is no reason the Government,
In addition to operating ships on GER
tain routes. through corporation,
should not also lease ships to respon-
sible individuals, firms and private
corporations whenever, In the judg-
ment of the shipping board, such
leases will be advantageous to our
commerce"