New-York tribune., 1920-12-15

election Is over it should be easier
to MI the vacancies with strong com
mlssloners, willing to make personal
sacrifices to help in the upbuiIding Of
great American merchant marine
There is very general feeling among
business men In general, as we'll as
those who follow the sea. that Cab
met portfolio should be devoted to
the merchant marine. Here is an IN
dustry representing an initial invest
ment of many millions of dollars and
comprising some 10000 900 tons of
seagoing ships. America has 1889
miles Of seacoast, not including the
Great Lakes shore line of 1886 miles
and her colonial possessions. The
country's main ports number sixty-fve
and that total does not comprise all
that are available for routing ocean
traffic-while the harbors are unequaled
in extent and capacity.
Place in Cabinet Needed
II we are to realize the full pos
slbilities of our foreign trade, as we
nope to, we should fortify it with
merchant marine shat VIII make it in
dependent of the ships of ether nations.
and every proper safeguard and en-
couragement must be given the Ameri-
can ship owner, operator or builder.
All these arguments and others have
been advanced in favor Of the creation
OF Cabinet portfolio to be filled by
Secretary of Marine, one Immediate
advantage of which would be to place
at the call of the government the
services of almost any man who might
be rendered this important post. This
official should also be chairman OF the
Shipping Board, thus in his dual posi-
ton being able both to advise and to
receive advice through direct contact
with the President and his counsellors.
1t Is confidently expected in some quar-
ters, that legislative steps toward the
creation OF Secretaryship of Marine
will be among the early DEVELOPMENTS
OF the Harding administration.
Whether or not the new post is
created it is safe forecast that the
proposal will receive thorough con-
slderation, and, as one of the earnest
advocates of the plan | hope that the
decision will be in the Affirmative The
we'll known disposition Of the Presi-
dont-elect to avail himself Of wise
counsel is looked upon as a most favor
able element in the situation and in
launching the new administration, Ny
Harding viii find marine men, regard
less Of political affiliations, ready to
give him hearty cooperation,
Building for Permanency
The war has left America second
only to England in volume of mer-
chant tonnage, and it has aroused our
great inland population from the
apathy into which it had fallen prior
TO our entry into the war Much Of
the war machine that was built up
at such an enormous cost of labor and
money has had to be scrapped, but our
shlpbuilding activities produced some
thing of lasting worth--a feet that
has splendid potential value for future
peacetime service.
Our merchant marine is not thing
70 be salvaged, but very substantial
asset that requires. il is true, able con-
servatiOn and an opportunity for furth-
er development. but which ii efficient
ly handled will prove the best fruit
of our country. In these circumstances
is it conceivable that the United States
could fail TO claim its place among the
foremost maritime nations of the world
and maintain its merchant marine on 4
secure and prosperous basis?
American business brains applied TO
the probam of the successful operation
Of our feet Will find an answer that
viii mean the permanent establishment
of American shipbuildng and American
ship operating on secure and profit
able bass-for our country, as we'll as
for those whose livelihood depends
upon these twin industries.
This is the third Of 4 series Of arti-
cles on the outlook for the merchant
murine. In to-mo1woro's article, Admiral
William s. Benson, chairman Of the
United States Shipping Bodrd, selll
show holo American business men can
aid in the Development Of the nations
trode feet)
sail Tomorrow