Evening star., 1921-03-02
.LAUDS j. s. PRESS
FOR AIDING MARINE

| FOR AIDING MARINE
Admiral Benson Addresses
| Southern Commercial
Congress.
Efforts Of the American press to
educate the public to the Importance
were lauded by Admiral w. S. Benson,
chairman of the Shipping Board. in
an address before the Southern Com
mercial Congress at the New Willard
Hotel this morning.
Characterizing the part played by
the newspapers as the % ttShIning
development" of the shipbuilding pro-
gram, Admiral Benson said the vast
influence welded by the. press Is now
ton OF economic problems which must
be met in every direction of commercial
activities"
vaiedictory ns Board Member.
His address was<accepted as his
valedictory as head of the Shipping
Board, although he has announced his
intention of staying on the job to
safeguard the boards interests until
his successor shall have been named
by Preside intellect Harding. He re-
viewed the history of the board and
presented practical suggestions for
the development OF the merchant ma
rine, declaring that the country needs
. a"ciean-cut decision relative to trade
opportunities which America may en-
joy as a-result Of our re-created mer-
chant marine"
DR.. L. s. Rowe. director general of
the Pan-American Union, and Mat
thew Hale, president OF the South At
lantic Maritime Corporation, were
other speakers at the morning ses-
sion. TIE former discussed trade op-
portunities with Latin America. He
urged combina ton of American with
native capital in developing the re-
sources Of the countries OF Central
and South America.
Such a combination" he declared
presents advantages not only be-
cause II strengthens international
that it affords a most effective pro-
lection to the investment of foreign
capital"
DR.. Rowe said indications point to
a strengthening of the financial ties
between North, Central and South
America, which will not only be a
source of strength to the countries of
the American continent, but which
ultimately may be the means of saw
ing Europe from dissolution and de-
cay"
Advocates Friendly Rivalry.
Mr.. Hale discussed practical details
involved in the expansion of the mer-
chant marine. There should be de-
Termination Of what trade routes are
desirable. he said, and proper. rela-
tions should be established with the
countries in which we expect to trade
and with our principal competitors.
He advocated a spirit of friendly
rivalry. as opposed to cut-throat COM
petition.
only by frank international dis
cussion, followed by definite interna
tional agreement" he predicted. eau
the danger Of commercial rivalry be
averted.''
sfr. Hale discussed the need Of a
definite constructive foreign trade
policy that will cover every step
from the producer to the consumer"
The new administration. he said.
SAould coordinate the departments of
the government in such. way that
they will be able to work cut con-
structive foreign trade policy with a
vfeaW to the whole problem instead of
working separately on their own par
ticular problems, as at present.
President Preston presided over this
mornings session of the congress.
which was late in converting. the dele
gates having been up until a late
hour last night attending the recep-
|tion and dance which was given at
the New Willard by the Southern So
Iciety Of Washington. The receiving
hA rf
william n. Saunders. president Of the
society; President Thomas p. Preston
of the Southern Commercial Congress
and Mrs. Preston, former President
Duncan u. Fletcher and Mrs.
Fietcher. Director General Clarence
II. Tate of North Carolina Director
". c. Mckinley and Mrs. Mckinley of
West Virginia, Mrs. Clarence c. CAL
houn, president general of the Wom-
Ian's Auxiliary: G. c. Calhoun, former
president of the Southern Society, and
former President Claude y. Bennett
and Mrs. Bennett.
This afternoon the delegates will
attend a memorial service for the
late David Lubin OF California, to
be held in the auditorium of the Ma
tional Museum. Tonight the conven-
tion banquet VIII be held at the
New willard, when Latin American
diplomats will be the guests of
honor
Railroad Competition.
Senator Joseph Z. Ransdell OF
Louisiana and Senator Walter L.
Edge OF New Jersey were the princi
pal speakers at yesterday afternoon S
session Of the convention. The policy
Of the railroads in deliberately keep
ing their rates low at water points
stified water competition, Senator
Ransdell declared.
Until we have a law preventing
the reduction of rail rates for the
sole purpose of meeting boat rates."
no said. there Is little hope of a
rapid return 10 the use of inland
waterways on an extended scale
The Edge act expanding the Ameri-
can banking system to International
proportions was explained by it's au-
thor, Senator Edge. He predicted the
law would be of great advantage to
the south. because IL would aid the
sale OF cotton and other crops
The presiding officer appointed the
following resolutions committee
which is to prepare the pla arform OF
the congress for its activities for the
coming year: Albert +. Tate. North
Carolina, chairman; J. c. MCKINLEY
West Virginia; w. L. Coats, Florida
! b. A. Spivey. South Carolina: J. F..
Walker, Virginia: w. d. Upshaw.
Georgia; John w. Rankin. Missis.
sippi: Rudolph Krause. Louisiana;
William II. Saunders. District Of CO.
tBGmhia, F. A. McRae. Tennessee
ICr3wfoFA Johnson, Alabama, and C.