Arizona republican., 1922-03-01

larger reimbursement to high speed
vessels, and the enlargement of the
merchant marine to a capacity with
our commerce the total outlay may
reach the limits of thirty millions,
but it is confidently believed that the
scale may in due time thereafter be
turned, until the largest reimburse
ments are restored to the treasury.
Even if we accept the extreme pos
sibility that no return will ever be
made, which is to confess our in
ability to establ sh an American rer-
chant marine--the expenditure would
be vastly preferable to the present
unfortunate situation. with out de-
pendence on our competition for the
delivery of our products.
or the indirect aids there are many
practically all without draft upon the
public treasury, and yet all highly
helpful in promoting American ship
ping.
think we should discontinue. so
far as practical the transport service
in the army and navy and make our
| merchant and passenger ships the
agents of service in peace as well as
war.
Other indirect aids will be found
in the requirement that immigration
shall join wherever it is found to be
practical in aiding the merchant ma
rine of our flag under which cit.Nen-
ship is to be sought and in the estab-
| lishment of the merchant marine
| naval reserve.
A very effective indirect aid will
| be found in the proposed deductions
on incomes. amounting to five per
centum of the freight paid on car
goes carried in American bottoms.
Our existing ships should be sold
| at prices prevailing in the world
market. We constructed at the top
cost OF war when necessity impelled
to meet great emergency. If there
had come no depression a return to
approximate normal cost would have
been inevitable. But the great slump
in shipping has sent tonnage prices
| to the other extreme. One of the
| outstanding barriers to general re-
| adjustment is the tendency to await
more favorable price conditions. In
the widest views the nation.Yill profit
by selling now.
The experiment. we have made haS
| learned, to be sure, but the outstand-
| ing lesson in that the government
cannot profitably manage our mer-
chant shipping.
Having failed at such enormous
cost, bring you the proposal which
contemplates the return to individual
initiative and private enterprise
which underlies all successful en-
| deavor.
The merchant marine is universally
recognized as the second line Of nava
defense. 1t is indispensable In the
time Of great national emergency. II
is commendable to upbuild and main.
tain. because II is the highest agency
of peace and amity and bears nC
| threat and incites no suspicion. And
| yet IL Is a supreme assurance. with.
out which we should be unmindful o.
our safety and unheeding OF our neet
to continued growth and maintained
/ influence.
! l am thinking OF the merchant ma.
rine of peace. Commerce Is insepar.
able from progress and attainment
Commerce and its handnlaidens hav,
| wrought the greater intimacy amonl
nations, which calls of understanding
and guarantees OF peace However
| 1ustments are TO promote interna.
tional trade. IL is inevitable that th,
hundred millions here. outstanding II
genius and unrivaled In industry ans
incRlculable in tho resources. mus
be conspicuous in the worlds ex
changes. We cannot hope to coupcti
unless we carry and our concord art
our influence are sure 20 be mea sures
by that unfailinR standard which 4
found In \ nations merchant marine