The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-06-05
THE FARMERS INTEREST
in MERCHANT MARINE

1t has always been assumed that
opposition to government aid in de-
velopment of an American merchant
marine has come chiefly from the
Middle West. That might well be ex-
pected. Far removed from shipping
ports and only indirectly interested in
ocean transportation, residents of that
section Of the country would not on
hasty consideration fully appreciate
the Importance to them of develop
ment of foreign trade. The wheat or
corn grower on the prairies of the
Mississippi Valley has many import
ant problems of his own that fully
occupy his attention, leaving him
little time or inclination to study the
question Of merchant marine.
As a matter of fact, the producer of
American foodstuffs has no small in
terest in development of export trade,
whatever the nature of the.commodity
shipped. The natural inclination of
the British Empire is to buy her food
stuffs from her own colonies, and if
American buys such articles as cloth
ing and shoes from Great Britain, the
British wage earners who produce
those articles will be fed with grain
and beef grown on farms of Canada or
Australia. On the other hand, if
clothing and shoes worn by Americans
are manufactured in America, the
laborers engaged in production of
those articles will be consumers of
grain and other food produced on the
farms of the United States. More-
over, if in addition to manufacturing
articles for use by our own people we
extend our manufactures to such an
extent that we have a surplus to sell
to other lands, the employees engaged
in manufacture of those articles will
be consumers of foodstuffs produced
on American farms
The illustration here briefly made
might be applied to long list Of COM
moditles which America can supply to
nations in every corner of the globe.
1t follows, therefore, that every
American producer, even though only
indirectly affected, has financial in
terest in development of every line
OF enterprise which promises to en-
large foreign sales and provide en-
ployment for larger number Of resi-
dents of the United States.
A moments thought discloses the
beneficial influence Of an American
merchant marine in development of
new markets. An American merchant
marine would have shipping Offices in
the leading ports Of the world. Off
GERS of American ships would form
acquaintance with business men in
foreign lands Commercial repyesent-
atives would have increased adyan-
tages in offering American goods in
ports with which we have at present
inadequate transportation service.
american producers could shape their
policies with particular view TO |
supplying foreign markets if they |
were assured Of frequent and depcnd-
able transportation service. American
bankers would find il profitable toll
form new business connections or es-
tablish branches in numerous foreign
countries II they saw q prospect Of de-
velopment there Of new American
trade.
1t is manifest, therefore, that every
American who Is favorably affected by
increased production and increased
employment Of American labor has
1irect interest In establishment and
Of a large merchant
marine which will place our CONNER
'ial interests in the hands Of our own
PEOPLE rather than in the hands Of our
commercial rivals. It Is altogether
ikely that merchant marine can. Be-
established without Z subsidy but We
'hould make up our minds that what
.vee means may Be necessary will VI