New-York tribune., 1922-11-27
Dodging the Record

Do0Bing tine Record
Opposition to the passage of the
shipping bill is becoming more and
more tinged with partisan insin-
cerity. Democratic newspapers aud
Democratic members of the House
and Senate are working to de1 eat the
pending measure not on its merits
bat as q matter of party strategy.
We can't miss such an oppor-
unity they say, ITO drive wedge
between the Western farm bloc and
the Harding Administration"
In SO doing they turn their backs
completely on the Democratic party's
shipping record under the Wilson
Administration. Mr.. Wilson believed
IN creating and maintaining an
American merchant marine. He saw
even back in 1913 and 1914 that the
United States could no longer afford
TO let the great bulk of American
exports and imports be carried in
foreign bottoms.s He discarded abso-
lutely the earlier Democratic doc
frine, to which many of his followers
are now returning, that it is better
! TO let the foreigner do the carry
. ing because he is able to do it
cheaper. That is the apology of
dependent and slothful maritime
nation for not assuming its own
tasks on the seas and drawing from
them additional economic power and
national security.
This abject argument meant moth
ing to Mr.. Wilson. He was so i'm
pressed with the need of quick cor
rection Of the blunders of the past
that he vaulted over all intermediate
remedies and planted himself square
ly on the emergency program of
government purchase. ownership and
operation. He sought to avoid SUBJ
sides because of the prejudice
against that term. But he com
1nitted the Treasury to a policy
Of government expenditure vastly
more burdensome than any possible
promise Of subsidies.
The Democratic party followed
Mr. Wilson in Offering the most
paternalistic form of assistance to
shipping. It fostered government
control and operation. 1t created
Shipping Board. 1t expended So, ,000,-
100000 in building the merchant
marine, which most Democratic
i newspapers and Congressman now
sseem to want to write off a total
war loss.
This colossal confession of failure
was never contemplated by the
Democratic party when it was in
power. Government ownership and
operation were defended by Mr.. Will
son as necessary short cut to the
revival of American shipping. But
ne did not have in mind either per-
nanent government ownership, what
ever the loss in it, or the s2rapping
of the feet when the monopolistic
experiment should collapse of its
own extravaganza and unwicldiness.
He said in his message of December
8, 1914:
"It is not question of the gov
ernment monopolizing the field. 1t
should take action TO make it certain
that transportation at reasonable
rates will be promptly provided, even
where the carriage is not at first
profitable; and then, when carriage
has become sufficiently profitable to
attract and engage private capital,
and engage it in abundance, the gov
ernment ought TO withdraw"
Government ownership has failed
calamitously. The pending bill offers
a means of attracting private capi-
tai into shipping, thus enabling the
government to withdraw. But those
who got the country into the mess
will give no help in dragging it out.
It Is sorry exhibition of partisan
triyiality and Inconsistency.