The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-11-22
PRESIDENT POINTS
OUT MEASURE IN
REALITY ECONOMY
Asserts That Subsidy Means
Putting America at Fore
front "ln Peace Triumph
on Seas of World"
BY Associated Press

BY Associated Press
Washington, November 21.-Pres-
ident Harding in an address today
to joint session Of Congress urged
speedy enactment of the administra-
tion bill, as a means of cutting down
present losses through operation of
government ships and putting Amer
lea at the forefront Sin the peace
triumphs on the seas of the world"
1.-THE very outset of the speech.
the President frankly declared that
those standing with him might as
well recognize that there was "di-
vided opinion.and determined opposi-
ton It would be helpful in clear
ing the atmosphere to start with the
recognition of this fact, he said. add
ing that It was no new experience.
With great emphasis the President
challenged every insinuation" that
the bill was framed for the benefit
of favored interests" or for enrich
pense of the public treasury. He de-
clared that he was appealing 10
save the treasury
Calling attention to the hostility
in the popular mind" to the word
subsidy" stressed. he said by the
opposition, the President asserted that
government aid" would be a fairer
term in defining what he was seek
ing to do for upbuilding of the Amer
lean merchant marine.
Three Courses Open
But call Il subsidy since there
are those who prefer to appeal TO
mistaken prejudice. rather than make
frank and logical arguments" he
said. I'VE might so call the annual
loss of s50,000000 which we are pay
ing now without protest by those
who most abhor. We might as we'll
call that a subsidy if so, 1 am pro-
posing to cut It in half. approx
miately"
Discussing the problem confronting
Congress, the President outlined three
courses of action. The first, he said.
was constructive, which embraced
passage of the bill; second, obstruc-
tive--continued government opera
ton and attending government losses
and third--invoiving the sacrifice
and scrapping OF the merchant fleet.
II have come to urge the consruc-
tive aiternative.yto reassert an Amer
lean we Will. he exclaimed. which
brought the first applause.
Farm Bloc Appinuds
The next applause greeted the
Presidents declaration that he re-
joiced that higher standards for la
Dor on American ships had been es-
tablished and merest justice sug
gested that when Congress fixes
these standards, IL Is fair to extend
government aid in maintaining them
......until our shipping lines are
so firmly established, that they can
face world competition alone"
The farm bloc, including members
on the democratic side. applauded
again when the President said credit
systems under government control
and supervision must be promptly
and safely broadened to relieve the
agricultural classes.
There was a variety of comment
by members. but for the most part
this followed party lines.
Representative Mondell, Wyoming.
the republican leader, said.
II consider the Presidents mes
sage an exceptionally strong and
forceful one. 1 do not recall ever
having heard a case more logically
or convlncingly presented. The Pres
dents arguments in favor of legis-
lation along the lines proposed are
unanswerable."
Bill Is Filed
The view of opponents of the bill
was expressed by Representative
Garrett, Tennessee, democratic leader,
who said:
From the standpoint of those who
favor the bill the President placed
the matter in what | suppose Will
be generally regarded as strong
light. OF course from the standpoint
OF those OF us who are opposed to
the measure. he did not answer the
Fundamental objections"
The shipping bill. over which the
big fight of the session will begin
Thursday, was filed with the House
by Chairman Greene of the merchant
marine committee. few minutes be-
fore the President reached the Cap
itol 1t differed in some respects
from the measure introduced weeks
ago, and was reported without
record vote. Tomorrow the rules
committee is expected to give il
right of way and the program calls
for action on the special resolution
an hour later by the House.
Should the resolution be adopted
as is expected the bill will be taken
I'M by the House Thursday. Thea
on November 20 at 4 o'clock it will
be put to a final vote and passed or
killed.
Text of Message
President Harding's address 70
Congress follows:
Members of the Congress:
Late last February 1 reported 10
YOU relative TO the American mer-
chant marine. and recommended
legislation which the executive