The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-19


the supremacy Of Great Britain on the
seas which she Is supposed to rule.
II may be logically argued BY the
progressive thinkers Of the community
that Government ownership and opera
ton Of a merchant marine Is the method.
most in line with modern thought and
modern economic and political develop
ment.
It may also be argued with equal
logic by conservatives that the ship sub
sidy method Of developing "a American
merchant marine Il the surest, because
it is the method employed BY the M
lions which actually possess the
greatest merchant marines, such q Eng
land and Japan.
The question, however, II not 20 much
a theoretical ono q It is . practical
one, and resolves itself into the plain
proposition a. TO which Of the three
methods can be employed most immedi-
ately and most effectively.
The present Republican National Ad-
ministration-the only power to which
the people can look for help In this
emergency-has pronounced in favor Of
the ship subsidy - the best means Of
creating the required American mer-
chant marine.
The Hearst papers have never been
in favor Of ship subsidy, but they will
support the proposal Of President Hard
ing on the purely patriotic grounds that
1t is better to have merchant marine
created by q ship subsidy than not to
have q merchant marine at all. And
obviously there is no immediate pros
pect of securing q merchant marine by
any other means.
Moreover, with q merchant marine
once thoroughly established and eff
GENTLY operated, there will be no reason
why some progressive Administration
in the future may not take over this
established merchant marine and oper-
ate it under Government ownership
il the people of the United States at
that time shall feel convinced that Gov
eminent ownership il tho best method
of operating merchant marine in the
interests of the whole nation.
The Hearst papers call upon their
readers, Of whatever political faith, to
support President Harding in his pa
triotic demand for an American mer-
chant marine, and not to deliberate too
long or to debate too much over the par
ticular method by which this merchant
marine is to be secured.
Preferential duties can always be
added to our policy at later date If
desirable.
Ultimate Government ownership, as
stated above, can be looked forward to
by those who are committed to that
method.
But the immediate opportunity under
the present Administration is 4 merchant
marine through ship subsidy.
And the requirement Of merchant
marine is so immediate, the necessity
so pressing, that the quickest way is the
best way in the opinion Of these news
papers.
There is, moreover, much to be said in
illustration of the demonstrated success
of ship subsidies in developing the Brit
ish merchant marine.
And there is likewise much to be said
by argument derived from proved prac-
tice and experience in encouraging the
railroads to develop their carving facil-
tiles by steamship lines operated in con-
nsction with the railroads.
This much has been demonstrated by
the British Empire in connection with
the Canadian Pacific Railway, and these
newspapers advise the people Of the
United States and the Government Of
the United States to put into imme-
date practice in the creation Of mer-