The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-25
Federal Aid Essential for
 U. s. Merchant Marine
 Commissioners Dec Lare
Thompson Issues Statement Regarding Proposed Sub sidy Bll-Democratc Members of Shipping Board Will Support Measure--Shps Would Protect
 Nation During Possible Wars

with return to the government of any direct financial aid heretofore granted. This provision would ap. pear to distinctly provide against any illegitimate drain upon the fed eral treasury, and such certainly is its purpose.
 Computing Aid
 "Particularly of concern to every section of the United States is the method of computing this direct aid It is especially to be noted that 1t shall be computed upon basis of geographical equality. Under this suggested provision there can be no port monopoly In the movement of commerce. Any port on any of the American seaboards through which commerce flows will have equality of mileage to the ports of other na- tiens to which cargo may be des- tined. The mileage basis of direct aid would have the effect of placing all ports in approximate geographi- cal ratio. to ports of foreign destina- ton.
 Further protection of those ports leaitimately seeking to expand is provided by an elasticity in the direct aid when the proposed standard basis is found to be insufficient for the maintenance of an essential trade route. This Is of particular value and importance to the handicapped ports of the American seaboards. It Is recognized to be unprecedented in tent of Congress, reflected in the merchant marine act, that ports so geographically located as to become the seaboard exporting base for cer- tain productive and distributing areas should receive full opportunity for growth and development. Economy and facility in the moving of ocean commerce should prompt it's flow through the port gateway of nearest geograp phical location. thus e1iminat- ing that handicap to the borne com merce, of artificial and unnatural distance haul to seaboard.
 Strategic Trade Routes
 "It was in recognition of this in- tent of Congress that the elasticity feature of the suggested direct aid Legislation was made. A ship might operate at profit from port to one seaboard. but with resultant handi- cap to the moving commerce if the seaboard outlet was remote. There fore. if strategic and important trade routes from all the ports of all the
 
 ports in the world be established and maintained, the situation could we'll arise whereby the protection of the moving commerce from an artificial distance haul to seaboard would re- Quire some given and special consid- eration and support. even beyond the basic support suggested in the legis- lation under hearing and review.
 This elasticity In the granting of direct aid would particularly serve to meet the needs of those seaperts seeking to grow and expand; would serve to protect the interior produc- ing and manufacturing centers from discrimination in export commerce; would prompt all ports to provide es- sential terminals to handle shipping so necessary in time of natural emer- goncy. thus preventing that conges- ton of movement illustrated at the beginning of the World war; it would tend to insure each central producing area beang kept upon competitive basis. es E4 Tt would guard against the penal ization of one port in favor of an other, though removal of any hand icap that may be imposed through artificial land transportation haul upon any HdnuiactufiHs anu piouoS ing area entitled to an export base at it's nearest geographical ocean out let. It's intent is to make the opera ton of an American merchant ma rine represent the nation and it's cit izenship in it's entirety. giving in it's making an equal accruing benefit to every seaport, every interior area. every manufacturer and producer, wherever and in whatever area lo- cated."