The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-09-28

sentlsl materials and food-stuRs,
contracted for or In the hands OF
the government at the signing OF
the armistice, would not have been
alternately impounded and releas-
ed, after a long delay, without
method or plan, and in ways that
served neither the interest OF the
producer nor the need Of the con-
wiser and sonder Practices.
ost 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, the fever of business infia-
ton, from the accumulation Of
burdensome floating debt, from
the retention Of crudely-devised,
inefflciently administered war
taxes, and from the present ne
cessity OF credit restrictions and
business inconvenience.
None of this is the wisdom OF
hindsight. In each particular
the list might be made very much
longer-we have suffered, over and
above the costs and burdens OF
great world CONFUSION, unneces-
sary penalties because Of the I'M
willingness of the administration
to concern itself with the vital do
nestle problems which reason and
experience taught US must lay
ahead.
Were our resources less boun-
teous, our energies less resilient,
our faith less strong, there would
be heavy toll still to be paid for
this neglect. AS 1t is, we shall
take our losses bravely, but grim
ly-with a resolute determination
that a new order must be ushered
in; that without neglecting our
part in the worlds progress, our
concern shall hereafter be Amer
lea First" This Is said in no
selfish, provincial spirit, in no
thought of aloofness, but in the
firm intent that only by making
this land Of ours great and its peo-
pie prosperous shall we render the
largest service to civilization and
to humanity.
Generously Endowed.
Baltimore and Maryland will
play their part in this increase and
betterment. Nature has endowed
you generously, and you will not
waste your heritage. Your manu-
facturers, your trade, your finance
are firmly established, and there
is certain to be growth and expan-
sion. SO long as our national policy
Is one to send America forward.
venture to say that 1t is in
commerce that your greater oppor
tunity les. Your strategically-
favorable location, your water
front and water ways, your fine
commercial traditions-place you
in position here to render import
ant service to your country and to
acquire signal advantage for your
selves, and to add to American
eminence.
No nation in all time ever came
into great influence In the world
excepting as 1t grew to eminence in
the commerce between peoples.
The fascinating story Of world CIV
ilizauon is marked in every chap
ter by the lamp of maritime devel-
opment.
There was a time when we out
sailed the world. l delight in the
romance OF the clippers" Of three
quarters of a century ago, when
American sailors were as daring
and triumphant in peace as John
Paul Jones was in war.
A Distinction Lost
But We did not cling to our
American distinction. We did not
follow our invention Of the steam
ship with a continued development
and maintenance OF steamship
lines. We( ceased to be carriers
Of our own trade, and we encour-
aged our rivals by our own neglect.
We neglected our navy until that
great Democrat, Grover Cleveland,
gave us an awakening in his rever-
ence for the Monroe doctrine,
which a present day Democrat does
not understand. l have a strong
conviction that II our country had
been as strong with its merchant
marine as 1t was powerful in naval
defense, our voice in behalf Of
peace would have been more quick
ly needed.
The war gave US the great awak-
enIng. America means to take her
place as a sea carrier, not for our
selves alone, but to serve the
world. We have the ships; We
have the seamen; we have the car
goes; we mean to unfurl "Old
Glory" on the peaceful paths Of the
seas.
The day and the hour have ar
rived for operation and the main
tenance Of a gerat American mer-
chant marine. We have the initial
legislation, and need now only ef
fectlve administration, backed by
American determination, to hold
our rightful place as a maritime
nation.
Important Piece Of Legislation.
The merchant marine act of
1920, prepared under Republican
leadership and passed by a Repub-
lican congress, can be fairly de-
scribed as one of the most import
ant laws enacted in our generation.
Like every pioneer undertaking, it
has defects and shortcomings
which time will disclose and ex-
perIence enable US to repair. But
as a legislative project, conceived
in the broadcast spirit Of national
up-buildIng, 1t stands forth as a
great constructive achievement.
The purpose of the measure Is,