New-York tribune., 1922-03-01

where millions had been denied before.
We acquired vast tonnage. Some of 1t,
much CT il. is suited to the peace scrV-
ice Of expanded commerce. Some Of it,
much Of it, may be charged to the
errors and cXtravagauces Of wartime
anxiety and haste The waT program.
and that completion of contracts which
followed because such course seemed
best to those then charged with re
sponsibility, gave MS something more
than l20O0,0 600 gross tonnage, not
counting the folly Of the wood con-
struction. at total outlay Of approNi-
mately $500 00O,O 600.
"We thus became possessed Of the
vehicles Of Il great merchant marine.
Not all of IL was practical for use in
the trans-oceanic trades; little of it
was built for thc speed which gives the
coveted class to outs tandinp service.
But here Wa vast tonnage for cargo
service, and the government in the eN-
ceptional call of commerce which I'M
mediately followed the war sought the
establishment Of shipping lines I'm
every direction calculated to enhance
our foreign trade and further cement
our friendly relations.
"Tho movement lacked In most eases
that Inherent essential to success
which is found i'm individual initiative.
Il was rather a government expert
ment, where lines were established in
nigh hope and little assurance. because
the public treasury WAS to bear the
burden. There was the more s0rges
ton Of private enterprise, lnasmuch as
atIocatI0nS and charters We're made uu~
der which private management WAS to
share in profits and private interests
were PAID 10 make the experiment.
though the government WAS &C. bear all
the losses. | forbcar the detailed re
cltal. The misadventurs was so unfor-
tunate that when the present Admins
,ration came into responsibility the
losses were approximately $}6,O00000
2 month, and to the cost Of failure was
added the humiliation of ships hbeled
IN foreign ports.
Share in World Trade
fIn spite Of all the later losses in
operation however. it is quite beyond
ques' ion that our abundance Of Ameri-
can tonnage was mainly responsibl bic for
our ability TO share in the good for
tune Of world trade during the two
years Immediately following the var
In all probability the losses we have
sustained in our shipping activities
were fully compensated to the Amcri-
freights in that period.
day we are possessed of vast
tonnage, large and very costly expert
cnce, and the conviction OF failure. Il
Is falr 10 say that a mistaken policy
was made more difficult by the un-
paralleled slump In shipping which
came late in 1920 and prevailed
throughout the year so recently closed.
1t was the inevitable reflex Of the re-
adjustments which follow 8 great war.
and there were heavy losses in oper-
ations which had to be met by long
estabiished and heretofore successful
shipping lines, and ships built at top
war costs took the slump in prices
below the normal levels Of peace.
But we have our ships. the secon4
largest TONNAGE in the world, and We
have the aspiration, aye, let ne say,
the determination, 10 establish & mcr~
chant marine commensurate with ou.
commercial Importance.
"Our problem is to turn the ships
and our experience and asplrations
INTO the effective development Of an
ocean n-going shipping service. without
which there can be no assurance Of
maintained commercial emineNce. with
out which any future conflict at arms
VIII send US building again. Wild y and
eNtravagantly, when the proper concern
: tor tins necessary agency OF commerce.
lh peace Will be our guaranty Of de
tense IN case that peace is disturbed.
out OF the story Of the making Of
great merchant marines. and out OF
our own experience, we ought to find
the practical solution. Happily. we are
less provincial than we once were.
happily, We have come to know how i'm
separab are our varied interests.
X % a.
ping is matter OF concern only to
the ports involved. Commerce on the
seas Is quite as vital 10 the great in
terror Is il Is TO our coast territory
East, South or II est. Shipping is no
more sectional interest than is agri-
culture or manufacturing. No one of
them can be prospcre4 alone.
Waterway Plea an Example
we have had Il now manifestation
Of this broadencd vision IN the enthus-
iasn of the great Middle West for
the proposed Great Lakes-St Lawrence
waterway, by which it is intended IT,
connect the Great Lakes ports with
the narts Of the world. There s far
seeing vision in the proposal and this
great and CONNER dable enterprise. de-
serving your favorable consideration.
is mscparabie from great merchant
marine.
"What. then, is cur problem9 !
bring to you the suggestions which
have resulted from comprehensive
study which are recommended to ne
by every member OF the United States
Shipping Board. 1t is q program Of
direct and indirect aid TO shipping to
be conducted by private enterprise. Il
Is proposed to apply generally the ben-
cfils which it was designed TO derive
from discriminating duties to all ships
engaged in foreign commerce, with
such limitation Of remuneration IS will
challenge every charge OF promoting
special interests at public cost.
"In lieu Of discriminating duties on
imports brought to us in American
bottoms It is proposed to take 10 per
cent Of all duties collected on imports
brought to us in American or foreign
bottoms and create therefrom a mer-
chant marine fund. To this fund shall
be added the tonnage charges, taxes
and fees imposed on vessels entering
the ports of continental United States;
also such sums as are payable to
American vessels by the postoffice De
partment far the transportation by
water of foreign mails, parcel posts
Out Of this f7rd ciaN ha maid +to 4;