New-York tribune., 1921-03-07
Retain 1920
Marine Act.
Benson Urges
lcennnusd frsm pss. sn.)

are playing the game for the FOREIGN
steamrhip interests they represent.
want to be put on record az hearth
~ In favor Of the marine act Of 1900
IN its present shape until it has had n
Ia anlr chance to show what IL car a.
Inc enforcement Of all it's sect;or.
must be the acid test. I am unaltar.
ABLY opposed to any movement which
purposes taking the teeth out Of tb;s
raw. The enforcement Of Section %
section "a and several other sections
aii having in mind the upbuildine Of
our marine, must be given fair and
sqoare 'est before any ono be allowed
~. w. smoke screen the issue by way of
an investigation long drawn out and
given to tho hearing of testimonv of
some who have Interior motives wbsn
1,ney appear upon the witness stand
mat IL strong statement. But il is
,rue. 1t Is also true that If the public
hsd neen allowed to see some of those
who stood In the background cod
deal Of the Shiny trail of slander would
be explained to-day.
'. Inc country faces trying period
it is one in which many men will he
tried: But when the aim is straight
and the country is bent upon accom-
pAshtng a result. that aim counts
every time in America. Our aim to
"ase merchant marine is straight
and sure; it is almost realization.
But there are many problems which
must be considered
believe that the lifting of tho
Panama Canal tolls in favor of our
ships engaged in coastwise trade is
a mighty good thing and will accom-
pilsh much. | believe that when our
foreign friends engaged in compet;-
tlon learn that we mean to do awav
with unjust Determinations against
our merchant marine they will help
accomplish that result. A good rea
son for the enforcement of Section %
and Section "a will be found if tbev
do not see the handwriting on the wail
and act accordingly. I believe above
az that when our American friends
OF foreign bottoms learn that We mean
business and that the Merchant Marine
act Of 1920 will have fair trial hs-
tore any attempt is made to change If
they will change the tune Of fheir
song. ''eti
Real Naval Auxiliary
Let's not confuse the issue. 1t is
plain one. We have the ships; we
need them. The issue is up to every
ArmeIlcan. The ships were bought bv
Liberty bonds to meet a world emcr-
Seney ana to provide against another.
auxiNsry. There is no question about
It. Now let those who object to US
nav'nng the merchant ships of that
naVa! auxiliary engaged in peaceful
deveIopment Of our trade opportuni-
ties stand up to be counted I for
one believe in the sanity of the aver
age man. and for that reason know our
merchant marine is safely launched
tor lasting success. But look out
breakers ahead may confuse the aver
age man There will be little to fear
II the Ame{ican press does its work
has in the last five years.
l will never forget the splendid sum
port have received from the A1neri
can press That support at times has
been critical but always in the right
direction. The New York Tribune Sas
done great deal to awaken ;nterest
III the marine. That interest will have
great bearing upon the solution Of
problems now ahead
1t will lend some light upon the
suplect II those who look lightly upon
the merchant marine would i've
thought to tho figures which T. Give
below. ''0
These figures show the develonmont
OF our shipbulding and commerce dur
ing the last hundred years. I believe
tnat the figures which follow are most
amazing evidence of our progress dnr-
ing. the last four years in con+rsst
With the decline in our marine during
1he nearly fifty years prior to 1918
The figures are:
Growth Of shipbuilding in the United
states from 1913 to 1920 in average