The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-03-01

lHt ftSluEnl duuTeSS TO IOn-
gress yesterday follows:
When addressing the Congress
last December / reported to you
the failure of the executive to
carry cut the intent of certain fea-
lures Of the merchant marine act
of 1920. notably the prov sion for
the notice OF cancellation of all
commercial treaties which him
iered ogr grant of discriminating
duties on imports brought to our
fN"r"s in American ships. There
was no doubt about the high pur-
pose "f Congress to apply this
proven practice to the upbuilding
of our merchant marine. 1t had
proven most effective in the earlier
days OF American shipping; it had.
at various tisles. demonstrated its
effectiveness in the upbuilding OF
commercial shipping for other ma
tionS.
The success OF the earlier praC-
tiCc for this republic came at n
time when we had few treaties.
when our commerce was little de-
v"loUed. Its SUperscdure ny reel.
proCity in shipping regulations,
and the adoption of other methods
of uph"ldinG merchant marines.
though various forms of govern
mCnt aid. ard the century of ne
gotiation of commercial treaties,
all combined to develop situation
which should lead to endless en-
barraSSment IL we denounced our
treaties. We should not only be
quite alone in supporting a policy
long since superseded through the
growing intimacy of international
relationships. hut we should invite
the disturbance of those cordial
commercial relations which are tue
first requisite to the expansion OF
our commerce abroad.
Based on Intent.
Contemplating the readiness of
Congress to grant a decreased duty
on imports brought TO our shores
in American bottoms. and facing
the embarrassments incident TO re-
adjustment of all treaty arrange
ments. it seemed desirable TO find a
way of applying suitable aid to our
shipping. which the Congress
clearly intsaded. and at the same
time avoid the embarrassment of
our trade relationship abroad.
The recommendation of today
is hased wholly on this com
mendable intent of Congress. The
proposed aid of the government to
its merchant marine is to have it,
chief source in the duties collected
on imports. Instead of applying
the discriminating duty to the Sic
cific cargo. and thus encouraging
only the inbound Shipment. pro-
pose that we shall collect all i'm
port duties. without discrimina-
ton as between American anu for
eign bottoms. and atrlr the here
tofore proposed reductions to ere
ate a fund for the governments
aid to our merchant marin. Ry
such n program we shall enc ,uraGe
not alone the carrying Of inbound
cargoes subject to our tariffs. but
we shall strengthen American
ships in the carrying of that great
er inbound tonnage on which no
duties are levied. and, more i'm
portaGt than these. we shall eJIip
our merchant marine to serve cur
outbound commerce. which IL the
measure OF our eminence IN foreign
trade.
Cites Import Figures.
1t is interesting to note. in con-
rection with the heretofore Pro-
posed plan of discriminating
tariffs on imports carried to our
shores in American bottoms, that
the total value OF all dutiable
imports for 1920, in all vessels. was
s1,sS5. S65. 900, while the carGoes ad-
mitted free OF duty, on whica no
was possible, were
valued at $3.iI5,95S.O0O. The actual
tonnage comparison IS even more
from the viewpoint 4
cargo carrying. because tne dutiable