The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-28
Text of Presidents Ship Subsidy Plan

adventure was so unfortunate that when
the present administration came into re
600 a month, and to the cost OF
failure was added the humiliation of ships
Hbelled in foreign ports
Was for Best, Despite Losses.
In spite of all the later losses in opera
ton, however, it is quite beyond question
that our abundance of American tonnage
was mainly responsible for our ability to
share in the good fortunes or world trade
during the two years Immediately follow
ing the war. In all probability the losses
we have sustained in our shipping aetivi-
ties were fully compensated to the Ameri-
can people IN the saving of ocean freights
in that period
large and very costly experience and the
conviction of failure. 1t is fair to say
fieult by the unparalleled slump in ship
ping which came late in 1920 and prevailed
turnout the year so recently closed.
One Reflex of War.
1t was the inevitable reflex of the read
justments which follow a great war and
there were heavy losses in operations
which had to be met by long established'
and ships built at top war costs took the
slump IN prices below the normal levels OF
But we have our ships, the second larg-
est tonnage in the world and we have the
aspiration, aye, let me say, the determin-
menSurate with out commercial importance.
Speaks of Future Wars.
Our PROBLEM is to turn the ships and
our experience and aspiration into the eff
ping service without which there can be
no assurance of maintained commercial
eminence, without which any future con-
flict at arms will send up building again.
wildly and extravagantly, when the proper
concern for this necessary agency of COM
defense in pe case that peace IS disturbed
Out of the story CT the making of great
merchant marines and out of our own ex-
FfraV nsaf1 rnt
luton. Happily we are less provincial
than we once were; happily We have come
to know how inseparable are our varied
interests, nobody pretends any longer that
shipping is a matter of concern only to the
ports involved
shipping Not Sectional Interest.
Commerce on the seas is quite-aS vital to
the great interior as it Is to our coast ter
ritory east, south west. Shipping is no
more a sectional interest than is agricul-
ture or manufacturing. No one of them
can be prospercd alone.
We have had a new manifestation of this
brOadefed vision in the enthusiasm of the
great middle west for the proposed Great
Lakes-St- Lawrence waterway, by which
it is intended to connect the Great Lakes
ports with the marts of the world. There
is far seeing vision in the proposal and
this great and commendable enterprise, de-
serving your favorable consideration, is in
separable from great merchant marine.
Apply Benefits to Fund.
What then is our problem? l bring to
you the suggestions which have resulted
from a. comprehensive study and recon-
mended to me by every member of the
United States shipping board. 1t is a
program of direct and indirect aid to ship
ping to be conducted by private enterprise.
1t is proposed to apply generally tine
benefits which it was designed to derive
from discriminating duties TO all ships
engaged in foreign commerce with such
limitation on remuneration as will chal-
lehge every charge of promoting special
interests at public. cost
in lieu Of discriminating duties on i'm
ports brought to US in American bottoms
it is proposed TO take 10 per cent of all
duties collected on imports brought to us
/ in America or foreign bottoms and create
therefrom merchant marine fund.
To this fund shall be added the tonnage
charges, taxes and fees imposed vessels
entering the ports of continental United
American vessels by the postoffice depart
ment for the transportation by water of
foreign mails, parcels post excepted.
Payment Based Speed.
Oout Of this fund shall be paid the direct
: aid in the development in maintenance of
an American merchant marine. The com
pensatton- shall be based on half of
one cent for each gross ton of any vessel,
regardless of speed, for each 100 miles
Travelled.
When the speed is Is knots or over, but
less than II, two tenths of a cent on each
gross ton shall be added for Ii knots,
three-tenths of a cent: for 10 knots. four
tenths Of a cent; for 16 knots, five tenths :
for II knots, seven-tenths; for is knots,
nine tenths; for 10 knots, eleven-tenths
for 20 knots. thirteen-tenths shall he added
to the basic rate for % knonts The max
gross ton per 100 miles travelled.
(Speech to be complete I'm post
script edition, The State JournaI)