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

for ourselves. When we were
later engaged we trebled and
quadrupled the output on our own
account. Allied resources were
called upon to build TO meet the
destruction by submarine war
fare, and ships were SO essential
that material for them was given
priority over arms and munitions.
There was the call for ships. and
ships, and yet more shops, and we
enlarged old yards and established
new ones without counting the
cost. We builded madly, extrava.
gantly, impractically, and yet mt'
raculously, but we met pressing
need and performed a great
service.
A people indifferent to the vital
necessity of a merchant marine to
the national defense, ungrudgingly
expended at five times the cost of
normal construction, and appro-
priated billions where millions had
been denied before. We acquired
vast tonnage. Some of il, much
of 1t. is suited to the peace service
of expanded commerce. Some of
II, may be charged TO the errors
and eXtravagances OF wartime
anxiety and haste. The war pro-
gram, and that completion of con-
tracts which followed because
such a course seemed best to those
then charged with responsibility,
gave us something more than H.
100000 gross tonnage, not count
ing the folly of the wood con-
struction, at a total outlay of APP
proXimately three and one-half
billions of dollars.
We thus became possessed of
the vehicles of a great merchant
marine. Not all OF it was prac.
teal for use in the transoceanic
trades; little of ii was built for
speed which gives the coveted
class to outstanding service. But
here was vast tonnage for cargo
service; and the Government, in
the exceptional call of commerce
which Immediately followed the
war. sought the establishment of
shipping lines in every direction
calculated to- enhance our for
eign trade and further cement
our friendly relations.
Essentials Lacking.
The movement lacked in most
NdSSo TINT 'CStIllldl W
success which is found in individ-
ual initiative. 1t was rather a
Government experiment. where
lines We're established in high
hope and little assurance, because
the Public Treasury was to bear
the burden. There was the mere
suggestion of private enterprise,
inasmuch as allegations and char
Il III.
vate management was 10 share in
profits and private interests were
paid to make the experiment,
though the Government was to
bear ell the losses. / forbear the
detailed recital. The misadvan-
ture was 50 unfortunate that when
the present administration came
into responsibility the losses were
approximately $4,000, 900 a month,
and TO the cost OF failure was
added the humiliation of ships Ii.
beled in foreign ports.
In spite of all the later losses
in operation. however, il is quite
beyond question that our abund.
ance of American tonnage was
mainly responsible for our ability
to share in the good fortunes OF
world trade during the two years
Immediately following the war. In
all probability the losses we have
sustained in our shipping activities
were fully compensated to the
American people in the saving OF
ocean freights in that period.
Possess Vast Tonnage.
Today we are possessed of vast
tonnage, large and very costly
experience. and the conviction of