, 1922-06-12

public affairs be reviewed from time to time. The
pubIics memory is sLoE., especially in these times
when so many things 81 vast Importance transpire
50 rapidly.
One of the performances by which .be Demo
cratic partys ability to handle public affairs must
be Judged is its record in connection with the Ship
ping Board Congressman Graham, Of Illinois, has
reviewed in a very concise form the record Of the
Wilson regime in this respect Mr.. Graham sets
forth that in 1916, as a part of the machinery for
stimulating the merchant marine by act of congress,
the Shipping Board was created. After the declara-
ton Of war congress, by the urgent deficiency act
OF 1917 conferred vast powers upon the president TO
requisition and build ships. This power by execu.
tive order, dated July IL, 1917, the president dele
gated to the Emergency Fleet corporation.
Thereafter occurred the monstrous expenditures
of our shipping program says Representative
Graham. ~They cost the nation 1896, 100000. Con
tracts were made with anyone and with everyone
who said he could bu16 4 ship irrespective Of price
or quality. There was no uniform plan FOR these
ships adopted. No thought was given 60 whas use
the ship might be put after the war. There were
no cancellation clauses in the contracts "a that il
the war ended the work might be stopped.
Five hundred ana eighty-nine wooden ships were
built, costing approximately s375, 100000, which
were absolutely worthless; 30 concrete ships costing
s27,OO0,000 mere were equally worthless: 2.2sS
ships were built and delivered but of these only $50
were delivered before the armistice, while all the
rest, or about ISIS, were delivered after the war
was over and further necessity for them had disap-
peared- Because the contracts had no caneella-
ton clause and because of the ~insistent pressure of
the Democratic administration this war time ship
buhuAhE went on IeNerlsniN not only IN lgl9 but 1t
went on until the present administration came into
power. As late as 1920 there were 473 ships con.
structed and delivered TO the government, and the
most shameful part Of this was that of these 81
were wooden ships, conceded by everyone TO be
worthless.
when the present administration come in on
March 4, 1927. it tried to take stock. 1t now finds
about 5,OO0,000 tons of steel ships which are sal
able for approximately $50, 900, 900 and estimated
other assets of $4,000, 900. 1t finds claims pend
ing against the government of S29S,42S, S45, which if
allowed IN full, would just about wipe out all our
assets and leave us nothing to show for our $3,306,
OOO,OOO OF the peoples money expended.
TO show the rank incompetency of the preced.
ing administration, it has been found that mort
cages and other liens securing the government for
lost. Liens for millions which should have been
taken were not. Vast sums for repairs and recon
ditionlng were charged against the corporation for
things which the slightest care might have pre-.
vented; ships had been sold without a cent of
deposit or a letter of security; vast contracts
uncancellable, for materials were found. To illus.
trate, a contract to take 100000 barrels of fuel
oil a year. The board is involved in 80 concerns
which are in the hands of receivers. Three thous
and five hundred law suits in the civil courts are
pending and $62, 739,315 of claims in the court of
claims, and a business which is now losing 5000,
600 a month.
"Now we have this wreck to salvage. For 80
years the contingent liabilities of this experiment
Will haunt us. We have not only spent our three
and one-half billions, but we must contrive some
method of subsidy to keep what ships we have
upon the sea. And in this last attempt to get
something constructive out of this insolvent bust.
ness, we are meeting the almost undivided opposi.
ton oil the Democratic minority in the congress-"