New-York tribune., 1921-04-08
to Ask
400 Millions
For i. s. Fleet
Strong Plea to Maintain
Merchant Marine Will Re
Made to Congress in
Message Next Tuesday
Economy Wave Is Feared
Net Loss Now Is ST., 100000
a Day; Money Needed to
Tide Over Dull Times
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON. April 7.-President
Harding will make forceful plea for
the American merchant marine in his
message to Congress next Tuesday
The President realizes that the net loss
on' operation Of the Shipping Board at
present is more than million dollars
day, his advisers declare, but he be-
lleves the expenditure to be well worth
while providing, that permanent
American merchant marine can be
built up.
What is disturbing the President.
it is said, is the fear that CONGRESS-
committed to policy of rigid economy
and anxious above everything else 10
reduce taxes, on the theory that to
fail to do this would spell disaster in
the Congressional elections next vear.
will not be willing to make the neces-
sary appropriations.
1t is estimated by some of the Presi-
dents advisers that the appropriation
which must be asked of Congress will
not be far short of 100000, 900, and it
may easily reach half a billion dollars
Mr.. Harding firnly believes, it is
learned. that if an American merchant
marine can be built up it will be well
worth TINS appropriation, and some
very large additional ones for the next
few years until the American fac is
firmly established on the seas.
Foreigners and Low Rates
The President has been convinced by
! some or his advisers, it is learned,
that several foreign nations are will
ing 20 40 almost anything in the way Of
establishing low freight rates now in
order to kill off American competition
on the seas. During the present period
Of world wide falling off in interna-
tlonai shipments, as we'll as domestic
shipments, there are temporarily more
ships than are needed, which means
that the foreign ship owners can XIII
two birds with one stone by fixing low
rates. One of the birds" is to keen
their ships moving and in condition.
! even II they are not earning anything.
The other is to discourage the Ameri-
| can public from paying high bills in
taxation to maintain q merchant ma
rlne which continues to lose money in
large amounts
Mr.. Harding also has been convinced
that II this government is willing to
weather the present storm--if it j,
willing to spend the money necessary
TO keep the ships on the high seas dur
ing this frantic drive by foreign ship
ping interests to kill off this new COM
petltlon--that in the long run the
merchant marine will pay its own wav
and be tremendous source of STRENGTH
TO America. He believes that only bv
having an adequate American merchant
marine can the industries and com
mcrce of this country be expanded s.
they should be. In short, he believes
that the present losses will be repaid
over and over again in one way and
another if patience is only exercised
at this time.
But the President is genuinely per-
turbed over the problem of inducing
Congress to exercise this patience.
His own experience in the Senate
showed him the opposition to anything
to which the words "ship subsidy" can
be attached. AS q newcomer in the
Senate, five or six years ago, he heard
old Senators, as, for instance, Jacob Fl.
Gallinger, of New Hampshire, tell of
their battles stretching back for dec
| AIDES to obtain popular support for an
American merchant marine and the
constant failure which had attended
them.
Favors Delivering Speech in Person
So while the President is determined.
he realizes he has hard fight before
him and he is most anxious to gain
popular support for the appropriations
which will be necessary for the Ship
ping Board unless the whole protest
is TO be ended. This is said to be one
of the potent reasons why the Presi-
dent wishes to deliver his message to
L.
some legislative clerk read it in
singsong voice, while Senators and
members gather in groups and talk
over their local patronage questions.
In this connection there is much in
terest in q eahet circulated here
by President Philip de Rondc, OF the
(Contlnued on PAGE ssves,