The Connecticut labor news., 1923-01-05

might roughly be divided into three divisions ,and in a general way it rep resents the views of those with whom l come in contact.
 Before voicing the first objection tc ship subsidy 1t must generally be ad- mitted that if the law of competition holds true, there are enough boats ir service at the present time to meet the demands of commerce. It ap- pears, however, that these boats are not American-owned and 1t Is the de sire of the present administration to push through this bill which will make 1t worth while for American capital to interest itself in maintain ing an American fleet The mere fact that a subsidy Is found necessary to meet foreign competition which ex- ists without d subsidy is proof evident that our subsidy Is only a premium on ineficiency.
 The Shipping Board experts in a report, state that subsidy in building up a merchant marine for foreign countries has been unimportant. It has only been through the superior skill and technical ability that other nations have maintained the lead, and no gift or reward from our govern ment to our ship owners will take the
 
 hcations Jheld by others who have prospered without a subsidy. In this particular case 1t IS not a matter of fostering or protecting an infant in dustry. It IS a matter of meeting efficiency with efficiency.
 The second opposition Is based on. the fact that the people of this coun- try do not want a ship subsidy. Both in the primaries and in the fall cleo ton adherents of the scheme have been replaced by those in opposition to the measure. The very anxiety shown in forcing through the bill, be- fore the political death of those who favored 1t is evidence that something wishes of the people.
 Hundreds of Millions for Shipping Interests.
 Where rampant paternaHSm holds sway, or under an absolute monarchy, such a raid on the nations treasury might be excused by the explanation that the superior: one had spoken. Subsidy or no subsidy, this is a { democracy and the people have ex- pressed their desires in no uncertain terms. If the bill is passed by the votes of those who will be unhorsed after March, 1923, it is highly evident that, if the majority of the people did not want subsidy, some few did and such an act of favoritism should have no place in our politics. If any merit exists it is lost in the distaste- ful method used in attempting to pass the measure.
 If shipping subsidy should be de- manded by vast majority of the citi- zens of this country the draft of bill should vary greatly from the present form It would detail as carefully the benefits conferred on each citizen as it did on just how the owners of ships would be reimbursed. When any measure reviews in detail just what IS to be done to the recipients ot gov ernment aid, and expresses so vague ly the benefits that the citizen will receive after being taxed for the fos- tering spirit as expressed in this bill, suspicion should immediately be aroused as to the ultimate purpose: The third opposition is recorded against the bills construction.
 The ships to be sold cost the gov ernment three and one-half billion dollars and will be sold for an esti- mated price of one hundred and fifty million dollars. Then for 10 years three hundred million dollars will be spent in subsidies In selling these ships competitive bids will not be accepted and prices will be fixed much lower than replacem values. With money borrowed at four and one-halt per cent the Shipping Board IS to get one hundred and twenty-five millions of dollars to loan at two per cent to ship owners for fitting out and constructing ships.
 Plum Tree Heavy Laden for Favor
 ties.
 Compensation exists until a net op- erating income of 10 per cent per year is made. The excess after that IS even ly divided between the government and owners of boats. It requires but little imagination to know how much the government will get out of the transaction. Another plum is the ex- emotion from taxes on all profits used in building or outhtting ships up to the two-thirds of the total cost, and further exemption of all shipping corporations from income taxes up to five per cent of the total value Of all goods they ship; a complete waiver of all income taxes when the amount of the tax is invested in half the cast of new ship construction.
 Besides giving a complete monopoly of the Philippines trade, 1t IS the Tn tention to abolish army and navy transports and at the public's expense troops and war supplies will be car ried in time of war. The board may give or withhold loans from shipper: at it's own discretion and immediately it becomes huge political machine which is able to exist through th' force of favoritism. Regardless, O court decisions it's rule is absolute No other administrative. body now ha the sweeping powers that this board will possess if this bill is passed
 To those who might argue for shi1 subsidy as an aid in war through,