Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-22
Harding Pleads for Ship Subsidy
Bill as Special Session Begins

invested. / do not vouch for the accu-
racy of the staement nor mean to dis
cuss it.
Labor Costs Higher
The a~lIusion is made to recall that
in good conditions congress has ere
ated BY law conditions surrounding
labor on American ships which ship
! ping men the world over declare re-
suits in higher costs of operation under
our flag. | frankly rejoice if higher
standards for labor on American ships
have been, established. Merest justice
suggests that when congress fixes
standards, it is fair TO extend govern,
ment aid in maintaining them until
world competition is brought to the
same high level or until our shipping
lines are so firmly established that they
face world competition alone.
Having discussed in detail the policy
and provisions of the pending bill when
previously addressing you. | forbear a
repetition now. In individual ex-
| changes Of opinion not a few in house
and senate have expressed personal
sympathy with the purposes Of the
bin and then uttered a discouraging
doubt about the sentiment of their con-
stituencies. 1t would be most dis
c%ouraging if n measure of such trans
cending national Importance must have
it's fate depend on geographical. occu-
pational, professional or partisan OBJ
| iections. Frankly. | think it loftier
craftsmanship to support and commend
a policy designed to effect the larger
good to the nation than merely to re-
cord the too hasty impressions of a
constituency. Out OF the harmonized
aspirations the fully informed convic-
tons and the united efforts of all the
people will come the greater republic.
Commercial eminence on the seas, am
Dle agencies for the promotion and
carry our foreign m are of
less Importance to the people of the
Mississippi and the Missouri valleys.
the great northwest and the Rocky
mountain states than to the seaboard
states and industrial communities build
ing inland a thousand miles Or more.
II is a common cause. with it's benefits
commonly shared. When people fail
in the national viewpoint and live in
the confines Of community s~elfiShness
or narrowness, the sun Of this republic
will have passed its meridian and our
larger aspirations will shrivel in the
approaching twilight.
Business Side Considered
But let us m%omentarily put aside the
aspiring and ~uninsplring viewpoint.
The blunt. indisputaple fact Of the loss
of $50 600. 900 a year under government
operation remains; likewise the fast
diminishing capital account, the enor-
nous war expenditures TO which we
were forced because We had not fit
ltinglg encouraged and builded as our
commerce expended in peace. Here
are facts to deal with. not fancies
wrought out of our political and eco
monte disputes. The abolition of the
annual loss. and the best salvage of the
capital account are of concern to all
the people.
1t is my firm belief that the com-
bined savings of operating losses and
1.-The protection Of the capital account
through more advantageous sales Of
our war built or war seized ships. be-
cause of the favorable policy which
the pending bill will establish. will more
than pay every dollar expended in gov
eminent aid for % years to come.
1t should be kept in mind that the
approximate sum Of 5000, 900 annu-
ally paid for the transport of ocean
mails is no new expenditure. 1T should
be kept in mind that the loan fund
TO encourage building is not new; it
Is the law already, enacted by the es-
sentially unanimous vote of congress.