New-York tribune., 1922-11-22

ships Unuer our nag called &c tho
executive Offices Go discuss q permit
to transfer his feet Of cargo vessels
60 a foreign flag. though he meant
to continue them In a distinctly
American service. He based his re-
quest for transfer on the allegation
that by such transfer he could re-
duee his labor cost alone sufficiently
to provide a profit on capital in
vested. do not vouch for tho ac-
euracy OF the statement nor mean
to discuss ii.
Attacks Laws Pertaining
To American Ship Labor
The allusion is made to recall thai
In good conscience Congress has
created by law conditions surround
ing labor on American ships which
shipping men the world over declare
result in higher costs Of operation
under our flag. | frankly rejoice If
higher standards for labor on Ameri-
can ships have been established.
Merest justice suggests that when
Congress fixes these standards 1t is
fair to extend government aid In
maintaining them until world COM
petition is brought to the Same high
level. or until our shipping lines are
so firmly established that they can
face world competition alone.
Having discussed in detail the
policy and provisions of the pending
bill when previously addressing you
l forbear repetition now. In in
dividual exchanges Of opinion not a
few in House or Senate have ex-
pressed personal sympathy with the
purposes OF the bill and then uttered
a discouraging doubt about the senti-
ment Of their constituencies. It
would he most discouraging IL
measure Of such transcending ma
tional Importance must have its fate
depend on geographical, occupational,
professional or partisan objections.
Harmony, Not Party Lines,
Is Need in Congress New
Frankly, think it loftier states
manship to support and commend
policy designed to effect the larger
good to the nation than merely to
record the too hasty Impressions OF
@ constituency. Out Of the harmo-
nized aspirations, the fully informed
convictions and the united efforts of
all the people will come the greater
republic.
Commercial eminencc on the seas,
ample agencies for the promotion
and carrying Of our foreign com
nlerce are Of no less Importance to
the people of Mississippi and the
Missouri Valley, the great Northwest
and the Rocky Mountain states than
to the seaboard states and industrial
communities building inland thou
sand miles or more. 1t is a common
cause, with its benefits commonly
shared.
When people fail in the national
viewpoint and live in the confines Of
community scifishness or narrow
ness, the sun of this Republic will
have passed It's meridian and our
larger aspirations will shrivel In the
approaching twilight.
But let US momentarily put aside
the aspiring and inspiring viewpoint.
The blunt, indisputable fact of the
loss Of fifty millions year under
government operation remains; like
wise the fast diminishing capital ac-
count, the enormous war expenditure,
to which we were forced because we
had not fittlngly encouraged and
builded as our commerce expanded in
peace. Here are facts TO deal with,
not fancies wrought cut OF our po-
litical and economic disputes. The
abolition Of tho annual loss and the
best salvage OF the capital account
are of concern to all the people.
VIII De Repaid In Time
Is is my Arm belief chat the COM
bined savings Of operating losses and
the protection Of &he capital account
through more advantageous sales Of
our war-huilt OK war-ssissd ships,
because Of the favorable policy
which che pending bin will esteb
lish, will more than pay every dollar
expended in government aid 3or
twenty-five yeans to come.
It should be kept in mind that ths
approximate sum Of Eve millions an
nually paid for the transport Of
ocean mails is no new expenditure.
1t should be kept in mind that che
loan fund to encourage building is
not new; It is the law already, en-
acted by the essentially unanimous
vote Of Congress. It is only included
in the pending bill in order to amen&
so as to assure the exaction o2 g
minimum interest rate by the gov
ernment, whereas the existing law
leaves the grant Of building loans
subject to any whim Of favoritism.
IL should be kept in mind, also,
that there arc assured limitations o2
the government aid proposed. The
direct aid, with ocean carrying main
tanned at our present participation,
will not reach twenty millions a