The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-11-18
SHIP SUBSIDY IS
URGED BY FAXON
Need of Inland Water
Route Presented by
Waterway Secretary
TELLS OF RIVER LINE
Says Mississippi Barge Route
a Paying Proposition De-
spite High Cost

what is the matter with the
world?"
where are we drlfting7"
Are We responsible in our
citizenship"
Are we economically sound2"
These were some Of the questions
in the address Of Ralph H. Faxon,
secretary OF the Mississippi Valley
association. at the Chamber OF Com
merce luncheon at Hotel Tulsa
Friday noon.
There was a good deal about
citizenship responsibility: about cor
related communities work. abou;
possible fallings OF the individual
the community, and the organiza.
ton; and what he called Sound
doctrine" regarding such immediate
economic subjects as foreign trade.
merchant marine and transporta-
tion.
There was bit OF gossip about
Tulsa. previous visits. amazment at
constantly-improving conditions In
the Magic city, and some good
natured badinare AT the expense OF
such personal frlends as william
Holden, c. w. Benedict, .. r.
Richards, Or. o. NJ. Holiday. the
Lortons, and othern
Mr.. Faxon has been on tour OF
visits TO important industrial and
economic centers. into several states
OF the valley, and looking over the
general situation. For instance, he
complimented the Oklahoma Cotton
Growers association movement,
which, he said, together with the
state rural credits law In South
Dakota, represented the most dis
tlnct organized economic advance In
the Mississippi valley. II not in the
entire country"
The merchant marine came In for
a considerable share OF Mr.. Faxon's
remarks In emphasizing economic
responsibility. He explained the pro-
posal fully. He told of the fleet OF
merchant vessels built by the gov
ernment during war TO carry men
and supplies TO the other side He
said this fleet comprised 1900
worthy and servlceable vessels.
which we're "eating their heads off"
at eastern and gulf docks. They
were not in use in carrying COM
merce. the purpose for which they
are In existence. II was costing the
government $50 100000 annually in
them and keen them up. The pro-
posal In the shipping bill. for the
consideration OF which congress will
meet neNt Monday. Ia TO arrange for
their purchase on reasonable terms
from the government by competent
operators, and for n small subsidy
TO take up the slack between the
higher cost Of manning American
vessels and the foreign owned ves-
sells engaged in ocean carrying.
This additional cost was because OF
the Ia Toilette Heaman's act. which
created elght-hour shifts. demanded
higher wages. and higher subsistence
cost, thus disadvantaging the Ameri-
can operator.
ship Subsidy Urged.
Mr.. Faxon said this su bsldy would
not amount 10 more than 10000
600 per annum, n distinct saving
over the present indirect subsidy
OF sbo,o0o,o00, and that II was a
direct appropriation as the present
custom is. He pointed out the pre-
servation OF the established trade
routes, under the pending Jones'
Greene bill: the method of port de-
veiopment AT the gulf; the freedom
from New York and North Atlantic
port monopoly; and the economic
effect OF taking idle and deteriorat-
ing property, putting II TO use, plac-
ing IL on the tax roll, carrying the
goods and commerce OF the valley.
and actually saving money over the
present system.
"A good many men. including
sone United States senators, some
newspapers. and some alleged eco
noniists have grossly misstated the
facts concerning the proposed meas.
ure,' Mr.. Faxon said. What ]
have said is exactly the't truth about
it."
Mr.. Faxon stated that the mer-
chant marine establishment was a
link In transportation and foreign
trade, which he characterized as the
greatest economic problems now be-
fore this section of the country. He
pointed out the tremendous produc-
tive figures OF the valley In agri-
culture ana industry, ndthe scien-
tific fact that from 25 10 40 per
cent OF agriculture went Into for
eign trade and tina III per cent OF
Industrial output did the same.
Then you tell me that this entire
valley section isn't interested In rec
tification OF carrying processes; Isn't
interested in foreign trade; isn't In
terested In the merchant mariner
asker Mr.. Flaxon.
1T Is idle to make such state
msnt. 1t Is the business OF you
men In this room. the business or
Tulsa with It's oil and industrial out
put, the business OF Oklahoma with
its cotton and grain and livestock