Evening star., 1922-02-28
Admits Ship Board
Experiment Has
Been Failure.
WOULD ALLOT PART
OF DUTIES TO FUND
Bills Authorize Induction
of Merchant Officers
In Naval Reserve.

The administration plan Tor gov
ernment aid for the American mer-
chant marine was presented to Con-
gress today by President Harding
with the declaration that the inhu-
once of the United States In world
councils is "sure to be measured oy
that unfailing standard which is
found in a nations merchant marine.
The President detailed to the two
houses assembled in joint session the
wartime creation Of Americas great
tonnage-an experimental venture
as he described it-and then he
added:
Admits Scheme Failed.
Having failed at such enormous
cost, bring you the proposal which
contemplates the return to private
initiative and private enterprise. aided
to a conservative success, wherein
we are safeguarded against the pro-
motion of private greed, and do not
discourage the hope Of profitable in
vestment, which underlies all sue
cessful endeavor.
The salient points Of this proposal
embodied in bills introduced in each
HOUSE lInheQldtely dAICA INV = @SSA
dents address follow:
Aid estimated at $32.ooe.00o an
-nually, to be provided for principaily
BY diversion of 10 per cent OF the
nations customs receipts;
Requirement that not more than oo
ner cent of the immigrants to the
United States be transported In Tor
eign ships:
Would Sell Marine. =,
Sale of the tonnage now held by
the Shipping Board and use Of the
funds as a construction loan fund.
Authorization for induction Of
American merchantmen officers and
sailors into the naval reserve with
the attendant allowance in pay.
The President then detailed a num-
Der Of indirect aids, mentioning In this
Amendment of the interstate COM
merce act to permit railway systems Tens
= engaged in sother than coastwise
nrade: ~.,....5 :.
Emphasizes Uhitea states Hesd-ss,s
making effective the section Of the
Merchant marine act providing for
preferential rail and steamship rates
on through shipments on American
vessels.
Insurance available at no SfeAtes
cost than is afforded ships under for
eign f1ags.
Mr.. Harding emphasized the impor-
tance of national merchant marine
"in view of suspended naval construc-
tion." declaring that without 1t no
nation may hope to hold q high place
in the world of commerce or be as
sured of adequate defense.
Discontinuance SO far as practicable
of the separate transport services In the
al accommodated
by the executive, who in this connection
said the merchant and passenger ships
under the American dag should be
made agents of service in peace as
well as war.
Galleries Not Full.
Whether because Of the subject or
lack Of notice as to the definite time
thirds filled. The diplomatic gallery
Secretaries DENLY and Davis. At
torney General Daugherty and Postmas-
ter General Hays were among the caol-
net officers present.
Before the President arrived the
audience rose and applauded when
Mrs Harding. accompanied by Mrs:
Coolidge. Mrs. Alice Longworth and
Brig. Gen. Sawyer, entered the sxecu-
tive gallery. Mrs. Harding smilingly
acknowledged the greetings.
Began Address at 1888.
The President began his address at
1898 o'clock The first applause
came after he had been speaking ff-
teen minutes. when he declared that
America had the aspiration and de-
termination to establish a merchant
marine commensurate with our COM
mercial Importance"
There was scattered applause when
the President CONNIE ended the Great
T.akes-St. Lawrence waterway. Ap-
pIause was general when the exec
utive said government officials should
travel OH American ships. Brief ap-
nlause also followed statements that
American railways should not FUR
fher foreign shipping interests and
should be allowed to operate in other
than coaStwise traffic.