Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-03-03

Va
the vast tonnage acquired or construct
ed in the great war. emergency. The
experiment we have made has been
very costly. Much has been learned, to
be sure. but the outstanding lesson is
that the government cannot profitably
manage our merchant shipping. The
most fortunate changes in the person.
mel of management would still leave us
struggling with policy fundamentally
wrong and practically impossible.
Having failed at such enormous
cost, l bring you the proposal. which
contemplates the return to individual
initiative and private enterprise, aided
to a conservative success, wherein we
are safeguarded against the promotion
Of private greed. and do not discourage
the hope Of profitable investment,
which underlies all successful en-
deavor
I'VE have voiced our concern for the
good fortunes of agriculture, and it is
right that we should. We have long
proclaimed our interest in manufactur-
ing, which is thoroughly sound, and
helped to make us what we are. In the
evolution Of railway transportation we
have revealed the vital relationship Of
our rail transportation to both ;agricul-
ture and commerce. We have been ex-
pending for many years large sums for
deepened channels and better harbors
and improved inland waterways, and
much of It has found abundant return
in enlarged commerce, But we have
ignored our merchant marine. The
world war revealed the weakness of our
unpreparedness for. defense in war, our
unreadiness for self reliance in peace.
Change of Our Position.
"Up to the world war we were a
debtor nation. Our obligations were
held largely by the maritime powers.
Apart from the advantages in carrying
our commerce. they sought our ship
ments for the balance due them. There
lisa different condition nov, They are
concerned with shipments to us, but
not so interested in our shipments to
them 1t is our high purpose to con-
tinue our exchanges, both buying and
selling, but we shall be surer OF. our
selling, notably our foodstuffs. If we
maintain facilities for their transpor-
tation. So
.Contemporaneous with the awaken
ing, we have the proposal to carry our
ocean going facilities to the great 'un-
salted seas which place the farms Of
the upper Mississippi valley on. mar
ket way to the rnarts of the Old World.
We should fail to adjust our vision to
the possibilities If we halted in making
for American eminence on the ocean
highways now awaiting our return. ::
''we have recently Joined the great
powers in a program which not only
puts an end to costly competition in
naval armament and reduces the ma
val forces of. the world, but adds to the
confidence in maintained. peace. The
Of strength among the pow
ers would be wholly one Of disappoint-
ing theory, If ours is to be merchant
marine inadequate for the future. I do
not care to stress it as a means of de-
fense. The war and our enforced out
lay have already stressed that point.
"The merchant marine Is universally
recognized as the second line of naval
defense. 1t is indispensable in the time
of great national emergency. 1t is COM
mendable to upbuild and maintain, be-
cause it Is the highest agency Of peace
and amity, and bears no threat and in
cites no suspicion. And yet it is a su
preme assurance, withouts which we
should be unmindful of our safety and
unheeding OF our need to continued
growth and maintained influence.
81 am thinking of the merchant ma
rine of peace. Commerce is insepara-
BILE from progress and attainment.
Commerce and it's handmaidens have
wrought the greater intimacy among
nations, which calls for understandings
and guarantees Of peace. However, We
work it out. whatever our adjustments
are to promote international trade, 1t is
inevitable that the hundred millions
here, outstanding in genius and unriv-
aled in industry and incalculable in
their resources, must be conspicuous in
the worlds exchange. We cannot hope
to compete unless we carry, and our
concord and our influence are sure to
be measured by that unfailing stand
ard which is found in a nations mer-
chant marine"