Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-26
Judge Gary Asserts 1t Is "High
Time" for People to Pro-
tect Country's Interests.
SPEAKS BEFORE IRON
AND STEEL INSTITUTE
Dwells on Tremendous Export Bust
ness and Declares I'VE Would
Fight if Necessary"

the United States is rapidly becoming inc
leader among the nations Of the world ana
that it is high time for every one 10 un-
derstand that large majority OF the peo-
pie of the United States will insist upon
the utilization of every facility to protect
and to honorably further the interests OF
their own country" Judge Ebert H. Gary
spoke here today at the annual meeting
of the American Iron and Steel Institute
on what he considered ''momentous ques-
tons
There are now confronting the people
of this country" he said. certain mo mo
liberty and happiness. They are under
discussion by the most talented writers
and speakers and they are In the thoughts
and mouths of the multitudes. 1t is likely
opportunity will be given to the voters to
give expression to their views in the near
future relating to some of these questions
The large majority have friendly feel
ing toward business success. large or
small. so long as it is decently and fairly
conducted
I'VE believe thoroughly in the regula-
ton and restraint of business in such
way as to prevent harm and injury 10
the public interest. but we do not agree
to destroy the agencies which may be
and generally are utilized for the promo
ton of good.
THE government and the business men
should work in harmony with reference
to these matters.
Exports Are Increasing.
'our export business is large and in
creasing. The total exports for March of
this year were s411,476.63s in value. an
increase of $114,s64,7 1856 over March, 1915.
The total for the nine months ending
March 81 was s2,997, 172,472, an increase
of 81. 066, 094 500 over the total for the
same period of the preceding year.
The markets of the world are multi
plying in number and increasing in i'm
portance. We are hoping for open
ports in every country. We have not
heretofore had our proportionate share
tied amount of our export business in
the past is found in the lack of ships
owned, controlled and operated by
Americans. We have been more or less
ers having the ownership or control of
ships and who are interested directly or
Indirectly in business competing with
us.
When the present wars are ended
these conditions will be even worse
than they have ever been before, unless
there are adopted laws or amendments
that will place our merchant marine
practically on an equality with that of
other nations.
For Peace, But Would Fight.
I'VE are in favor of peace for our
nation; not at any price. but we would.
if necessary, pay literally for it. We
would fight any other nation. but only
defensively. However. we do not wish
for war, and We believe it is not neces-
sary to engage in it with any Euro
pean nation or nations.
so anxious are our people to avoid
trouble and to maintain peace foot
ing they are willing, temporarily, and
until the minds of hot heads have had
time to become cool and collected, to
many acts seemingly unfriendly, and even
to sneers and insults, before they will
assume an offensive attitude and run
the risk of precipitating a war unneces-
sarily. This Is strong statement, but
ii represents the real attitude of
large majority of our people.
They sincerely believe we shall get
through and come out of the apparent
clouds of gloom that at times have been
very black and threatening, without
war and with the respect and confidence
of all the European nations. We de-
sire to have our administration at
Washington maintain a strictly neu-
trail attitude concerning the belligerent
nations. When the war is overland
may a merciful Providence speed the
day-we wish to be on terms of init
mate and cordial relations with them
all.
'If the United States Is to assume
and maintain the important position
among the nations that has been thrust
upon her she must be possessed of the
same elements of power and strength
that others have. She must be pre-
pared to protect her commerce on the
seas She must be ready to support
other nations in the insistence that the
ports of all foreign friendly nations
shall remain free and open to all. And,
even more important to consider. we
would be able to exert a powerful in
f1uence in aiding and even compelling
international peace
In closing. Judge Gary said: