Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-28
First Years Cost S15. ZOO, 900

FIRST Years LOST SlJ.VOO.OW
''The cost of such Il program probably
will reach 5,0OO.0O tn" first year
estimated on tn" largest possibilities OF
the present fleet. With larger rcim-
hIrs-mrnt 10 high speed vessels and
'hr enlargement Of the merchant ma
rinr to capacity comparable with our
commerce. the total outlay may reach
the limits of $50 900 .UGU. but II is con-
idcntly believed that tho scale may in
due tim" thereafter be turned. until the
larger reimpurspmcntS are restored to
the treasury.
Even II we accept the extreme pos
sibility-that we shall cxprnd the maxi
mum and no return will ever be made,
which Is to confess our inability TO cs
, tablish an American merchant marine
the expenditure would be vastly pref
cradle to the present unfortunate Sit
uutiOn, with our dependence on our
competitors for the delivery of our prod.
ucts. Moreover, III" cost for the en-.
tire year would be little more than the
deficit heretofore encountered in two
months during the experiment. Of the
Government sponsoring tho lines and
guaranteeing the cost Of their operation.
"Thc proposed plan will supcrSede
all postal subycntions. postal r0mpen.
.
cepting parcel post freghts, all OF
which combined are fast growing to
approximately $1,000 900 annually. IL
will ultimately take The Govcrnmont
out Of business which has been. and
i now, excessively costly and wastcful.
and involving loss in excess OF the
highest subsidy proposed. u VIII bring
10 shipping again that individual in
i'iative which j. the very snnl % 'HC-
cesstul enterprise. II Shou!i enable
the Government to liquidnte It's We t
fleet to the highest possible advantage.
Moro Than Direct Aid Necessary
| "'rhc making of successful Amcri-
can mrvrhnnt marine. which must lace
tho stiffcSt possible competition by tie
feet, ot the maritime nations. requires
something more than tn" direct aid TO
which l have alluded. The direct aid
runs to $3O, ,OO0. 900 annually, il in
| sufficient alsne to offset the advantages
| OF competing fleets. There are. more
| over, wage costs and working condi-
| tions and the higher costs Of rRt!oning.
which no considerable American senti-
ment will consent to have lowered to
| competing standards.
1.-The men who sail the seas under our
flag must be permitted to stand erect in
] fhg YlllneSS Ol hHeTICun
! There is the higher cost Of construction,
the larger investment. the higher cost
Of Insurance outlay, even though the
rate is the same. There are higher in
terest charges. Our problems in ship
ming are very much the same as are
those Of our industries ashore, and we
should he as Jealous in promoting the
one as wc are i'll protecting the other.
Indirect Aid Needed
eve may and must aid indirectly
as we'll az directly. We need a fRvoriny
spirit. an awakened American pride,
and an avowcd American deterlnina ion
that we shall become. In the main, the
carriers Of our own commerce, in spite
Of all competition and all discourage
ments. With direct and Indirect aid.
bring to you definite program. Those
who oppose it ought to in all fairness
70 propose an acceptable alternative.
There can be no dispute about the end
at which We are aiming.
"Of the indirect aids there are many,
practically all without draft upon the
public treasury, and yet all highly
helpful In promoting American ship.
ping. II 10 simple thing-sseminsiy
Il ought not require the action OF Con-
gress-but American officials travelling