Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-13
ne Iuture Oh Uur InerCnant rteI

he 4 HtHTS On our MCTCHuHL LtCL
Notwithstanding ,no .emaINaUie acdFlI' 40
American shipOuiluing, the number OF vessels now
being constructed acquired for our foreign
trade appears altogether inadequate to serve and
safeguard our interests in the commercial struggle
which is certain to follow the war. Mr.. Charles M
schwab recently said that the Bethlehem Steel
Corporation, OF which he is chairman, is completing
every ten thousand-ton merchant SNIP
fully equipped besides smaller craft and war yes
sells. This record, multiplied by that OF our other
shipbuders all OF whom are taxed to the limit Oh
energy and resources, is truly 'remarkaOle
But it should be noted, Mir. Schwab points out
that more than half the ships building in the United
States To-Day for foreign owners. That is TACT
TO take the wind of our proud enthusiasm
At the beginning of the European war more
man ninety per of our exports was carried I'D
foreign bottoms. Since American mer-
chant marine has increased by something less than
a million gross tons, partly through the construc-
ton of ships but chiefly through the transfer OF
ships from foreign to American registry. vi the
tonnage built during that period for American use
a large portion is intended for the Grea1 Lakes ana
for coastwse commerce, that for the maintenance
and development of our foreign trade-the great
arena of the years ahead-we are not very much
better off than at the outbreak of the war. Ger
many according to trustworthy reports from that
vessels during the last two years. despite the tre-
mendous war strain her industries. England
undoubtedly has outbuilt us. Japan has BEEN and
still is building with wonderful vgor and efficiency
Thus the United States faces the prospect OF enter
ing the maritime struggle which is certain to follow
the war; with third-rate-or as some observers
fear-a fourth-rate merchant marine.
This is a matter of material concern to every
section and every industry in the United states
the interior as well the coast the farmer and
small merchant as well the manufacturer ana
large exporter-because our future prosperity de-
ponds to a great extent upon the strength and the
expansion of our foreign trade. AS our population
increases and our manufactures grow in number
and productveness we shall have more and more
pressing need of profitable outlets for our products
Our export business is incomparably greater now
than ever before in American history; and the
country as a whole enjoys uneXampled prosperity.
The high prices the South receives for its cotton are
due largely to the foreign demand for cotton and
cotton goods and so with hundreds of other COM
modities and industries.
There is no hope, however, of the United States
advancing or holding it's in the markets of the
world if it depends, heretofore, on its compet-
tors for the ships in which to carry its goods 1t
must have an adequate merchant marine of its own,
if il is to stand chance in the most stressful and
far-fung trade contest the world has witness
ed The fact shipbuilding has reached such great
proportions and such efficiency in this country is
heartening for it shows that resources and en-
ergies in that field of enterprise are being organ
lied for great results 1t is painfully evident, how
ever that not enough ships are being built for our
own foreign trade All that the Government can do
rghtfully to encourage and aid private enterprise in
this matter ought to be DONE But il private enter
prise proves unequal to the task the Government
we'll may go further than it has gone in the estab-
lishment of the Shipping Board and ship-purchase
fund: the Government we'll may undertake the con-
struction ownership and operation of an American
merchant marine.