South Bend news-times., 1922-11-22

not more IA proportion TO their
population and capacity than other
great nations have done In aiding
the establishment OF their merchant
marines, and u is timely 20 recall
that we gave them our commerce TO
aid IN their upbuildlng, while the
American task now Is 70 upbuild and
establish in the face OF their most
active competition. Indeed. the
American development will have 10
overcome every obstacle which may
be put IN our path, except as inter-
national comfy forbids. Concern
about our policy Is not limited to
our own domain. though the inter-
est abroad Is of every differing char
acter. 1 hope 1t IS seemly 10 say,
because II must be said, the mari
time nations OF the world are in
complete accord with the opposition
here 70 the pending measure. They
have a perfect right 10 such an at
titude. Whom we look from their
viewpoints we can understand. But
we wish to stress the American view
point.
Ours should be the viewpoint
from which one sees American car
rieus at sea, the dependence OF
American comm erce. and American
vessels for American reliance in the
event OF war. Some OF the costly
lessons Of war must be learned again
and again, but our shipping lesson
in the World war was much too
costly TO be effaced from the memory
OF this or future generations.
Discusses Permit.
Not so many months ago the head
OF a company operating a fleet OF
ships under our flag called at the
executive offices 10 discuss a permit
to transfer his feet OF cargo vessels
70 a foreign flag, though he meant
TO continue them in distinctly
American service. He based his re-
quest for transfer on the allegation
that by such a transfer ne could re-
duce his labor costs alone sufficiently
to provide profit on capital in
vested. I do not vouch for the ac-
curacy Of the statement, nor mean
to discuss II. The aIluston IS made
to recall that in good conscience
congress has created by law condi-
tions surrounding labor on American
ships which shipping men the world
over declare result In higher costs of
operation under our flag.
sincerely rejoice IL higher stan
dards for labor on American ships
have been established. Merest justice
suggests that when congress fixes
these standards. it is fair to extend
government aid IN maintaining them
until world competition is brought
to the same high level, or until our
shipping lines are so firmly estab-
lished that they can face world COM
petition alone.
Doubts Uttered.
Having discussed in detail the
policy and provisions Of the pend
ing bill when previously addressing
you, l fOrbear a repetition now. In
individual exchanges of opinion, not
a few IN house or senate have ex-
pressed personal sympathy with the
purposes of the bill. and then utter
ed a discouraging doubt about the
sentiment Of their constituencies.
1t would be most discouraging If
a measure Of such tTanscending ma
tional Importance must have its fate
depend on geographical, occupation
al, professional. or partisan objec-
tiOns. Frankly, ] think it loftier
statesmanship to support and COM
mend a policy designed to effect the
larger good TO the nation than mere
ly to record the too hasty impress
sions Of a constituency. Out Of the
harmonized aspirations. the fully in
formed convictions, and the uniteo
efforts Of all the people will come
the greater republic, commercial
eminence on the seas, ample agen
cies for the promotion and carrying
of our foreign commerce, and are
of no less Importance to the peo-
pie Of Mississippi and the Missouri
valley, the great northwest, and the
Rocky Mountain states, then to the
seaboard states and industrial COM
munities building inland a thousand
miles or more.
1t IS a common cause with Its
benefits commonly shared. When
people fail in the national viewpoint
and live in the confines of COM
munity selhshness or narrowness
the sun OF this republic viii have
passed It's meridian. and our larger
I aspirations viii shrivel IN the ap-
! preaching twilight
Account Diminishes.
But let US momeutariIy put aside
! the aspiring and inspiring view
point the blunt. indisputable fact OF
/ the loss OF s50.000.0 600 a year IN
der government operation remains,
/ likewise the fast diminishing capital
account: the enormous war expendi
ture, to which we were forced be
cause we had not fittingly encourag-
ed and builded as our commerce ex-
panded in peace. Here are facts 70
deal with. not fancies wrought out
/ OF our political and economic dis
putes The abolition OF the annual
| loss and the best salvage Of the cap.
ital account are OF concern to all
the people.
Il Is my firm belief that the COM
/ bined savings OF operating losses
and the protection OF the capital
account through more advantageous
/ sales OF our war-built, OF war-sei zed
7 ships, because OF the favoring policy
I which the pending bin will esta bush
/ viii more than pay every dollar ex-
pended IN government aid for 25
/ years to come.
New Expenditure.
Il should be kept in mind that the
/ approximate sum OF $1,000 900 an
I nuslly paid for the transport OF
| ocean mails Is now new expendi-
/ ture. II should be kept in mind that
| the loan fund TO encourage building
! q -. q. .ha H. 49, a.