The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-09-24
BRIDGE Of SHIPS"
A PEACE HERITAGE
Democratic Program for
Merchant Marine in Seven
Years Has Restored
Flag to the Seas
is SECOND IN POWER
STUPENDOUS W0T.sL JF SHIPPING
BOARD HELPED SAVE THE
WORLD AND GAVE AM
ERICAN SHIPPING
REBIRTH
is SECOND IN POWER

View York City, Sept-The Bridge
of Ships" across the Atlantic, so ard
emily urged on America for the win
ming Of the war, endures today when
the war is ended. More than that
the great structure reared by me au-
ministration daily in being butteressed
as the maritime programme set down
during the war approaches the time of
full fruition.
The United States now is the second
maritime power in the world, after 80
years during which American Ship
building languished. until in 1912 the
stars and Stripes had practically dis
~ncared from the seas and the Am
rcan shipbuilding industry had be-
come a lost art.
Tho inspiring story Of the renas-
ocnce of American shipping by which
within seven years the blighting ef-
feet of the neglect and apathy of half
century was overcome and the Am
cr'can flag once again became IA
miliar emblem in the ports of the
world and on every ocean lane Is told
in the Democratic Campaign Text
hook, which has just been Issued from
the national headquarters, Grand Gen.
trail Palace, New York City.
The shipbuilding industry of. the
United States today ranks second in
the world and the story Of how this
was brought about forms chapter
IN American history that must ever
: give Americans a thrill of pride. The
Democratic platform has pledged the
marty and its nominee, James M. Cox
to the continued growth Of the mer'
chant marine.
Restoration Of Merchant Marine
The restoration Of the merchant ma
rine was one Of the first objects tc
which the Democrats gave their seri
Gus attention on their return to power
in 1913.
The first attempt to pass the meas
ure creating the shipping board was
made by congress in 1915, but it me-
death by filibuster at the hands Of th'
Republican minority in the senate. \
year later. however. the Democratic
majority in congress succeeded IL
passing the bill in the face of united
Republican opposition. The purpos'
Of the measure was to release ouI
overseas commerce from foreign domi
nation and to give the nations farm
ers and manufacturers the benefit o
reasonable rates.
Immediate steps were taken by th
shipping board TO remedy the situa
tion.
Millions Of Tonnage Added
Under these broad powers the Emer
gency Fleet Corporation requisitione'
S73 steamers, constructed or in cours
Of construction In American yards, o
9,79l 900 gross tons; took over and re
paired 50 German steamers of 5S3,43
gross tons, which hsd steamed int
American ports at the beginning o
the war: took charge Of 81 Dutcl
vessels OF 354,419 gross tons, whicl
had been Communicated; and contract
cd for 3,164 new vessels OF l7.515,4s
gross tons.
To accomplish its mammoth tas
the board through the corporation
provided for the building of fou
large shipyards FOR the construction
OF fabricated steel ships and fiv
yards for the building OF concret
ships. In addition to ,hs It was nee
cssary to provide housing facilities 70
workmen employed Mt the yards. {
provide for their welfare, to establis
schools for the training Of men 70
the task of building ships and also t
man the ships, as they left the ways
All Of this was accomplished.
From the time OF its organlzauo
In January. 1917, to June 10, 1921
the shipping board constructed an
delivered 2.04s vessels of n total dead
weight tonnage OF 1l,44l,55S.
The end OF the war neccssltatcd
curtailment OF the vast programm
OF shipbuilding. and contracts for
total OF 952 ships OF 4,7i1 .465 deaC
weight tonnage were cancelled. repro
senting a final saving to the cour
try OF more than 5000, 900 900. No
withstanding the changed condition
brought about by the end Of the wa
tho output OF ships during 1919 was I
$50 vessels Of 6.379,s23 deadweigl
atoms. exceeding the annual produ'
ton Of any one country In the world
history. During the second quart,
az that year steel ships under col
str-iction In this country represente
aan per cent of the total steel toi
0aro building IN the world.
The entire programme, now nearin
completion. will give the Uniu