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

eu, 10 he sure, sDut the OutStdHu-
ing lesson Is that the Government
can not profitably manage our
merchant shipping. The most
fortunate changes In the person
mel of management would still
leave us struggling with a policy
fundamentally wrong and practi-
cally impossible.
Having failed at such enor-
nous cost, bring you the pro-
posal which contemplates the re-
turn to individual Initiative and
private enterprise, aided TO a con-
sentative success, wherein we are
safe guarded against the promo
ton OF private greed. and do not
discourage the hope of profitable
investment, which underlies all
successful endeavoT.
Voice Our Concern.
We have voiced our concern for
the good fortunes of agriculture,
and Il is right that we should. We
have long proclaimed our interest
in manufacturing, which is thor
oughly 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
agriculture and commerce. We
have been expanding for many
years lalrge sums for deepened
channelsl and better harbors and
improved inland waterways. and
much Of il has found abundant re-
turn in enlarged commerce. But
we have ignored our merchant ma
rine. The World War revealed our
weakness, our unprepar edness for
defense i'm war, our unreadiness
for self-relisnce in peace
1t would sem as though transpir-
ing events were combining TO
adomish Us not to fail now TO re-
assert ourselves. In the romantic
DAYS OF wooden hullsl and whitened
sails and the sturdiest men Of the
sea we outsailed the world. and
carried our own Cargoes, revealed
our flag TO the maTts OF the world.
Up 10 the World War we were
debtor nation. Our obligations
were held largely by the msratime
powers. Apart from the advant-
ages ! marrying our commerce,
they sought our shipments Tor the
balances due TO them. There Is a
different condition now. They are
concerned with shipments to us.
but not so interested in our ship
ments TO thdTn. II is our high
purpose to continue our excha nees.
both buying and selling. but we
shall he surer of our selling, no
tably our footstuffs. IL we main
tain facilities for their transporta-
ton.
COtemporaneous with the awak-
ching, We have the proposal 10
carry our ocean-going facilities 10
the great "unsalted seas" which
shall place the farms of the upper
Mississippi valley on market
way to the marts of the Old World.
We shall fail to adjust our vision
10 the possibilities II we halted in
making for American eminence on
the ocean highways now awaiting
our return.
We have recently Joined the
great naval powers in a program
which not only puts an end to
costly competition in naval arma-
ment and reduces the naval forces
OF the. world, but adds to the con.
fidence in maintained peace. The
relatively Of strength among the
powers would be wholly one OF
disappearing theory. IL ours is to
be merchant marine Inadequate
for the future. / do not care to
stress II as a means of defense.
The war and our enforced outly
have already stressed that point.
The merchant marine is univer-
sally recognized as the second line
Of naval defense. II is indispen.
sible in the time OF great national
emergency. II il commendable to
upbuild and maintain, because IL
is the highest agency of peace and
amity, and bears no threat and in
cites no suspicion. And yet it Is
supreme assurance, without
which we should be unmlndful Of
our safety and unheeding OF our
need to continued growth and
maintained influence.
am thinking Of the merchant
marine Of peace. Commerce is
inseparable from progress and at
tainment. Commerce and its
handmaidens have wrought the
greater intimacy among nations.
which calls for understanding
and guarantees Of peace. How
ever we work II out, whatever
our adjustments are to promote
international trade. il is inevita-
BILE that the hundred millions
here. outstanding In genius and
unrivaled in industry and meal.
Culable i'm their resources, must
be conspicuous in the worlds ex-
changes. We cannot hope to com.