Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-16

many other parts of the world would
have been compelled to suspend their
development and expansion for lack
of capital. Had it not been for the
industry and genius of the American
people in the last seven years recov-
cry of the world would have been de-
layed a quarter of a century.
Merchant Marine.
A merchant marine under the Amer
lean flag is an essential to our foreign
trade. 1t is essential to our defense.
There is only one protection of our
commerce from discrimination and COM
binations in rates which would impose
onerous charges upon us in the trans
portation of our goods to foreign mar
ketS--that is a merchant marine under
the control of our citizens. We have
had need to revise our vision upon
overseas transportation during the past
lew years. 1t no longer comprises
large numbers of tramp steamers going
hlther and yon. From the point of view
of our commerce it consists of about IS
important sea routes which are the eX-
tensions to foreign destinations of our
inland trade routes, upon which we
need regular, ferrylike service of large
cargo liner ships. This development
OF large units and repetitive operation
hts with the character of our industrial
development and opens wider hope for
our return to the sea.
We have endeavored for two genera
tons to find methods for restoration
OF. That prestige on the ocean. which
New England at one time gave to u.s.
During late years we have tried Gov
eminent ownership and operation No
one can now claim that Government
operation. gives promise of either eff
ficiency or permanence But by Gov
eminent operation we have maintained
our independence and our defense in
the meantime BY lit we have been
able to pioneer the trade routes and to
nuiid up substantial flow OF goods. Thus
Tar it has been successful but at heavy
cosbs AS these routes have gained in
strength many of them have been dis
posed Of to successful operation hv
private enterprise.
With the legislation passed bv the last
Congress, through which number of
noirect aids are given to the merchant
marine, there is real hope that the
Government viii ultimately be able to
retlre from competition with its own
cltizenS IN the shipping business. hit
l cannot rest until We are sure that
private enterprise can carry the burden
and grow In strength. 1t Is a certainty
mat Government operation will ALWAYS
be unsatisfactory. The government can
not operate cheaply: q it cannot rid
ltSeu or pernicious bureaucracy and
poHtlcS; 1t cannot. avoid the intermin-
able dnhcultieS and wastes which come
from this kind of organization and d.
rect or. indirect political pressures. The
hope OF a. substantial merchant marine
lies ultimately in the new character of
overseas, shipping, in the energy and
initiative of our citizens with assist
ance and cooperation of the Govern
ment. That assistance and cooperation
are now being given and must be con-
tinued.
Sums Up Speech.
Now let me sum up the thought 1
should like to leave with you. I have
talked to you about the tariff. about in
ternational trade, the merchant marine
and other economic forces which may,
at hrst glance, seem far removed from
our daily lives. / have tried to make
the point that these subjects are no
longer remote from any one of you. The
time may have been, as some one once
said. when the tariff was a local issue or
foreign trade and shipping concerned
only the local seaports. 1t is so no
longer. Touch the tariff on textiles and
North Carolina feels the blighting in
fiuence as quickly as Massachusetts, Nor
does 1t stop there. The farmer finds a
diminished market in the lessened de-
mand caused by lower wages. Unsettle
the credit structure and it is not Wall
street that suffers most; it is the little
bank, the little factory, the little farm,
the modest home. A shortage of ship
ping to the Gulf ports at once de-
creases prices to the farmer in Kansas,
for he must take more expensive routes
to foreign markets The old local de-
cisive issues are largely gone. The pres
ent issue is the wellbeing and comfort
and security of the American family
and the American home. On that issue