The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-10-13
NAVAL RESERVE
PLANS GIVEN
Secretary of the Treasury Nc
Adoo Makes the First
Official Announce
D. ment.
4 -
a
T - MERCHANT MARINE
3
Auxiliary Fleet for the Navy and Re-
lief of American Commerce
at Time of Great
Opportunity.
- MERCHANT MARINE

United Press Leased Wire Servicel
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.-The first
official announcement of the admins
tration's merchant marine bill was
made today by Secretary of the
Treasury McAdoo in an exclusive in
terview with the United Press, in
which he detailed the plans for build
ing up naval reserve to be operated
through corporation in which the
government Is the chief sole stock
Lolder. "
The interview was given on the
eve of the secretary's departure for
western trip on which he will speak
in behalf of the measure. He summed
up the five chief factors as follows:
/. Necessity for an auxiliary fleet
for the navy-a measure Of prepared
ness in keeping with the govern
ment's plan Of rehabilitation of the
navy's defenses.
2. The necessity for the immediate
relief Of American commerce so that
American shippers and producers
may not be dependent upon foreign
flags and the exorbitant rates and in
secure routes of an unregulated mer-
chant marine.
3. The hopelessness of private
capital coming promptly and vigor-
ously to the relief of American
foreign trade. 81.
4. The government Is the only
agency of sufficient strength and re-
sources to give the quick assistance
that is necessary.
s. Delay means not only rejection
Of the full possibilities for expansion
of trade. but neglect of the greatest
commercial opportunity ever offered
nation.
'In the light of world events" the
secretary said, the creation of a
merchant marine under the American
flag is the most vital economic prob
lem facing the American people to-
day. .
81 hope and believe the president
will recommend the passage Of legis-
lation at the approaching session.
hope that the shipping bill, altered SO
as to make it meet all the conditions
of today, will become a law. The
fundamentals Of the bill Should be
retained, but in view of the military
lessons drawn from the European
only to create an American merchant
marine, but to provide a fleet of
steamers responsive to the require
ments Of naval auxiliaries in time of
war In speeches which I expect to
make on my present trip, will fur
ther explain my views on these
changes"
The secretary leaned forward to
emphasize his earnestness and went
on with outstretched arm:
There can be no differences of
opinion as to the necessity for ade-
quate naval auxiliaries and for the
development Of our navy homogene-
ously, so that all fits parts would be
sufficient and work In thorough re-
ciprocation. The acute situations that
have arisen in our foreign relations
have emphasized more than ever the
necessity for an adequate navy-a
navy not lop-sided and unbalanced.
but thoroughly developed ano well
balanced in all of its parts
The secretary turned to his desk to
pick up figures from the navy depart.
ment, showing the navy requires 400
merchant vessels for auxiliaries.
''It is common knowledge" he con-
tinued, that this tonnage--l, ,172, 900
gross tons-can only be supplied in
part from the vessels now under
American registry. Obviously, these
naval auxiliaries, if built by the gov
ernment, cannot be left idle in our
harbors. There are two paramount
reasons why such vessels, if built
should be operated in commerce.
First. If the real object is to Gre
ate an efficient naval reserve we must
train and educate sufficient body Of
merican seamen to man these
auxiliaries in time of peace and con-
stitute in time of war the trained
body Of valiant men upon whom the
country must depend for its protec-
ton.
Second. We must operate these
ships in commerce for the welfare
and prosperity of our country and
while doing this keep the ships in
first class condition, while, at the
same time, earning probably think
certainly surplus F,
How could such auxiliaries be op-
erated?" the secretary was asked.
"The best and most practical