Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-06
THE CONGRESSIONAL ISSUE

is simple choice the Republican party
cratic party After all said people going
eide whether they wish retain the Republicans
their whether they wish to recall the Democrats
power doing revive the policies practices which
that party responsible while in control In order that
the people make their choice ntegenty and with their
open only that the Democratic method of handling public
affairs be reviewed from time to time The pubcs
short especially in these times when things of
portance transpire rapidly
One Of the performances by which the Democratic partys
ability handle public affairs be Judged is
connection with the Shipping board Congressman Graham
Illinois, has reviewed in very form the record of the Will
regime in this respect Mr. Graham forth that in 1916
part of the machinery for stimulating the merchant marine
by Congress- the Shipping board created After the
declaration of Congress- by the urgent deficiency act of 1917
powers upon the President requson and build
ships This power by executive July 1917 the
President delegated to the Emergency Fleet Corporation.
Thereafter occurred the monstrous expenditures of
shipping program says Representative Graham hey
$33O6OOOO0O made with anyone and
with everyone who said he could build ship irrespective price
quality There uniform plan for these ships adopted.
No thought given to what the ship might be after
the There cancellation clauses the contracts
that if the ended the work might be stopped.
Five hundred and eighty wooden ships built
approximately $350O00O0 which absolutely worthless
ships costing S27000000 equally worth
ships built delivered but of these only 45O
delivered before the armsce while all the rest about
1888 delivered after the and further
siy them had disappeared Because the had
cancellation clause and because of the nssen of the
fevershy only in 1919 but until the present adj
minsation into AS late 1920 there Alb
ships constructed and delivered the and the
shameful part of this that of these 81 wooden ships,
conceded by everyone to be worthless.
When the present administration March 1872
tried take stock 1t finds about 100000 tons of steel
ships which saabe for approximately S150000000 and
other of $l90OOO0OO 1t finds claims pending
against the government 1923 2S85 which allowed in full
about wipe all and leave nothing
show $4,000 100000 Of the peoples money expended
ITO show the rank mcOmpeency of the preceding admins
has been found that mortgages and other liens
ing for had not been recorded and the
Liens for millions which should have been taken
Vast for repairs and recondoning charged
against the corporation for things which the slightest might
prevented ships had been sold without of deposit
letter of security contracts uncancab for materials
found To Illustrate contract to take 4OO0O000 barrels
of fuel oil year The board involved in 80 which
in the hands Of receivers Three thousand five hundred lawsuits
civil pending and $62 3935 of claims the
claims business which losing $4000000
month
Nov have this wreck to salvage For so the
tingent liabilities of this experiment will haunt We have not
only spent three and onethd billions but must conve
method of subsidy keep what ships have the
this last attempt something constructive out of this
business meeting the almost undivided oppos
tion of the Democratic minority in the Congress-"