The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-09-01
JONES PLAN THE BEST

a Representative in Congress recently made
a speech in the House dealing with the Mer-
chant Marine. and advocating subsidy system
to aid our marine in competition with Great
Britain, and expressing vigorous opposition"
to the discriminatory SYSTEM the one adyo-
( Gated by Senator Jones, Chairman OF the COM
mittee on Commerce. "The arguments against
the adoption of discriminating duties at this
time are based in the first instance upon the
desirabiIity of friendly relations with all COM
mereial nations" says he. Again, it is fact
that discrimination on our part would newt
ably lead to similar retaliatory measures by
the countries with which we trade. 1t should
be borne in mind that our exports are far great
er than our imports hin bulk and in value,
and thus return to methods of discrimination
by all nations would be far more injurious to
us than to others"
The speaker adverted to the fact that under
the original act levying tariff, July A, 1889, a
discount of 10 per cent was allowed to ships Of
the United States on all duties imposed by the
Fact, and that the later act of August 10, 1870
levied an additional duty of 10 per cent on all
goods imported in ships or vessels not of the
United States "Ths general policy" he adj
mits, "was maintained contemporaneously with
growth in our merchant marine until 1915" but
beginning with the treaty of London with
Great Britain in 1915 there was a gradual
change in policy in case equal access was given
to our ships in the ports of other nations and
equal privileges as regards tariff Discriminate
ing duties were gradually removed" He sug-
gested the earliest possible transfer of Govern
ment-owned ships to private operation, con-
tracts similar to those authorized by the Act
of March 3, 1891, for regulating mail and pass
enger lines, and as to cargo ships, he appeared
&to be stumped. Yet they are the ships with
whose profitable operation this nation is chief
ly concerned.
These views respecting the merchant marine
betray the same nsehsate fear of retaliation
that is being voiced by number of gentlemen
with regard to the protective tariff. The Unit
ed States can never adopt any stalwart policy
if such feeling is permitted to prevail We
have the MANUFACTURES and the raw materials
which are sorely needed by other countries
Their necessity will be their monitor in retalia-
tory methods, and after all it is England alone
whom we must reckon.
The subsidy plan is wholly impracticable at
this time For every dollar we devote to that
practice, England will pass out two, if neces-
sary, to outplay us, and with the British Board
possessed of plenary power, while our Congress
is subjected to popular will not yet unanim-
ousy supporting an American marine, it is
plain such method would fail u.s. In fact the
speaker admitted that even now Great Britain
is spending many times as much as we are" by
way of subsidies.
The Jones discriminatory plan now appears
to be the best method available. 1t was tried
in the early days and it brought results When
we relinquished it in 1915, Great Britain
promptly double-crossed us in her colonial mar
kets. The Jones plan will require not dollar
of appropriation; the subsidy plan would re-
quire millions The Jones plan is analogous to
the protective tariff; the subsidy plan is analog-
Gus to paying bounty to our farmers and man
ufacturers to produce goods. The Jones plan
should be stitched into the pending tariff bill
DOWN WITH HIS SHIP