Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-01
FLOURlSHlNC TRADE SHIPS
MEAN A THRIVING NATION
The Presidents subsidy Plan 10 . Wei.
come and Practical Recognition Of
Vast New Maritime Opportunltles


Vast New Maritime Opportunities
DY GRACE Of extraordinary circum-
ID stances the United states is possessed
| of a merchant feet commensurate with the
dignity and the commercial distinction Of
the Nation.
In this phenomenal growth little con
sistency Of policy can be traced. The enor-
| nous expansion OF shipbuildng was pri-
narily a concomitant of the World War.
| Costs were not counted. Cargo carriers
were. The end Of the conflict marked an
American maritime ascendnncy UNPARALLELED
even in the days preceding the Civil War.
In the first half Of the sixth decade Of the
last century Confederate prvatcers ranging
from Ber!ng Sea to the Magellan Straits
dealt crushing blows to Federal commerce
on the ocean. Legislation contributed vir-
tunlly nothing toward repairing the wreck
age.
Shipping laws were characterized by an
absence OF vision. and by 1914 the United
states. for all It's wealth. resources and its
alleged splendor of Initiative, occupied an
inconspicuous position rs n maritime nation.
The Great Lakes commerce, stimulated by
special fortunate conditions. swclled the
total tonnage. but in foreign trade under the
flag Great Britain. France, Germany and
even little Norway had far ontdistanced ,rs.
Inc tNDleS OrOer"u OtncrWlSe tOuuy.
OF the worlds merchant shipping. the
British still are the leaders with n total
gross tonnage Of more than % 900 600.
But America is a swift second with more
than II 200, 900 tons. There are no close
competitors. the nearest being France. with
about $500, 900 tons.
II is this significant disparity OF assets
and the vast new resources at our disposal
which have inspired Mr.. Harding to sponsor
a plan for restoring the sheen TO n gem Of
the ocean that lacked lustcr for q full half
century.
The proposals presented to Congress in
presidential message yesterday are designed
to terminate n season of houndering extrav-
agancc and at the same time protcct--the
word may be faced without finching-the
maritime resources Of the Nation, in which
every fiber of It's economic structure Is con-
cerned.
The President IS unafraid Of the word
subsidy. long the bugaboo of backwoods
Congressman. and is equally bold in urging
the substitution of we'll defined, concrete,
forward looking policies for those which
have been crippling and, in at least one
instance. quite stultifyinG.
The Jones Merchant Marine Act of 1920
was the first congressional recognition Of
the recovered maritime prestige of the
Nation, but its system Of discriminatory and
preferential duties regarding goods carried
In American ships conflictcd with treaty en-
gagements with more than n score of ma.
tions.
Mr.. Wilson declined to authorize such n
wholesale disregard Of solemn international
covenants. Mr.. Harding has gone u step
further. His plan is comprehensive and
constructive. and in these respects IT Is one
ne yhn ,nct at he, nf ho
Administration.
encouragement of the American merchant
marine Is to be provided through the crea-
ton Of loan fund. to be administered by
the Shipping Board and to be derived from
q diversion Of 10 per cent Of the national
customs receipts.
1t is estimated that this would amount
to financial aid Of $40 100000 annually,
the money to be repaid eventually by ship
ping companies realizing more than a 10
per cent profit on their investments. Fur.
ther support is suggested in scheme for
carrying at least so per cent of immigrants
to this country in American ships.
The details Of the proposals. already en-
bodied in bills introduced in both houses of
Congress yesterday. are necessarily intri-
cate. 1t is safe to assume that they repre-
sent the patient and exhaustive study of
experts.
But the general principles involved are
transcendently clear. Shipping has long
been the Cinderella Of the American eco
nomic household. The pending legislation
promises justice and well warranted sup.
port. 1t is not in the slightest degree an
undue concession to special interests.
Commerce on the seas declares Mr..
Harding, 'is quite as vital to the great
interior as IL is 70 our coast territory,
East. South or West. Shipping is no more
a sectional interest than is agriculture or
manufacturing. No one of them can be
prosperous alone There is not" he
adds, "a record in all history OF long
maintained cminencc in export trade except
as the exporting nations developed their
own carrying capacity
There Is common sense and keen historical
consciousness in this verdict The new bills
promise intelligent, practical mid to an OBJ
vious factor Of national greatness. They
open the way for return to the system of
private ownership of vessels and for n
marked simplifcation Of the now complex
and burdensome responsibilities of the Ship
! ping Board.
| It is impossible 10 p-ophesy that com
! pletc success will attend every phase Of the
| venture. But unquestionably the exper-
| ment is the most seriously fashioned and
! the best intentioned effort TO safeguard
| American maritime opportunities that has
been offered in more than n generation.
! II is deserving OF public support and Of
the expenditure Of prompt political en-
crgies.
SHORT SKIRTS AND TRADE