The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-28

IL ought not require the actlOn VI
Congress-but American officials
travelling on Government missions
at Government expense ought to
travel OH American ships, assum-
ing that they afford suitable &c
commodations. II they do not af-
ford the requisite accommodation
on the main routes Of world travel,
the argument that we should up
build is strongly emphasized.
think we should discontinue, so
far as practical, the transport serv.
ices in the army and navy, and
make our merchant and passenger
ships the agents Of service in peace
as well as war.
We should make insurance
available at no greater cost than
is afforded the ships under com
peting flags. and we can and will
make effective the spirit OF sec
ton % of the Jones act Of 1929,
providing for preferential rail
and steamship rates on through
shipments on American vessels.
American railways must be bought
into cooperation with American
steamship lines. II is not I'm
accord with either security or
sound business practice to have
our railways furthering the inter
ests OF foreign shipping lines.
when the concord of American
activities makes for common
American good fortune.
Contemplak ing the competition
To be met, there ought TO be an
amendment 10 the Itterstais com
merce act which will permit rail
way systems to own and operate
steamship lines engaged In other
than Coastwise trade. There is
measureless advantage In the
longer shipments where rail and
water transportation are co-or-
dinated, not ulOu- In the ssrVlCe
but in the solicitation OF cargoes
which ever attends an expanding
commerce.
We may further extend our
long-established protection to our
CoastwiEe trade, which In quite III
harmony with the policy Of most
maritime powers. There is author.
ity now TO include the Philippines
in our coastwise trade, and We
need only the establishment Of
proper facilities TO justify the
inclusion of our commerce with
The islands in our coastwise pro-
visions. The freedom OF our con-
tinental markets is we'll worth
such a favoring policy to Ameri.
can ships, whenever the facilities
are suited 10 meet all require.
ments.
Other indirect aids will be found
in the requirement that immIgra.
tinV1 shall fair, l. a
to be practical in aiding the Incr.
chant marine of our flag under
which citizenship is TO be sought.
and in The establishment of the
merchaut-marine naval reserve.
The remission OF proportion of in
come taxes is wholly Compa tible
when the shipping enterprise is OF
direct Government concern. pro-
vided that such remission is ap.
piled 10 The cost OF new ship con
struction.
Congress has already provided
for a loan fund To encourage con.
struction. 1t might well he made
applicable to some special require.
ments in reconditioning.
Worth Our Consideration.
1t is also worth our consideration
that, in view of suspended naval
construction, the continued build.
ing of merchant ships is the one
guaranty Of maintained ship
building industry. without which
no nation may hope to hold a high
place i'm the world of commerce or
be assured Of adequate defense,
A very effective indirect aid. a
substitute for discriminating
duty which shall inure to the beue.
fit OF the American shipper. will
be found in the proposed deduction
on incomes, amounting TO per
centum of the freight paid on car.
goes carried in American bottoms.
The benefits can have no geo.
graphical restrictions. and il offers
it's advantages TO American export.
ers as we'll as those who engage in
imDort trade.
Our existing ships should be
sold at prices prevailing in the
world market. ! am not unmind-
full of the hesitancy to sacrifice
the values to current price levels.
We constructed at the top cost OF
war when necessity impelled, when
the building resources Of many ma.
tons were drawn upon to the
limit to meet a great emergency.
II there had come no depression.
a return to approximate normal
cost would have been inevitable.
But the great slump in shipping
has sent tonnage prices to the
other extreme, not for America
alone. hut throughout the world.
Ii we held our ships to await
The recovery we should only make
more difficult our response to
reckoning opportunity. One OF
the outstanding barriers to general
reimbursement is the tendency to
await more favorable price condi.
lions. In the widest view, the Ma
ton will ultimately profit by sell
ing now. We may end our losses
in an enterprise for which we are
not equipped, and which no other
government has successfully I'M
dertaken, and the low prices at
which we must sell today will
make a lower actual investment
with which we deal in promoting
permanent service.
II were not deeply concerned
with the upbuilding of our mer.
chant marine, l should neverthe-
less strongly urge Congress to
facilitate the disposal of the vast
tonnage acquired or constructed In
the great war emergency. The ex.
pertinent we have made has been
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