The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1922-07-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
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Washington. Important though
those problems may be, settlement OF
the coal and railroad strike difficulties
should not be permitted to detract
public attention from other matters
vitality affecting the future of the Unit
ed States and its industries" says the
Republican Publicity Association.
Labor controversies are of brief
duration, and, undoubtedly, settle
ments will be reached on basis of
practical justice to all concerned.
Serious though they may be, the en-
barrassments these controversies pre-
sent are temporary. or no less imme-
date Importance and of far more con-
Germ to the nation in the course OF
years is the merchant marine problem
ut is necessary to mention only
few of the fundamental reasons why
the United States should have mer-
chant marine adequate for the hand
ling of due proportion of our foreign
Spain and during the recent war with
Europe that it is vitality important for
nation To have a merchant fleet upon
which to rely for transportation OF
munitions and troops in case of war.
Fortunately, in both of the instances
mentioned. the United States was able
to secure from other nations most of
the shipping necessary to convey its
soldiers and military supplies. Since
it can not be certain that such an ar
rangement would always be possible,
here can be no disputing the asser-
ton that there should be subject TO the
call of the American government, |
permanent fleet of first-class steam |
ships and men trained in seamanship |
adequate for any emergency that may |
arise. The folly of unpreparedness in |
this respect was readily recognized |
and admitted by all the American peo-
Pile in 1898 and again in 1917.
But independence of other nations
n carrying troops and military sup
plies is scarcely more important than
independence in carrying our foreign
commerce. There is much force to the
remark made by an eminent authority
on shippin gthat no retail merchant
would leave to his rivals the delivery
IF his goods. Yet that is practically
what the industrial United States is
doing when it fails to maintain mer-
organized and managed is
discoverer of ne wmarkets-a develop
er of trade. II that fleet be operated
under flags of other nations il will
seek markets for the products Of those
and seek new buyers for
heir commodities. If under the Amer
lean flag, a similar service will be rem
1ered for American producers.
Moreover, the operation OF an ocean
carrying service means the payment of
wages to American seamen, the pur-
chase of fuel and supplies in American
markets, the construction Of ships in
American yards. the making of repairs
in American dry docks, the payment
of premiums to American marine in
surance companies, and the retention
of freight charges in American bust
ness circles.
Differences Of opinion upon mat
tiers of minor detail regarding methods
by which an American merchant ma
rine is to be established and maintain
ed ought not be permitted to defeat
the all-important essential of assuring
permanency and regularity to the op-
Grafton of American merchant ships
between the principal ports of the
United States and every port in every
country where there is reasonable
prospect for US to build up trade of
mutual benefit to US and to our Gus
tomers. The merchant marine problem
will be with us after the coal and rail-
road strikes have been settled"