The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-09-28
HARDING PROMISES |
 NEW SHIP POLICY
AssaiIs Administration for "UnpreparedneSs for Peace"
 In Policy Toward Shipping
By Associated Press

Baltimore, September 27.-A merchant marine policy insuring accessibility to all the markets of the world, linked with a protective tariff ssytem to foster produce tion at home, were promised by Senator Harding tonight in speech at the Bal timore armory.
 The republican nominee promised the merchant marine bill enacted at the last session of Congress and assailed the democratc administration for "unpre- paredness for peace in it's policy toward American shipping and other factors of financial and industrial mobilization. Senator Harding also replied to charges that the republican platform and policies are reactionary, declaring it was true that his party wanted to react" from an era of executive usurping and to re-establish constitutional government under "forward-ooking, progressive" policies. The nominee arrived in Baltimore late today and was cheered by thousands as he rode through the business section 10 his hotel
 In his speech tonight the nominee sounded a warning against flood of imports from debtor countrles," which, he said, might undermine American pro- duction by stimulating a competition America could not meet without tariff protection.
 BETTER TO LOSE ALL
 Tt is of the gravest national concern" he continued, that this changed inter- national position shall not work to the injury of our industrial and agricultural life. We are not prepared to wipe from our books Europe's debt to us, but 1t would be incomparably better for our credits to remain uncollected and our badness to be waived than for the ques- tion to take the form of an undermin- ing flood of imports that would crIpte American industry, degrade American labor, weaken our whole 'econoni1 fabric.
 From such an invasion we have a right to be saved. Our new merchant marine will do much to avoid it. Sup plemented now, and whenever occasion requires, by a cautious revision of our tariff, the new shipping development will become a potent element in American economic growth. It would be an intol- erable thing if we stood by and beheld our enterprise impaired and our labor injured. If it be placed in charge in No vember, the republican party soiemnly engages that this shall not come to pass"
 EVERYTHING DRIFTING
 Democratic negligence of domestic problems, the senator asserted. had left industry commerce, labor and finance to struggle and drift and find its way out of war conditions as best it could. He referred to the republican proposal made in the Senate in September, 1918, to create q joint congressional commis- sion on reconstruction, and continued;
 "Encountering favorable reception in Congress from members of both parties, the proposal met prompt quietus in the Presidents blunt disfayor oi any form of congressional advice or suggestion as to after-war policies. The result was that the signing of the armistice ush- cred in veritable condition of save who can in our economic life"
 Proper free handed measures. said the senator. have facilitated the return of service men to their places ina the nations productive machine; relieved the menace of the housing shortage; eased the process of returning from price control to stable, free markets, and established sounder principles of postwar financing.
 Tracing the development of Amer ican shipping and naval power, Senator Harding declared that the nation had sacrificed it's opportunity on the com mercial seas earlier in it's history and had neglected it's navy until that great dreamer, Grover Cleveland, gave us an awakening in his reverence for the Monroe doctrine which d present-day democrat does not understand"
 THE TIME IS NOW
 The day and hour have arrived" he said flor operation and maintenance of a great American merchant marine. We have the initial legislation and need now effective administration backed by American determination to hold our rightful place as maritime nation. The merchant marine act of 1920. prepared under republican leadership and passed by a republican Congress can be fairly described as one of the most important in our generation. It stands forth as a great constructive achievement. Over sea transportation in American bot toms is 4the root and essence of Amer ican commercial expansion.
 Charges that the republican platform is reactionary, Senator Harding said. proceeded from that reckiessness which Is the excuse for loose thinking
 Tt is true that in political affairs" he continued. Eve would react from an era of executive usurpation to the or derly form of constitutional govern ment; that In industrial relations we would react from an internationalist obsession to intimate concern in our domestic problems ana our home tasks;