New-York tribune., 1920-12-21

most the last in ocean shipping. This
IS all there is, essentially, to the prob
Iem OF the merchant marine.
ms is the reason why. when the
great war came, no manufacturing
BOARD had to be authorized. no apri-
cultural board - both manufacturing.
and agriculture existed grown strong
ny regular, normal processes in time
or peace Only shipping had to be
cleated-by frantic effort and an ex-
penditure of more than three billions
OF the peoples money--some of it, as
now transpires, was stolen and much
more was wasted in that desperate,
headlong emergency.
Before the war we had not let for
elgners do our manufacturing for us
though there were those, even of our
own household, who would have had US
do SC; we had not let foreigners do
our farming for us; but-mark we'll
the contrast-we had let foreigners do
oar overseas shipping for us~because
IN this one case majority of US had
listened to those who urged that "for-
elgners would do it more cheaply!"
That particular piece of blind folly
seems to have cost the American people
finally the greater part of 5000 900
000-and almost cost the downfall Of
world
That is why, to repeat the sentence
with which this paper opened, at is
fortunate that there will come into
power on March 4 next a national ad-
mlnlstratlon equipped to consider, with
both zeal and understanding. the prob
lem OF the American merchant ma
rlne. 1t is fortunate, because it gives
the great political party. that has pro-
tCptEG oo+,, !
culture with such memorable success
IN our national history chance to
complete the imperative task Of pro-
Iectlng our ocean shipping also.
Congress Looked To for Help
President-elect Harding will have
strong party ma jorties behind him in
both houses when he summons the new
Congress TO meet in Washington. He
VIII be enabled to put through what
ever measures of legislation he and his
lieutoNants may determine TO present
But in view of the staggering facts
OF our way experience, it ought not
% be too much to hope that any we'll
considered measure that may be nee
essary to correct any defects Of the
merchant marine act passed last June
or to make it completely effective
and such q measure will be needed
viii be accepted on broad, non-par-
tisan basis, and win the hearty sup
port of minority as we'll as majority
Senators and Repres
Without any disparagement of the
outgoing Democratic party, relatively
strceSest as it is in the South and
Southwest, it may reasonably be stated
that the incoming Republican party,
with its large membership in and lead
ership from the great maritime and
commercial states, is rather better fur
nished with information and initiative
TO deal with the comprehensive, per-
manent protection Of our ocean ship
ping industry. We may he confident
that if the Shipping Board is con-
tinued it will be a very different board,
containing more men OF expert, practi-
cal attainment, who at first hand know
Ike actual facts Of shipbuilding and
navigation.
Moreover, the country anticipates
that without setting up any unneccs-
sary "Chinese wall" the new Congress
win carefully revise our revenue tariff
laws so that adequate protection will
be assured to any manufacturing or
agricultural interest which under
changed conditions may now be en-
dangcred. But because ocean ship
ping has been long and alone neglect
cd, to the per!l of the natioM--a COM
plete measure Of ship protection should
be given precedence over all else. Pub
lie opinion win certainly be ready
and political conditions ripe, for such
action. as never before in our national
history.
(This is the eighth Of series Of arii-
clos on the outlook Jor the nelc merchant
marine. In to-morrow's article Alernn-
der r. Smith, editor OF the Port Of Neao