The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-12-07


hamper each others commerce our
merchants. 1t seems. arc at their mer
CT to do With as they please We musi
use their ships and use them Us they
determine. wo have NOT ships enough
iot our own. We cannot handle ON
own commerce on the seas. Cur hide
,pendence s. provincial and Is only On
land and within our own borders. We
are not likely to b permitted 10 use
even the ships Of other nations In ~
fyaIry Of their own trade and arc with.
out means 10 extend our comnercs
even where the doprs are wide open
and our goods desired Such situa.
ton Is not 10 De endured. 1t Is OF caps.
tai Importance mot only that tile Init.
ed States should be lis own carrier w
the seas and enjpy tic economic incs
pendence which only an adequsfs
merchant marine would give IL INT
also that the American hemisphere III
laswhole should enjoy a like indsperd.
ienee and self suticiency. II It Il ras
TO be drawn into tie tnngie Of Euys-
pean affairs. Without such independ.
ence tho whole question of our polit-
zeal unity aud self determination u
very seriously clouled and complicated
indeed.
Moreover, we can develop no true o.
effective American policy without ships
OF our own-not ships of war hui
ships OF peace, carrying goods and cat.
rytng much more; creating friendships
and rendering find lspensable services "a
all Interests on This side the watcr.
They must move constantly back ana
forth between tile Americas. They mn
the only shuttles that can weave the
delicate fabric OF sympathy. compre-
hension, confidence and mutual sin-
pendence In which We wish to cloths
our policy Of America for Americans
Tho5task OF building up an adequnk4
merchant marine for America privets
capital must ultimately undertake aao
achieve. as it has undertaken and
achieved every other like task among
us in the past, with admirable eniar-
prise. intelligence aud vigor. and Il
seems to me a manifest dietate OF Wis
dom that We should promptly remove
every legal obstncle that may stand IL
the waylof thissmnch lob desired 10
5vival Of our old Independence aud
should facilitated every possible way
the building. purchase and American
registration of8ships. But capital cam
not accomplish this great task of
sudden. It must embark upon II by
degrees, as the opportunities OF trads
develop. Something must be done Mt
once. done 10 open routes aud develop
opportunities where they are as yet
nndeyeloped done 10 open the arteries
of trale where the currents have not
yet learned 10 run. especially between
the two American continents. wbers
they are. singularly enough. yet to be
created and qniekened. and 1t Is cvf-
dent that only The government can i'm
,dertakc such beginnings and assume
the initial financial risks. When tho
risk has passed and private capital he
gins to find sitssway In sufficient abun-
dance into these new channels the gov.
eminent may Withdraw. But It cam
not omi. to begin. Il should take the
first steps, and shotild take them n
once. Our goodsimnst not LIE piled lnp
at our ports and stored upon side
tracks IN freight cars which arc daily
needed on the roads, must not DO left
without means OF transport to any for
eign quarter. We must not await the
permission OF foreign shipowners and
foreign governments to send them
where We will.
With n view to meeting these presB<
Ing necessities Of our commerce and
availing ourselves at the earliest possi.
bic moment Of tbeIpresent unparallele1
opportunity OF linking the two Ameri'
cas- together In bonds Of mutual inter
est and service. an opportunity which
may never return again if We miss .
now. proposals will be made to thu
present congress for the purchase os
construction fsshH,s to be owned ana
directed BY the government similar 70
those made 20 tine last congress. but
modified inEsome essential particulars,
i recommend these proposals to you.
for your PROMPT acceptance with the
more confidence because every month
that has ELAPSED since the former pro-
posals were made has made the NO
costly forssuch action more and mora
manifestlysimperatire. That need wan
then foreseen. 1t Is now acutely felt
and everywhere realized by those for
whom trade Is waiting but who can
find noiconyeyance for their goods. !
am not so much interested In the par
liculars of the program ms ! am Ia
taking Immediate advantage Of the
great opportunity which awaits US if
wewill but act; On this emergency. In
this matter, as In all others. a spirit Of
common counsel should prevail. and
out Of It should come an early COLT
ton of this pressing problem.
SHOULD AGREE ON POLICY