The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-23
HILLS WRONG ON U. S.
SHIPS, SAYS REDFIELD.
Secretary Of Commerce Replies
~ Criticism Of Federal Mcr-
chant Marine Plan.
TRADE BY RAILROAD MAN

ST. Louis. Jan. 22.-secretary OF Com
merce Redfleld spoke at the final session
of the Second National Foreign Trade
Convention. which closed here to-day.
He replied to statements made in a paper
by James j. HILL read this morning.
attacking the Government merchant ma
rine plans. lie declared that MIR. Inns
st1 tements were beside the facts. aud
Iidiculed danger of foreign compllca-
tons by the purchase oi ships from
GERMANY
Wedding Ring OF MAILER q Qucreau Of
New York answered Mr.. Rcdheld's speech
by declaring that the Government could
not supply the tonnage. lie adds that
there are no idle ships. Foreign ports
he sld. cannot care for the ships
II am tired of citizens crltcsnE first
and learning the facts later" said Mr.
Redneld In his address. 81 am weary Of
hearing statements Of men who stand high
in the business world on matters which
they evidently are IN Informed
81 am Ecttin. weary OF being told we
are trying to do things We never have
intended doing. what do people mean
when they say there Is danger OF foreign
complications II we buy German ships?
have with me an OFFER TO sell W. twelve
German ships Immediately. I have offers
Of French ships and has anybody raised
the question ~ International complica-
tions II " buy them?
81 gave to a man In Louisville q letter
, from ,he British Ambassador saying that
| there was no objection to purchases Of
foreign ships We have had offers to sell
to the Government French ships avail
able Immediately why have We here in
America 50 much tho habit OF criticising
, first and getting the facts next"
Nj. Hi, who is chairman 81 the board
OF directors of the Great Northern Rail-
way, spoke on Freedom fo" our Foreign
Trade"
"ln No, embcr." said Mr.. Hil. the
. exports from New York were $4,000. 900
more than the year before There was an
! Increase OF about 300 per cent. 10 the
exports Of food products. TIE foreign
demand must increase In direct ratio
with the exhaustion OF supplies ia war
/ ring nations How are these goods
which We desire to sell and others are
anxious TO buy to he carried TO the over
sea markets?
/ such slight relief as was afforded
/ ~ the wise removal of the prohibition
! Of registry for foreign built vessels has
Deen given. II is hardly q drop in the
I bucket Up to the week ended December
I 20. 1914, American registry had been
/ granted to LOS vessels heretofore oper-
ated under foreign control. aggregating
( TO prevent present congestion and holds
out little hope FOR the supply of future
7 needs
MANY I'll ps are idle because of the r.sl,
am the high rates OF Insurance. But
aside from this II Is true that American
cost Of ship construction is from 40 to
I 100 per cent. higher than that abroad
! and, according 10 q reported statement OF
: Capt Robert Dollar. who operates ships
! In both domestic and forei2n trade. {;
! costs about Sl7.236 more a year to oper-
ate a ship OF 1900 tons under the Ameri-
/ can than under the British flag.
The only prac'ical--the Only dcs r
/ able-policy for this country j. the pro-
vision OF suhicicn; American merchant
marine. To buy this By biz subsidies
is "A losing and, In the long run. un.
successful game. We cannot ana We dc
not want TO rely hereafter. as We have
80 long, upon foreign ships 10 carr,
Anne rCan trade and thus control not ouly
it, profits bu. also it, direction and rs
volume. There are but Two resources
one a merchant marine owned and oper
ated by the Government. the other
merchant marine provided by and fol
the people
"a firm declaration FOR q merchan. ma,
rine subject To no other restrictions thar
are imposed by the nations which hav,
done the carry ing trade % the world is
he only demand worthy Of this important
body and OF our country. which stands
once more to-day. a. To It's foreign trade
10, q dividing OF the ways"
The National Foreign Trade Counci
will meet In Washington or New Yurl
within the next thirty days, said Chair,
man James A. Farrell. when the onicia
expressions Of the convention just CLOSED
and the next meeting place will he an
nounced.