Evening star., 1922-11-21

ity forbids. Concern about our
policy is not limited to or own
domain, though the interest abroad
is of very differing character.
hope it is seemly to say it. because
it must be said. the maritime ma
tions of the world are in complete
accord with the opposition here to
the pending measure. They have a
perfect right to such an attitude.
When we look from their view
points we can understand. But I
wish to stress the American view
point. Ours should be the view
point from which one sees Ame-i-
can carriers at sea, the depend
ence of American commerce. aad
American vessels for American re-
lance 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 enaced
from the memory of this or future
generations.
Not so many months ago the
head of company operating
fleet of ships under our flag called
at the executive offices to discuss
a permit to transfer his fleet of
cargo vessels to foreign flag.
though he meant to continue them
in a distinctly American service.
He based his request for transfer
on the allegation that by such a
transfer he could reduce his labor
costs alone sufficiently to provide
a profit on capital invested. 1 do
not vouch for the accuracy of the
statement nor mean to discuss it.
The allusion is made to recall that
in good conscience Congress has
created by law conditions sur
rounding labor on American ships
which shipping men the world over
declare result in higher costs of
operation under our flag. 1 frank
ly rejoice if higher standards for
labor on American ships have been
established. Merest justice sug-
gests that when Congress fixes
these standards 1t is fair to ex-
tend government aid in maintain
ing them until world competition
is brought to the same high level,
or until our shipping lines are so
firmly established that they can
face world competition alone.
A National Aspiration.
Having discussed in detail the
policy and provisions of the pend
ing bill when previously address,
ing you, forbear a repetition now.
IN individual exchange of opinion
.ot a few in House or Senate have
expressed personal sympathy with
the purpose of the bill. and then
uttered discouraging doubt about
the sentiment of their constituent
cies. 1t would be most discourag
ing If a measure of such trans
cending national Importance must
have its fate depend on geograph-
ical. occupational, professional. or
partisan objections. Frankly, I
think it loftier craftsmanship to
support and commend a policy
designed to effect the larger good
to the nation than merely to re-
constituency.
Out of the harmonized aspira-
tions. the fully informed convic-
tions and the united efforts of all
the people will come the greater
republic. Commercial eminence on
the seas. ample agencies for the
promotion and carrying of our
foreign commerce, are of no less
Importance to the people of Mis-
sissippi and the Missouri valley.
the great northwest. and the
Rocky Mountain states. than to the
seaboard states and industrial
communities building inland
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 community
selfishness or narrowness, the sun
of this republic will have passed
its meridian. and our larger aspi-
rations will shrivel in the ap-
preaching twilight.
Sees Return on Expenditure.
But let us momentarily put aside
the aspiring and inspiring view
point. The blunt, indisputable
fact of the loss of fifty millions a
year under government operation
remains; likewise the fast dimin-
ishing capital account, the enor-
nous war expenditure, to which
we were forced because we had
not fittingly encouraged and build
ed as our commerce expanded in
peace. Here are facts to 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
capital account are of concern to
all the people.
It is my firm belief that the COM
bined savings of operating losses
and the protection Of the capital
account through more advantage
Gus sales of our war-built or war
seized ships, because of the favor
ing. policy which the pending bill
will establish, will more than pay
every dollar expended in Govern
ment aid for rs years to come.
Would Save 10000, 900.
It should be kept in mind that
" the approximate sum of flve mil
lions annually paid for the trans
port Of ocean mails is no new ex-
penditure. It should be kept in
mind that the loan fund to en-
courage building IL not new; 1t is