The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1921-07-19
FARMERS WANT EXPORT
If Adjustment Can Be Made
With the Seamen on the
Eight Hour Problem Ameri-
ca Will Have Little Difficult
ty With the Aid of a Subsi-
dy in Holding Her Own.
(By David Lawrence.l

Washington, July 18.-The revival
of the Emergency Fleet Corporation
has raised some important questions
as to the future of the American
Merchant Marine. While President
Harding and his advisors have not
yet reached a definite program or
policy, the significant thing about the
informal discussions which now are
taking place is the drift toward gov
ernment subsidy of ships flying the
American flag.
For years the subsidy idea has
been warmly espoused by shipping
men, only to be as bitterly denounc-
ed by members of congress hailing
from agricultural states. Five years
ago no American president would
have felt warranted in recommending
subsidy to any class of American
enterprise. But the war has brought
many changes, and it would not be
surprising if before the end of the
Harding administration ship SUBJ
sidy bill, not only was proposed, but
actually put through congress.
1t is felt that the chief source of
cultural element in congress have
recently come forward with a re-
quest for a subsidy themselves. The
proposal that a hundred million dol
lar appropriation be made by the
government to finance agricultural
projects is looked upon by advocates
of the ship subsidy as establishing a
precedent which agricultural sena-
tors and members of the House will
not be able to ignore.
Another element in the situation,
which has made ship subsidies seem
nearer than ever before is the recog-
milton by the farmers that they
must have export trade in order to
care for the surplus remaining an
nually when the domestic market has
been satisfied. Shipping men say that
bigger than the tariff is the question
of freight rates and that it is possible
for foreign concerns to climb the
the cheap transportation rates which
foreign ships enjoy, European con-
Germs will still be able to underse1
in the American market.
In other words, European coun-
tries, especially Great Britain, have
always realized that in the carry
trade lay the biggest opportunities
for profit, irrespective of what coun-
try actually produced or manufactur-
ed the goods carried.
While President Harding is anx1-
GUS that the government should get
out of the shipping business there is
no doubt that he is more interested
for the moment in seeing an Amer
lean Merchant Marine evolved out OF
the huge wreck Of the war. The hand
of the government will always rest,
in a regulatory sense, upon ships fly
ing the American flag and cores
pondingly, it is now forseen, the
American government will see to it
that the deficits in the operation OF
American ships in competition with
foreign flags will be wiped out by
some form of subsidy given either for
the carrying of mails or the develop
ment of trade routes to parts OF the
world hitherto untouched by the
American Merchant Marine.
The subsidy idea is actually being
advocated in administration quarters
by high officials on the ground that II
would be a great economy over the
present method of financing govern
ment ships. While the shipping board
charters its boats to private concerns
la commission is paid on the total
freight receipts, whether the best
actually loses or makes money. Tnls'
it is contended by government ex-
|perts, puts a premium on inefdciency,
fContinues age 81