Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-11-22

We nope lC VIII, the government
outlay is returned, the expiration of
opportunity to earn remains, and
American transportation by sea is
! established.
American Task
Though differing I'm detail, IL is
not more in proportion to the
! population and capacity than other
great nations have done in aiding
| the establishment OF their mer-
chant marines, and it is timely to
recall that we gave them our COM
merce to aid in their upbuilding
while the American task now IL to
upbuild and establish in the face of
their most active competition. In
deed the American development
will have to overcome every OBJ
stacIe which may be put in our
path, except as international com-
ity forbids But ! wish to stress the
American viewpoint. Ours should
be the viewpoint from which one
sees American carrier at sea, the
dependence Of American commerce,
and American vessels for Ameri-
can 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 upon the memory OF
this or future generations.
Not SO many months ago the head
of a company operating fleet of
ships under cur flag called at the
executive offices to discuss per-
nit TO transfer his fleet to a for
eign flag. He based his request
for transfer on the allegation that
by such a transfer he could re-
duce his labor costS alone suffl-
ciently to provide a profit on cap
ital invested.
In good conscience congress has
created by law conditions sur
rounding labor on American ships
which shipping men the world over
declare results in higher costs of
operation under our flag, I frank
" rejoice If higher standards for
labor on American ships have been
established. Merest justice suggests
that when congress fixes these
standards, it Is fair to extend gov
ernment aid In maintaining them
until world competition is brought
to the same high level or until our
shipping lines are so firmly estao-
lished that they face world compe-
titiOn alone.
Individual exchanges of opinion. !
not a few in house or senate, have |
uttered a discouraging doubt about
the sentiment Of their constituent
cies, 1t would be most discourage !
ing If a measure of such transcend |
ing national importance must have |
it's fate depend on geographical, |
occupational professional or parti-
san objections. Frankly l think it /
loftier craftsmanship to support |
and commend a policy designed to
effect the larger good to the nation
than merely to record the too
hasty impressions Of a constitu-
ency. Out of the harmonized aspi-
rations, the fully informed convic-
tiOns and the united efforts of all
the people will come the greater
republic, When people fail in the
national viewpoint and live IN the
confines In community selfishness
or narrowness. the sun of this re-
public will have passed its meridian
and our larger aspirations will
shriyel in the approaching twilight.
Facts TO Deal With
But let us momentarily put aside
the aspiring and inspiring view
point. Here are facts to deal with,
not faneies wrought out OF our
political and economic disputes.
The abolition of the annual losses.
and the hest salvage of the capital
account are of concern to all the
people.
1t Is my firm belief that the COM J
bined savings OF operating losses
and the protection OF the capital
account through more advanta-
geous sales of our war built or war .
seized ships because of the favor
able policy which the pending bill
viii establish will more than pay {
every dollar expended in govern :
ment aid for twenty-five years to
come.
From this point OF view ii is the
simple incontestable wisdom of
businesslike dealing to save ali that
is possible of the annual loss and
avoid the millions sure TO be lost to
the governments capital account
IN sacrificing our fleet
Thus far l hayo been urging
aid to American Shin
ping, having in mind every interest
OF our producing population wheth-
CT or mine, factory or farm, be.
cause expanding commerce is the
foremost thought OF every nation
in the world today.
j believe III government aid be-
comingly bestowed. We have aided
industry; we have aided railway
transportation and We have aided
the construction of market roads
and the improvement of inlaLd
waterways. We expended millions
IN investigation and experiments
tlon TO promote a common benefit,
though limited few are the direct
beneficiaries. We have loaned hum
dreds of millions to promote the
marketing of American goods. II
mas all been commendable, and
highly worth while.
Farmer Chief Sufferer
At the present moment the -,
American farmer is the chief suf-
ferer from the cruel readjustments
which follow wars inflations, and
befitting government aid to our
farmers is highly essential to our
national welfare. No people NAV
safely boast good fortune which
the farmer does not chare,
Already this congress and the
administration branch of the gov
eminent have given Willing ear TO
the agricultural plea for post war
relief and much hrs heen done
which has proven helpful. Ad-
it is not enough. Our
credit systems under government
provision and control must be
promptly and safely broadened to
relieve our agricultural distress.
To this problem and such other I
pressing importance as reasonable &.
may be dealt with in the short ses-