Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-09-11
HUGHES MAKES
SIX HOUR VISIT
IN R0CKLAND, NE,
Tells Alternative Course for the
President in Averting Railroad
Strike

Rockland. Me-. Sept. 10-Democratic
newspaper hecklers, who have been at
ter Charles E. Hughes since his entry
into Maine with queries as to what he
would have done to stop the railroad
strike, received their answer Saturday
night.
In measured words. ringing with sin
cerity, he told his audience here that
if the executive at Washington had in
sisted on arbitration of the labor trou-
bles. which would also have meant
proper investigation there would have
been no strike.
The American public" he declared,
is not to be terrorized in this way
l do say this, that if the executive had
stood firmly for the principle of arbi-
tration. prompt firm and fair, had he
stood for investigation before action,
and turned the whole weight of public
opinion in favor of those principles,
there would have been no strike
The Hughes tour of Maine ended
shortly after o'clock Saturday night
when the candidate waved a final
adieu to an audience which overlooked
the tracks at the little railroad sta
ton.
Rockland citizens had him as a guest
for close TO six hours and during that
time the city made a gala celebra ton
of his visit. Bands were set playing on
every corner. thousands of persons
n hn
try crowded the streets Torchlight pa
rades and fireworks were added to the
festivities
Day One Long Ovation
To all of the greetings he responded
with the graciousness which has been
the distinguishing characteristic of his
campaign, and Mrs. Hughes, like a good
soldier stood beside him. The Rockland
rally Saturday night was another record
breaking event in the matter of attend
ance and he met the conditions by a
speech which drew applause at almost
every period.
The day was in the nature of a lons
ovation.
In addition to his strike talk he spoke at
IodlH Oh the shipping Dill.
1t has been known that before leaving
Maine he had in mind the making of an
address on this Democratic measure. but
there has been considerable doubt as to
the locality he would pick for its delivery.
II have spoken of the shipbuilding In
dustry.'' he said, 1.-The historic activity Of
this community. We have had a blow
aimed at that industry by the admins
tration. The shipping bill is direct
menace to the shipping interests OF our
country. Nobody should understand that
better than the people Of Maine. 1t would
be to me an incredible thing that in the
light of tariff such as has been adopt
ed. and In the light of the provisions Of
the shipping bill. which has been enacted
under this administration. Maine could
possibly indorse such menaces to Amer
lean prosperity.
Provisions Of Bill
The shipping bill provides that the
government, through it's administra-
tive agency, may build or purchase.
charter or lease, foreign built ships.
1t may dispose by sale or transfer, and
charter or lease foreign built ships.
1t admits foreign built ships to the
privileges of coastwise trade in this
country, where such ships are pur-
chased. acquired or chartered under
the provisions Of the act. AS l say, 1t
is a direct blow at the shipping in
terests Of the United States.
"Of course, as measure to meet a
temporary exigency. it is almost ludi-
crous. 1t could not possibly be defend
ed as a temporary measure to make
provision for an exigency created by
the present condition.
1T is hardly too much to say that
under the act ships could not at this
time be bought or acquired or OBJ
tanned at or near their true value dur
ing the present European war. The
menace is to the future of this indus
try. Men engaged in the industry must
plan with reference to the future.
They cannot wisely devote their fac
ulties to an expansion of business un-
less they know what the future por-
tends. This bill places cloud upon
the shipping industry. Why should
foreign built ships acquire, as pro.
vided In this act, admission to the
privileges Of coastwise trade, revers-