Arizona republican., 1922-03-01

miraculously, but we met a pressing
need and performed a great service.
Admits Errors During War
A people indifferent to the vital
necessity of a merchant marine to
the national defense ungrudgingly
expended at five times the cost of
normal construction and appro-
priated billions where millions had
been denied before. We acquired
vast tonnage. Some of 1t, much of
it, is suited to the peace service of
expanded commerce. Some of II,
much of it, may be charged to the
errors and extravagances of war;
time anxiety and haste. The war pro-
gram and that completion Of con-
tracts which followed gave us some-
thing more than $4,000 gross tom
mage, not counting the folly Of the
wood construction at total outlay
of approximately three and one-half
billions of dollars.
We became possessed Of the ves-
sells of a great merchant marine not
all of it practical for use In the
trans-oceanic trades: little of 1t was
built for speed which gives the COW
eted class to outstanding service.
But here was vast tonnage for cargo
service: and the government, in the
Immediately followed the war, sought
the establishment of shipping lines in
every direction calculated to enhance
our foreign trade and further cement
our friendly relations.
The movement lacked in most
cases that inherent essential to sue
cess which is found in individual
initiative. 1t was rather a govern
ment experiment, where lines were
established in high hope and little as
surance, because the public treasury
was to bear the burden. / forebear
the detailed recital. The misad-
venture was so unfortunate that
when the present administration
came into responsibility the loses
were approximately $16,O00,000 a
month, and to the cost of failure was
added the humiliation of ships hbeled
in foreign ports.
In spite Of all the later losses In
operation, however, 1t Is quite be-
yond question that our abundance OF
American tonnage was mainly res
ponsible for our ability to share in
the good fortunes of world trade
during the two years Immediately
following the war. In all probability
the losses we have sustained in our
shipping activities were fully COM
pensated to the American people in
the saving OF ocean freights in that
Today we a.e possessed Of vast tom
mage, largs and very costly expert
ence, and aave the conviction OF fall
ure.
But we have our ships. the second
largest tonnage in the world, and we
have the aspiration, aye. let me say.
the determination TO establish mer.
chant marine commensurate with our
commercial Importance. Our prob
lem is to turn the ships and our ex-
/ periences and aspirations into this
effective development Of an ocean
going shipping service without which
there can be no assurance OF main
tanned commercial eminence. without
which any future conflict at arms
will send us building again. wildly
and extravagantly, when the proper
concern for this necessary agency OF
commerce in peace will be our guar
anty of defense In case that peace is
disturbed.
Hopes FOR Practical Solution
Out OF the story of the making OF
great merchant marines and out OF
our own experiences we ought 20
find the practical solution. Happily
we have come TO know how insep-
arabic are our varied interests. Mo-
i body pretends any longer that ship
! ping is a matter OF concern only 20
the ports involved. Commerce ON The
, seas is quite as vital 20 the great
, interior as il IS to our coast teri
tory, east. south or west shipping is
more sectional interest than IL agrt-
culture or manufacturing.
No one OF them can be prosperous
alone.
we have had a new manifestation
OF this broadened vision in the en-
thusiasm o. the great middle west
!. for the proposed Great Lakes-St
Lawrence waterway, by which u u
: intended 10 connect the Great Lakes
ports with thd marts Of the world
There is far seeing vision In the pro-
posal and this great and commendaels
! enterprise. deserving your fayorabit
: consideration Is fnseparabie from !
great merchant marine
What. then. Is our proolenf !
bring 10 you the suggestions which
: have resulted from q comprehensive
: study which are recommended 10 ms
5 by every member Of the United States
I shipping board. Ii IL a program of al.
! rect and indirect aid 70 shipping <
r be conducted by private enterprise
e II is proposed to apply generally th'
: benefits which II IL designed 90 de-
= rive from discriminating duties x
9 an ships engaged IN foreign com
merce. with sh limitation or re-
Z muneration as viii challenge ever
4 charge or promoting special Interest,"
p at public cos1
u In lieu Of discriminating duties OF
Z imports brought % uN In American
q bottoms Il ID proposed 20 take 10 pe
= cent OK all duties collected on import
u brought 20 us ip American or Ter
4 elgn bottoms and create thnrefrcu
u a merchant marine fund. To ihs
= fund shall be added the tomas
g charges. tAxes ana fees imposed oi
Il vessels entering the ports ~ cont
o mental United States. nigo such sum
i as are payable TO American vessel
4 by the p0sfoffice department Tor Ia
4 transportation by water of forclgi
mails. parcel post excepted.
n Out OF this fund shall BE- paid n
% direct aid in the development an
J. maintenance OF an American mer
is chant marine. The compensate
'e shall be based on one-half of on
&c cent for each gross ton of any veN
n sei. regardless OF speed. for each le
e miles Travelled. When the speed IL J.
le knots or over. but less than IA. two
e tenths OF a cent on each grosa to
q shah be added: for ls knots. three
= tenths OF a cent. for is knots four
y, tenths OF q cent for IS knots. five
4 tenths. for IL knots. Eeven-tenths
- for IS knots, nine tenfha. for
knots, eleven tenthA; for 20 knott
thirteen fenths shall be added 70 III
basic rate. for 2S knots the maximum