Williston graphic., 1919-02-06
MERCHANT MARINE ON THE
REACH

BEACH
Generally the country has taken
it for granted that after the war we
were going to have a great merch-
ant marine and seize q big share of
Didn't we build miles of slips over
the world carrying trade.
night?
Sure we did.
And isn't the government through
with them now?
Well, then?
Unfortunately it is hardly as SIM
pie as all that.
One of the officials of. the federal
shipping board frankly stated to a
group Of shipping men that in the
dire need of ships the government
had many built that would not at all
do for commercial routes in compe-
tition with European lines.
The fact that the government has
few bidders for it's ships at the prices
asked, and no bidders for leases on
these ships under federal terms,
might indicate that there was a fly
or two in the merchant marinte oint-
sment.
Indeed, it now appears that more
of these new ships will be tied up
they are being tied up on two coasts
about as rapidly as completed-than
will sail the wide seas.
It is admitted that some of the
types of ships built during the war
stress were the only types that could
be turned out speedily; and also that
they will never be Of consequence in
commercial work.
Also the cost of this hurried con-
struction was so exhorbitant in many
cases that the boats, even if adapt
ed for the work, would never return
interest on the investment, and their
operation would probably be too
costly to allow them to compete with
vessels built for commercial work..
Our merchant marine will not
smoothly swim forth and master the
seven seas by 3 p. m. next Friday.
X X x X
FEAR HAS ITS USES
"This sinful old world would be a
great place to live if we all loved
each other and nobody was afraid Of
any body else," remarked the theo-
retical person.
"Unhuh, maybe" said Justice Hank
Brown, who is not much on philos-
ophy but sure is great hog raiser.
"Yes, sir, I consider it the curse Of
the world that men bring fear into
it. The man who causes any living
thing to fear him has much to an
swer for" The philosopher was real
ly going strong.
"Well, I dunno" said the squire.
Sometimes fear is handy thing to
have around the place.
II injected a little righteous re-
spect, foundationed on hickory
club, into my end of the community
today.
Eyes, sir, most surely did. Had
a brisk young he pig that has been
getting fresher and fresher for three
months.
He has been roofing up gates, and
breaking through fences and gener-
ally living without fear.
II have been treating him with
consideration, and herding him back
into his pen, and mailing on boards
quite regularly until today, when l
started to drive him he charged on
me, and chased me to the top Of the
manure pile.
His young soul had never had a
bit of fear to soil it, but figured
that so long as it was my farm, and
was there first, and hoped to be
there for some time to come, that
maybe we would have to reason
things out bit.
$50 l hunted up a heavy wagon
spoke, and I approached that boar.
and when he charged next time
hammered him behind the ear, and
before he got up lanmed him
again, and when he arose he picked
up his legs and went for his pen
squealing fear all over the town
snip"
"Of course mad animal must be
controlled, but I was thinking of men
when spoke" said the philosopher.
"Well, I reckon mad Eo!sheviki
needs club about as much as a mad
roar," concluded the squire, and there
was no further argument.
Bismarck, N. D., Jan. %, 1919.
Editor Williston Graphic,
Williston, N. Oak.
Dear Editor:
! am enclosing news item that
will be of interest to the voters Of
your community and wish you would
publish same and oblige.
Very sincerely,
Mortin Mortenson.
Sen. 41St. District