New-York tribune., 1920-09-28

the return Of the four million men
gathered in the nations defense to
their accustomed places in farms and
factories.
"The acute distress of housing short
age, consequent upon the greatly him
dered building operations for four
years, might have been measurably re-
able the information on the subject of
housing construction collected during
the war, and this without departing
from established principles of Federal
action.
1.-THE transition from widespread
price control to free markets--a tran
sition calling for all the skillful treat
ment which any notable interference
with free contract entails-need not
have been left to take care of itself
by virtual policy of scuttle, or to
"The huge unused stocks of essen
tial materials and foodstuffs, con-
tracted for or in the hands Of the gov
ernment at the signing of the armis-
tice, would not have been alternately
impounded and released, after a long
delay, without method or plan, and in
ways that served neither the interest,"
of the producer nor the need of the
consumer.
Sound Financing Brings Lower Costs
Most Of all. wiser and sounder
practices Of postwar financing might
have been initiated that would have
saved US from the pressure of ever
higher living costs, from the fever OF
business imitation, from the accumula-
tion Of q burdensome floating debt,
from the retention Of crudely devised,
inefticiently administered war taxes.
ND from fko NncpSCitU nf
credit restriction and business incon-
venience.
"None Of this is the wisdom of hind
sight. In each particular--and the
list might be made very much longer
we have suffered, over and above the
costs and burdens of a great world
convulsion. unnecessary penalties be-
cause Of the unwillngness Of the Ad-
ministration to concern itself with the
vital domestic problems which reason
and experience taught US must lie
ahead
"Were our resources less bounteous
our energies less resilient, our faith
less strong, there would be heavy
toll still to be paid for this neglect
As it is, we shall take our losses
bravely. but grimly-with a resolute
determination that a new order must
be ushered in; that without neglectine
our part in the worlds progress, oul
concern shall hereafter be America
! first This is said in no selfish
provincial spirit, in no thought OF
only by making this land of ours great
and its people prosperous shall we
render the largest service to civiliza
tion and to humanity.
"No nation in all times ever came
into greater influence in the world ex
cepting as 1t grew to eminence in the
commerce between peoples. The fasci
mating story Of world civilization i:
marked in every chapter by the STAMP
Of maritime development.
THE war gave us the great awaken
| ing. America means to take her place
as a sea carrier, not for ourselves alone
ships, we have the seamen, we have the
cargoes, we mean to unfurl Old Glory
on the peaceful paths of the seas.
"The day and the hour have arrived
for operation and the maintenance OF
q great American merchant marine
We have the initial legislation, ant
need now only effective administration
backed by American determination. t
hold our rightful place as a maritime
nation.
Marine Act an Achievement
"The merchant marine act Of 1920
prepared under Republican Leadership
and passed by Republican Congress
can be fairly described as one of tn
most important laws enacted in ou
generation. Like every pioneer under
taking. 1t has defects and shortcoming
which time will disclose and experience
enable US to repair. But as a legis
latiwe project, conceived in the broade s
spirit Of national upbuilding, it stand
forth as q great constructive achieve
ment.
"The purpose Of the measure is. il
a sentence, the promotion and main
tenance Of merchant marine of tn
best type Of modern ships, flying tn
American flag. manned by American
seamen, owned by private capital an
operated by private energy. fulfilling
@ national inspiraton'
"The phenomenal emergencc Of
great Anne rican merchant marine |
A story Of love and lovers--tiriffith