Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-04-26
SHIPS TO ALLAY
ALL FEARS OF
COMPETITION
Hurley Explains New Mer
chant Marine.
ADEQUATE PLANS
MADE FOR VESSELS
Large Export Trade Means Pr ,sperity
At Home. He Tells Tra3.A
Convention.

Chicago, April 2o.-EdWard n. Hur-
ley chairman of the United States
shipping board in addressing the
sixth national foreign trade conven-
ton tonight, declared that with an
American merchant marine establish
ed, business men of this counrJ had
no reason to fear the competition of
Great Britain or any other country in
extending their export trade. He said
that the government already had
made adequate plans for the neces-
sary ships which were the controll-
ing factor in the development of for
eign trade.
large export trade, he said, meant
prosperity at home. Wise legislation
and close cooperation between the
government and business, he said,
were necessary in the development of
foreign business.
Every market in the world, he de-
clared, was open to fair dealing AM
orleans who were able to reduce their
cost of production. The American
wage scale was right because it rep
resented American efficiency and
skill. Most of the business and eco
nomic problems requiring govern
mental decision should be determined
by supervising body rather than by
law suits and agitation.
Spoke at Banquet.
Mr. Hurley spoke at banquet
given by the convention which was
attended by 1900 representatives of
large business interests.
An American merchant marine is
now an accepted fact" said Mr.. iHur-
ley. Our export trade has grown
enormously but we cannot feel that it
mas yet reached it's full measure The
whole country has been awakened to
the Importance of foreign trade and
the part it plays in American pros
perity.
Ships are the controlling factor in
tne development of foreign trade. Be-
lore the war only 81 per cent of our
Total exports was carried in Ameri-
can bottoms. 1t is our hope, if our
program is completed to have suffi-
Gent ships to move SO per cent of our
total commerce in American bottoms.
we can't build up our foreign trade
IN slipshod manner. We must spe-
ciallze in trying to meet the needs of
different markets and we must pur-
chase raw materials and manufac-
tnfed products from foreign product
as well as to sell to them. We must
Jake some chances in developing trade
routes which are at present unprOfit-
able.
Have No Advantages.
we hear great deal about what
gong to happen to American bust
hess when Great Britain and the 9TH
er nations, supposed to have certain
advantages over us, get into full
SWING. After three months studying
ate situation in Europe l have not
observed any outstanding advantages
when they have over us either from a
PRODUCTION point of view or a labor
point OF view or from the character
vi products manufactured.
~ over in England, you will hear
English critics telling their govern
,nent that Great Britain will never
oe able to compete with us. We need
mo' worry much over flank move
"e ei from our foreign competitors
Every market in the world is
opeh 10 fair dealing Americans who
a ore able to reduce their cost of pro-
uuction. The American wage scale is
..xnt because it represents American
esia.clency and skill. So long as the
y s.aerican workman gives his best ef-
m ,u,ss ne is fully entitled to the high
%ases ne receives. He has the saw
n,s, grace OF this nation. which is com.
.non sense. That undefinable char.
~o.er'stlc, possessed in so large ;
measure by the American working
t ha'' VIII protect this country agains
'ne infection of bolshavism"