The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-09-07
Sea Magnates Caught in Fog

ne -illltllNdH Slt.tlA1NtP 0ffAN-
and operators in a recent conferenc
with the shipping board endeavore
to cajole the latter into turning owe
to them the operation OF the America
merchant marine. and the whole floc
of steamship men expatiaied upon tn
impossibility of the government eve
making a success OF operating tn
ships. While the private owners hell
out little hope that they could maxi
the vessels profitable. still they ex
pressed a desire and even an eager
ness to acquire control OF the govern
ment ships The private owners ask
ed the shipping board to finance the
vessels for five years. and their add
tionaI suggestions proposed nothing
that might lift the burden from the
government. These private interests
that would like to have these millions
OF dollars worth Of property turned
over to them stipulated in every in
stance that the government should
continue to hold the bag"
American private ship owners and
operators have from the first thrown
every obstruction possible in the way
OF successful operation OF the govern
ment ships They have not only
fought against public operation, but
they have constantly sought to either
force or coax the government to with
draw its ships from routes that might
interfere with their monopolies. Not
a single business-like offer has been
received by the government for their
ships from any OF these sources. In
stead. it has been constant hunt for
a subsidy" guarantee. and a
chance to crab" all the profits by pri-
vate operation of ships that have been
bought and paid for by the American
taxpayers money The plotters have
received a lot OF comfort from men
like chairman Lasker who declared
publicly that he hated government
ownership"
The principle OF government own
ership has not proved popular. and
Lasker knew this. but just why he
stood ready to bring fresh odium up
on the task of the Government and
add 10 its difficulties in handling
hard proposition. is something good
many people have not been able to
understand For surely the Govern
ment will never solve its problem OF
shipping and build up an American
merchant marine if its highest officials
charged with the responsibility of
bringing order out OF chaos add only
more chaos to the situation.
But it is fortunate that most OF the
shipping board as it now exists have
got the number" of the private own
ers and operators. and can see
through the thin veil OF competitors
who seek only SEX interest. This was
demonstrated when members of the
board told the private owners and op-
orators the other day that the govern
ment was anxiously waiting to be |
shown any fair and sensible way out |
OF the difficulty. but as they had re-
oeived no such suggestions along that |
line that they would proceed to |
strengthen the methods of operation
by the government and wait patiently |
until some private purchaser came
around with bona fide business offer
Thereupon the private ship owners
and operators went home. where they
will doubtless concoct some new get
rich quick scheme" to absorb govern
ment ships without paying out real
money for them.
Pavements of Good Intentions
A growing nation requires increas-
ed appropriations and therefore Con-
gress has been called upon to lay
great burdens OF taxes upon the peo-
pie. Clap-trap politicians are always
busy few months before the legisla-
tive machinery begins TO grind telling
how they are going to cut down" pub
he expenses. But when such an event
actually happens it is because some
,eadsman Ike Secretary Of the Treas
1ry Mellon dares to face the unpop-
thirty Of opposing a measure like the
soldier bonus. Part OF the present
,ost OF Government is S0ODO 600 an
,ually for the relief Of soldiers of the
ate war, and Ss0.ooO.O0O for the Ship
ing Board. Another half billion is
or the reduction OF the public debt.
Right now Congressman with good
ntcnfinns ara taiL.no 49,. IL. -.