The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-11-22

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, tice suggests that when Congress
fixes these standards. il is talr 10
extend government aid in maintain
ing them until world competition is
brought tc the same high level. or un-
til our shipping lines ars so firm.
established that they face world
competition alone.
Having discussed in detail the
policy and provisions of the pending
bill when previously addressing you,
/ forbear a repetition now. In in
dividual exchanges Of opinion not a
few in House and Senate have ex-
pressed personal sympathy with the
purpose of the bill and then uttered
discouraging doubt about the SEN
timent of their constituencies. 1t
would be most diseouraging if a
measure of such tranScen6ing ma
tional Importance must have its fate
depend on geographical. occupation
al. professional or partisan objec-
tons. Frankly | think 1t loftier
craftsmanship TO support and COM
mend policy designed to affect the
| larger good to the nation than mere
ly To record the too hasty Impressions
of a constituency. Out of the har-
monized aspirations the fully in
formed convictions and the united
efforts of all the people wiz come
the greater republic. Commercial
emineRce on the seas, ample agencies
for the promotion and carrying of
our foreign commerce are of no less
Importance to the people of Mlssis-
sippi and Missouri valleys. the great
northwest and the Rocky mountain
states than 10 the seabGard states
and industrial communities building
inland thousand miles or more. 1t
is common cause with its benefits
commonly shared. when people fail
In the national viewpoint and live in
the confines in community selfish
! ness the sun Of this republic will
have passed its meridian and our
larger aspirations will shrivel in the
approaching twilight.
War Caused Los.
But let US momsntarily put aside
| the aspiring and inspiring viewpoint
The blunt, indisputabie fact Of the
loss of the fifty millions year,
| under government operations. re-
| mains likewise the fast dimini shina
capital account, the enormous war
expenditures. to which we were
forced because we had not fittinsly
| encouraged and builded as our COM
merce expanded In peace Here are
facts to deal with, not fanoies
wrought out of our political and
economic disputes.
! The abolition of the annual loss,
and the best salvage of the capital
account are of concern to all the
| people.
1T is my firm belief that the COM
bined savings of operating losses and
the protection of the capital account
through more advantageous sales Of
! our war built or war seized ships.
because of the favorable policy which
the pending bill will establish, will
more than pay every dollar expended
| in government and for 25 years TO
come.
| ut should be kept in mind that
| the approximate sum OF $5,e0o,0 900
annually paid for the transport OF
| 1t should be kept in mind that to
encourage building it Is not new; It
Is the law already enacted by the ,es-
sentially unanimous vote OF Congress,
1t Is only included in the pending
| bill in order TO amend SO as to as
/ sure the exaction of minimum in
terest rate by the government,
whereas the existing law leaves the
| grant of building loans subject to
/ any within OF favoritism.
| Limitations Imposed
/ TT should be kept in mind that
| there are assured limitations OF the
government direct proposed. The di-
rect aid with ocean carrying main
tanned at our present participation
will not reach $4,000, 600 a year and
the maximum direct aid, II our ship
ping is SO promoted that we carry
| one-ha1f our deep seas commerce, will
not exceed S3e,006.0ee annually At
the very maximum OF outlay we
should be saving s2o,0oo,0oo of our
present annual operating loss. II the
| maximum Is overrsached the es-
tablishment OF our merchant marine
will have been definitely recorded
and the government owned fleet for
tunately hquidated.
From this point OF view II is the
simple incontestable wisdom of bust
ness like dealing to save all that 10
/ possible of the annual loss and avoid
the millions sure to be lost to the
| governments capital in sacrificing
our fleet. But there is bigger.
br oader, more inspiring viewpoint,
aye a patriotic viewpoint. / refer
to the constructive action. of today
which offers tho only dependable
promise OF making our war time in
heritance of ships the foundation Of
great agency of commerce In peace
and an added guaranty of service
! which IL necessary to our national
| defense.
Thus far I have been urging gov
eminent aid to American shipping
having in mind every interest of our
| producing population whether OF
| mine. factory or farm, because ex-
| panding commerce Is the foremost
thought of every nation in the world
| today.
| Other Industries Aided
+, IT believe in government aid be-
cofnIngly bestowed. We have aided
| industry through our tariffs;
we have aided railway transporta-
ton In land grants and loans; we
have aided the construction OF mar
| ket roads and the Improvement of
| inland waterways; we have aided