Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-12-01
HARDING DELIVERS
SUBSIDY MESSAGE
President Presents Plea to Both
Houses in Person.
TRADE FLEET is NECESSARY
Executive Before the SoIons in Plea
for Help for the United States
Merchant Marine-Speciai Ses-
sion Hears Message.

Washington, Nov. 22.-Enactment of
the administration merchant marine
bill was urged upon congress by Presi-
ident Harding as necessary to relieve
the government of present staggering
Aosses" in operation of the war-built
merchant fleet, and to establish pro-
gram of assured shipping to serve the
nation In war and give a guaranty of
commercial independence in time of
peace
Personally addressing a joint ses-
sion of the house and senate, the ex
ecutive declared an actual monetary
ESaylng to the government would re.
suit from the proposed law. He chal-
1enged every insinuation of favored
interests and the enrichment of the
special few at the expense of the pub
lie treasury. The legislation, he as
serted, automatically guarded against
enrichment or perpetual bestowal.
The President said in part:
Presidents Address.
Members of the Congress: Late
hast February I reported to you rela-
tive to the American merchant marine,
and recommended legislation which
the executive branch of the govern
ment deemed essential to promote our
merchant marine and with 1t our
national welfare.
other problems were pressing and
other questions pending, and for one
reason or another, which need not be
feclted, the suggested legislation has
not progressed beyond favorable rec
ommendation by the house committee.
The committee has given the question
full and painstaking inquiry and
study, and | hope that It's favorable
report speedily will be given the force
OF law.
Would Clear Atmosphere.
ut will be helpful In clearing the
atmosphere If we start with the frank
recognition of divided opinion and de-
termined opposition. 1t Is no new ex-
perience. Like proposals have divided
the congress on various previous Occa.
slons. Perhaps a more resolute hos
tility never was manifest before, and
/ am very sure the need for decisive
actiOn-decisive, favorable action
never was so urgent before.
I'VE are not now dealing with q
policy founded on theory; we have a
problem which is grim actuaIity. We
are facing insistent conditions. out of
which will come either additional and
staggering government losses and ma
tiOnal impotence on the seas, or else
the unfurling of the flag on a great
american merchant marine common
surate with our commercial impor-
lance, to serve us as carrier of our
cargOes In peace and meet the neces-
stiles of our defense In war.
Spent Three Billions.
There Is no thought here and now
to magnify the relation of q merchant
marine to our national defense. II is
enough to recall that we entered the
World war almost wholly dependent on
orr allies for transportation by sea.
We expended approximately three BILL
lions, feverishly, extravagantly. waste
fully and impractically. Out of our
eagerness to make Up for the omis-
siOns of peace and TO meet the war
emergency we builded and otherwise
acquired the best merchant fleet, which
the government owns today.
''In the simplest way I can say It,
cur immediate problem is not to build
and support merchant shipping.
which I hold to be one of the highest
and most worthy aspirations of any
great people. Our problem Is to deal
with what we now possess. Our prob
lem is to relieve the public treasury
of the drain 1t already Is meeting.
Offers Three Solutions.
"Three courses OF action are Dos
sibie and the choice among them is
no longer TO be avoided.
''The first Is constructive. Enact
the pending bill under which firmly
believe an American merchant marine.
privately operated. but serving all the
people and always available to the
government In any emergency, may
he established and maintained.
'sThe second IL obstructive. Con.
tinue, government operations and at.
tending government losses and dis.
courage private enterprise by govern.
ment competition. under which, losses
lare met by the public treasury and
witness the continued losses and de.
terioration until the colossal failure
ends in sheer exhaustion.
.The third is destruction. IT involves
/, the sacrifice of our shins abroad or the
scrapping of them at home, the sur
render of our aspirations.
Answer Is Apparent.
.vhen the question is asked. WHY
tho insistence for the merchant mn.
rine act now? the answer is apparent
at would seem TO me doubly hu
milietins when we own tie. ships and
fail in the genius and capacity to turn
their prows toward the marls of the
world.
..This problem cannot longer be ig
nored. Its attempted solution canno
aonger be postponed. The future o.
.tFill hx, ~