East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-12-31
Port Facilities Should BE Ade-
qliate and No Step Avoided
to Reach the Big Goal.

moved. and II there Is anything yet lacking TO
advance this progress. even government owner.
ship. or private ownership aided BY judicious
government. ii must uc ueveioped not FOR the
advantage OF any section or coast but tor tf,e
needs and advantage OF the whole nation.
II am quite aware that these are the most
general statements and that / nave suggested
special plan for bringing about that which
Is SO much to DE desired. Frankly must say
that the questions involved are too much tor
one man and the result desired can only be
accomplished by proper coordination OF those
out Of whose experience may be determined
the best course 70 follow
Il recall at this point the wild statements
made carly IN 1871 10 our promised ship pro-
duetion. No one familiar with our business
was deceived but when the summer OF that
year had passed and numerous yards had been
established aud the great number Of fabricated
ships had been contracted for our hopes were
raised that there would be during this year
l9lA a Production Of ships in our yards con-
sIderably greater than ever before produced in
one year IN any other single nation. We have
not realized these FOND hopes. but 1 ask you
consider what has been done in the country
besides building ships
Think OF the enormous tasks accomplish
in the last twenty -onths. three Of whica
the hardest wIntsr months known L ha
country. ThinF o. -. cantonments anS taFrrs
bui:t for soldtsTA .NBItq,s and aStats,~ LA
TAiAing of ATn.y o. th.ee mil.ioH "..I
the inanufa curing % cis'nss guns. aTt:Ns-J.
munitions ana srrpisy FOR such uy the
y
allies ot a army ~ ~ey miii:0p and a.
cl he itnpediiuents OF var BESIDES. the further
extraordinary work done by the several Old
associations. the I;ed Cross and others. and
with it all the raising OF Fourth Liberty
Loan of six billion dollars in three weeks
following the raising OF nine billions In the
other ioans and every one OF the loans over
subscribed. fLHit-
Think of these accomplishments far greater
than ever before performed by any nation IN
the same period OF time and you will conclude
that building the yards and two and onc-haf
million gross tons of ships In twelve mouths
while all OF the former programme was also
being carried on. is additional accomplish.
ment worthy OF notice and praise.
I'VE must look 10 the future with optimism
In a Washington office hangs placard which
says:-1t Can I BE Donel But Here IL is
We must neither think nor say IL can't be done
mo citizens OF this great land more
terested in producing a merchant marine than
yourselves. We naturally belong to the coasts
and the great iakes. We must be optimistic
that we may exert own great ability TO its
inland citizens lest they forget the lesson OF
how much they needed ships in the yearn 1914
and 1915. We must be Americans ald thlnk In
American terma.
''ParaphTaslng a quotation used at our han
quet year ago. l repeat, We have performed
gigantic tasks more rapidly in all the circum-
stances than could any nation Ia the world.
train officers and sailors and we shall estab-
lish and keep forever q merchant marine on
the seas OF the world. for the sea was In our
fathers blood. the ocean Is our birthright'
This also gigantic task We shall perform"
Note.-The word tons Ia this address means
registered gross tons. lightweight ton u
Approximately ene and ens-hals sross tenss