The Missouri herald., 1922-11-24
MR.. HARDINc's WEAK POSITION.

n
President Harding's statements with regard
the Importance and value of merchant marine to American
national selfdefense unanswerable says the
PostDspatch hey will be indorsed by of all shades
of public opinion They the backbone of his argument
for ship subsidy to build and establish American ship
ping.
The moment however, he shifts to the subject of how
an adequate merchant ought to be established he
illogical and unconvncing His impressive statement
that Govementcontroled shipping has lost and
will continue lose millions under present conditions
in itself argument for ship subsidy may be argu
men for change OF operations and conditions which would
entirely change the outlook and the possibilities of profitable
operation of American ships
"The moment the President mentioned foreign trade and
the tariff the weakness of his position became apparent He
that American shipping must be enabled by compensation
to build profitable business in carrying foreign trade
especially the foreign trade of America. How build
profitable transportation of American foreign trade when
there isn't enough American foreign
potation profitable? And there be enough foreign
trade for the profitable operation American ships when the
Government itself barriers against American foreign
trade by dscouragng prohibtory import taxes? What
sency there in the President who has approved deadly
tariff law asking the Congress which has passed it
subsidy to American shipping order to enable capture
foreign trade? How American ships build
poration of foreign trade when barrier has up
against imports from foreign countries? We trade
only and if could one-way traffic would never be
profitable
Until we are willing to trade with foreign nations and
exchange of goods fair basis especially when
sell for because most of possible foreign
customers have neither credit cannot have
chants shipping.
The Republican tariff law for the benefit of the favored
the Presidents argument for the estab
fishing of merchant marine by subsidies carry for
eign trade absurdity.
"The situation shows privilege works We give
manufacturers the privilege of shutting off foreign competition
profit the monopoly of the American market and
proposed endow American shipping with fat SUBJ
sides operate empty hafempty ships at profit 1t is
endless chain privilege all the of which falls
the American people.
when the barriers against foreign trade
down and freedom of trade given American ships and
proven that they flourish free and
trade, it will be time enough to talk Of subsidies
Another handicap American passenger ships-the
important for defensive purposess the dry law which
drives passenger traffic Take all the deadly prohbi
ons off before talking of subsidies
"The Presidents comparison of shipping subsidies with
Federal aid for good roads habos and waterways neither
happy logical In constructing harbor opening navgabe
waterways and helping good roads, the Govern
men merely prepares paths for offers roads,
waterways and terminals for traffic and it's military and
mail 1t does not subsdze the trucks which the
roads has built the argument that should subsize
line for purposes but it has become profitable because
trade between the States is free There trade capture
Subsidies should be the last the first of the
Government They involve privilege and income which
earned by Skill energy and Judgment Their influence
initiative and capacity deadenng Like the eechs
daughters privilege always calls for The time stop
subsidies have found in the pro-
digous proteerng infant industries which still being fed
by privilege Until American initiative and energy
building traffic under conditions have
been given full opportunity the American people will
subsidies
"The President has not handled question building
merchant marine with either sincerity franknes sound
judgment The best minds his see nothing but
privilege and Government aid the solution business
problems"