Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-28
HARDING STRESSES
VALUE OF MERCHANT
MARINE TO NATION
indispensable in View of Sus-
pension Of Naval Construc-
ton, He Tells Congress.
ADVOCATES SHIP SUBSIDY
pv A-.oclsted Pre.. 70 r;ver,, r,penlnr

By Associated Press TO Every Evening
washington. Feb, 2ss--The admins
tration plan for government aid FOR
presented 60 Congress today by Presi-
dent Harding with tho declaration that
the influence of the United States 50
world councils is sure TO be measured
by that unfailing standard which is
found IN nations merchant marine. 2
The President detailed to the two
houses. assembled in joint session. the
war time creation OF Americas great
tonnage--sn experimental venture as
he described it--and then he added:
Having failed at such enormous
cost. bring you the proposal which
contemplates the return 70 private
initiative and private enterprise. added
TO a conservative success. wherein we
are safegusrded against the promo
ton of private greed. and do not dis
courage the hope OF profitable invest
ment. which underlies all successful
endeavor."
The salient points OF this propesa!
embodied in bills. introduced In each
House Immediately after the Presi-
ent's address follow:
Aid estimated at s32 900 900 annually
10 be provided for principally by di-
versions of ten per cent OF the nations
customs receipts;
Requirement that not more than 50
per cent OF the immigrants to the
United States be transported in foreign
ships:
Sale of the tonnage now held by
the Shipping Board and Use OF the
funds as a construction loan fund;
Authorization for induction Of Amer
lean merchant men, officers and sail
ors into the naval reserve with the
attendant allowance IN pay
The President then detailed a num-
Der Of aids. mentioning In this con-
nection:
Amendment OF the Interstate Com
merce act to permit railway systems
10 own and operate steamship lines
engaged in other than coastwise
trade;
Making effective this section Of the
merchant marine act providing for
preferential rail and steamship rates
on through shipments on American
vessels:
Insurance available at no greater
cost than Is afforded ships under
foreign flags.
Mr.. Harding emphasized the import
ance of a national merchant marine
"in view of suspended naval con-
struction," declaring that without IT,
no nation may hope, to hold high
place in the world of commerce or be
assured of adequate defense"
''The merchant marine IS universally
recognized as the second line OF naval
defense, he added "It Is Indispensable
in the time Of great national emer-
gency."
Dlscontinuance SO far as practicable
Of the separate transport services in
the army and navy. also was recon-
mended by the executive. who, in this
connection, said the merchant and pas
senger ships under the American flag
should be made agents Of service in
peace as Wen as war"
Mr. Harding. IN recommending the
pan for government aid said he fore
saw the stifsest possible competition
by the fleets of the maritime na-
tons and asserted that more than
the aid Of the government would be
I ecessary.
We need a favoring spirit. an
awakened American pride. and an
avowed American determination that
we shall become in the main. the ear
Tiers of our own commerce. i'm spite Of
alt competition and an discourage
mepts, he continued There can be
no dispute about the end al which We
are aiming