The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1922-09-07
cess to the venture unless
assurance of ships under our own

cess to the venture unless = <&<s =.
assurance of ships under our own
flag. 80 ~ OPS -, ~ - =
Subsidy Comparable To Tariff.
The world has completely changed
~ consequence of the late war; and,
no nations needs have changed more
tnan Americas. Therefore, the old
arguments that existed against the
necessity of merchant marine, no
longer hold. But unfortunately mil
lions, including the farmer, have not
had time or opportunity to develop
the facts as to the changed condi-
lions and changed needs.
1t is often asked by those who are
living in the shadows of other days,
why the farmer should be REQUIRED
TO contribute to a subsidy for ships,
when the product of the farm re-
mains unsubsidiZed. Such, Of course,
IS Tar from the fact; because. in the
protection given by the tariff, the
FARMER, like the manufacturer and
all OF us, is subsidized, and very
properly, to the extent of our needs.
Subsidy for ships is the identical
thing that tariff protection is to home
production
| AT the hearings held by the Joint
Committee of the Senate and House
IN relation to the proposed subsidy
legislation, Mr.. J. R. Howard, Presi-
dent of the American Farm Bureau
Federation, testified that while his
association was opposed to subsidies
IN principle, and certainly to sub
sides save for a limited period
(Which is the view of the Harding
ADMINISTRATOR, careful study by
experts appointed by the Federation
had led him to testify in behalf of
ana TO urge the enactment of the
legislation proposed for the mer-
chant marine.
merchant marine rates." said Mr.
Howard, ARE just as important as
railroad rates to the farmer. The
farmer may not always realize this
1act, because he is able to visualize
the rail- transportation and does not
frequently come in contact with
ocean traffic. It is a distinct factor.
however, in the price of his COM
modlties, for the surplus of our
crops sold abroad largely sets the
price of those commodities in this
country"
Farmer vitality Concerned.
Mr. Howard averred that % Del
| cent. of our wheat and Sc per cent.
OF our cotton is exported. He figured
closely the cost of subsidizing agri-
cultural cargoes under the Act, and
estimated 1t would amount to an
average of one-fourth of cent a
bushel on wheat and six cents a bale
on cotton. Said Mr.. Howard, 'The
subsidy will be guarantee against
loss from failure to reach markets
regularly and when markets are best.
Marketing is today the farmers chief
problem. The ship subsidy Is our
best insurance for the marketing of
the farmers eXportable surplus"
Whether it be from the standpoint
that the farmer will have surpf uses
which, If their transportation abroad
is not assured, will back up on him
to the destruction of his prices; or
whether ultimately he will have no
surplus and relies on the prosperity
| of the American workers in other
callings, the establishment of a mer-
chant marine has become of prime
! importance:
In the next and concluding article
| of this series I shall undertake to
discuss how the Government pro-
poses to insure the needed sea car.
riage.