Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-22

StESt us III NdE anu 10 give Suui -
to our commercial independence IN
peace.
/ know full well the hostility in the
popular mind to the word subsidy.
1t is stressed by the opposition and
associated with special privilege by
those who are unfailing advocates CT
government aid whenever vast number
are directly concerned. Government
aid would be a fairer term than sub
sidy' in defining what we are seeking
to do for our merchant marine, and
the interests are those of all the peo-
pie. ever though the aid goes to the
FEW who serve.
IF government aid is a fair term
and | think it is-to apply to authori-
| cations aggregating 7 5000. 900 to pro
mote good roads for market highways.
it is equally fit to be applied to the
| American market highways on the salt
ed seas. IF government aid is the
proper definition for fifteen to forty
| millions annually expended to improve
and maintain inland waterways in AID
of commerce. it is q proper designation
for a needed assistance to establish
and maintain ocean highways where
there is actual commerce to be carried.
Loss Now $50, 1000, 900
But call it subsidy" since there are
those. who prefer to appeal to mis-
taken prejudice rather than make frank
and logical argument. We might 50
call the annual loss of fifty millions
which we are paying now without pro-
test by those who most abhor, we
might as well call that a subsidy II
so, / am proposing to cut in half, APP
l nroximately, and to the saving thus
49, ,~-l4 - Il !
upon millions Of further savings
through ending losses on capital ac-
count-government capital out Of tbs
public treasury, always. remember
and there would be at least the prom
! Use and the prospect of the permanent
establishment Of the needed merchant
marine.
| challenge every insinuation Of IA
vored interests and the enrichment OF
the special few at the expense of the
| public. treasury. | am, first Of All.
appealing 10 save the treasury. Per
haps the unlimited bestowal Of govern
ment aid might justify the apprehen-
sion of special favoring. but the pend
ing bill. the first ever proposed which
carried such a provision, automatically
guards against enrichment or perpet-
ual bestowal. 1t provides that ship
Q pms it' ~ - - s'N-
must have their actual investment and
/ their operating expenses audited by
the government. that government aid
will only he paid until the shipping en-
terprise earns 10 per cent on actual
capital employed, and Immediately that
when more than 10 per cent earning is
reported, half Of the excess earnings
must be applied to the repayment Of
government aid which has been previ-
- -l,~~-I ry.,., A. r,r.tIjr
earnings are limited to a very reason
able amount if capital is to be risked
and management is to be attracted. Ii
success attends, as we hope il viii
the government outlay is returned. the
inspiration OF opportunity to earn re
mains and American transportation by
sea IL established.
Other Nations as Example
Though differing in details. It is not
more in proportion to their population
and capacity than other great nations
have done in aiding the establishment
of their merchant marines, and it is
timely to recall that we gave them our
commerce to aid in their u%pbuilding
while the American task now is to up
hold and establish in the face of their
most active competition. Indeed. tht
American development will have Il
overcome every tDSi3tlp WHICH HAY "
put in our path. except as interna
tional comfy forbids. Concern abou
our policy is not limited to our OWL
domain, though the interest abroad J!
Of very differing character, l. hope j
is seemfy TO say it because it must b.
said, the maritime nations of the worlt
are in complete accord with the oppo
sition here to the pending measure
They have n perfect right to such al
attitude When We look from thei1
viewpoint we can understand. But
wish to stress the American viewpoint
Ours should be the viewpoint from
which one sees American carriers a
sea, the dependence OF American com
merce. and American vessels for Amer
lean reliance in the event Of war. Som,
of the costly lessons Of war must b.
learned again and again, but our ship
ping lesson III the world war was muci
too costly to be effaced from the mem
Org Of this or future generations.
Not 50 many months ago. the head O.
a company operating . fleet Of ships
under our flag called AT the executive
offices to discuss q permit to transfer
his fleet Of cargo vessels to a foreigl
flag, though he meant to continue then
IN 2 distinctly American service. H.
based his request for transfer on til,
allegation that by such 4 transfer h.
could reduce his labor costs alone sui
ficiently TO provide a profit on capita