The New York herald., 1922-11-22


plete accord with the opposition here
to the pending measure. They nave
a perfect right to such an attitude.
When we look from their viewpoints
we cam understand. But i wish to
stress the American viewpoint. Ours
should be the viewpoint from which
one sees American carriers at sea, the
dependence of American commerce
and American vessels for American
reliance in the event OF war. Some
of the costly lessons of war must be
learned again and again but our ship
ping lesson In the world war was
much too costly to be effaced from
the memory OF this or future genera
tions.
Not so many months ago the head
OF a company operating a feet OF ships
under our flag called at the Executive
Offices TO discuss pei nit to trans
fer his fleet of cargo vessels to q
foreign flag. though he meant to con-
tinue them In a distinctly American
service. He based his request for
transfer on the allegation that by such
transfer he could reduce his labor
cost alone sufficiently to provide a
profit on capital invested. / do not
vouch for the accuracy OF the state
ment nor mean TO discuss 1t. The
allusion Is made TO recall that in good
conscience, Congress has created by
law conditions surrounding labor on
American ships which shipping men
the world over declare result in higher
costs of operation under our flag. ]
frankly rejoice IL higher standards for
labor on American ships have been
established. Mecest ] stice sigsesls
that when Congress fixes these stand
dards, II Is fair TO extend Government
aid in maintaing them until world
competition 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 poll
icy and provisions of the pending bill
when previously addressing you
forbear a repetition now. In individ-
ual exchanges OF opinion not a few
in the House or Senate have expressed
personal SYM athy with the purposes
OF the bill and then uttered dis
couraging doubt about the sentiment
of their constituencies 1t would be
most discouraging If a measure Of
such transcending national importance
must have its fate depend on
geographical, occupational. profess
sional or partisan objections. Frankly
think II loftier craftsmanship to
support and commend policy de-
signed to effect the larger good TO the
nation than merely TO record the too
hasty impressi Dns of constituency.
Out of the harmonized aspirations.
the fully informed convictions and the
united efforts OF all the people will
come the greater republic. CONNER
cial emlnence on the seas, ample
agencies for the promotion and carry
e 1f.r,R ~ rf
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 n thousand 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
selhshness and narroy ness. the SIN of
this Republic win have passed It's
meridian and our larger aspirations
will shriyel In the approaching twi-
light.
But let us momentarily put aside the
aspiring and inspiring viewpoint The
blunt, indisputable fact Of the loss of
fifty millions a year under Government
operation r. mains likewise the fact
OF diminishing capital account. the
enormous war expenditure. to which
we were forced because we had not
fittingly encouraged and builded as
our commerce expanded In peace.
Hare are facts to deal with, not fancies
wrought out Of our political and econ
omic disputes. The abolition of the
annual loss and the best salvage Of the
capital account are OF concern to all
the'people.
II is my firm belief that the combined
savings of operating losses and the
protection OF the capital account
through more advantageous sale of our
war-built or war-seized' ships. because
of the favoring policy which the pend
ing bill will establish, will more than
paw every dollar expended in Govern
ment aid for twenty-five years TO
come.
II should be kept I'm mind that the
approximate sum of Ave millions an
nually paid for the transport OF ocean
mails is no new expenditure. It should
be kept In mind that the loan fund
to encourage building is not new. II
Is the law already. enacted by the
esscr TALLY unanimous vote OF Con-
gress. Ii Is only included in ~the
pending bill in order 20 amend so as
interest rate by the Government.
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 are assured limitations OF the
Government and promised. The direct
aid. with ocean carrying maintained
at our present participation, will not
reach twenty millions year. and the
maximum direct aid, II our shipping
Is so promoted that we carry one-half
our deep seas commerce. will not ex-'
coed thirty millions annually. At the
very maximum Of outlay we should be
saving twenty millions of our present
annual operating loss. n the maxi
mum Is ever reached the establish
ment of our merchant marine will
have been definitely recorded and the
Government-owned fleet fortunately
liquidated.
From this point of view il Is the
simple. incon'estabie wisdom OF busl-
nesslike dealing TO save all that IL pos
sible of the annual loss and avoid the
millions sure to be lost 10 the Govern
nent's capital accovnt In sacrificing
our fleet. But there is bigger.
broader, more inspiring viewpoint,
aye. a patriotic viewpoint refer to
the constructive action OF to-day which
offers the only dependable promise OF
making our wartime inheritance OF
ships the foundation OF great agency
OF commerce In peace and an added
guaranty OF service when II is neces-
sary 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.