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Dt ay Me Per. a Urges United Efforts of All Groups In Support of the Merchant Marine By Robert C. Hill T is a mistake to look upon our mer- chant marine as something not particu- larly necessary for the country’s welfare. Foreign flag ships carry great quantities of American merchandise and will con- tinue to do so for we are only aiming at a reasonable share of the traffic. Senator Jones thinks we should have learned these lessons during the war. There must be no let-up in the fight he so ably helped to lead for wise legis- lation favorable to the continued up- building of an efficient American mer- chant marine. Strengthening of the present legislation is needed. Editor's Note. N THE valhalla of marine men, United States Senator Wesley L. Jones will surely be given a place of honor, though he is not, strictly speaking, one of them. The senator from Washington was born in Bethany, IIl., Oct. 9, 1863. Even his early youth was spent inland. When he did go west he settled down in the central part of Washington, an agricultural territory. In 1917 he moved to Seattle, his first close sea contact. Nevertheless no man in public life has been more con- sistently or more effectively a supporter of the merchant marine. ‘Of what benefit is a balance of trade in our favor,’’ he asks, “if we pay most of it for freight?” He has always recognized the necessity of an American mer- chant marine as a safeguard for our foreign commerce and for national defense. Knowing that his early life had been spent in the in- terior, I was curious to know the reason for his strong friendship for the merchant marine. He explained it thus. “My first interest was aroused many years ago by reading the history of the Revolution and the War of 1812. Ships under our own flag are not only vital to commerce, but particularly so in time of emergency as a national de- fense. England’s supremacy on the high seas always ap- pealed to me as an incentive to build our merchant marine. Coming from inland I have always been convinced that an adequate merchant marine is really of greater moment to the farmers and people of the interior than to those re- siding on the coast. Wasn’t this demonstrated during the World war? If we do not have ships to carry the surplus products of the farm, doesn’t the agricultural population suffer ?’’ One of the three oldest senators in point of service, he has taken a prominent part in shipping legislation since he entered the Senate in 1909. His name will forever be closely identified with the merchant marine act of 1920 and the act of 1928, known as the Jones-White bill. Of the last two laws which he worked for with untiring energy, Senator Jones said: “Tf there are two pieces of legislation that I am proud of having had something to do with, it is these two acts. U. 8. Senator Wesley L. Jones These two measures have gone a long way toward laying the foundation for an adequate American merchant ma- rine. This merchant marine, however, is not yet perma- nently and adequately established. We must not weaken the acts that we have already passed; if anything, they should be strengthened. The lessons learned from our con- dition upon the breaking out of the World war should . not be forgotten and the experience that we passed through should be enough to lead our people to do what- ever may be necessary for the firm establishment of an adequate and permanent merchant marine. I think this is about as vital a necessity as confronts our people. At least 50 per cent of our foreign commerce should be freighted in our own vessels.”’ He is gratified at the aid given American lines by mail subvention, but there is danger ahead and Senator Jones warns friends of the merchant marine that eternal vigi- lance is necessary to hold the ground already gained. He senses a growing sentiment in congress in opposition to government aid for shipping. He sees intense opposition and competition from foreign shipowners who are alarmed at the advances being made by the United States. That opposition through our present program should rear its head within our own ranks, is regarded as a most unfavor- able sign by the veteran senator. “It would be most unfortunate,’’ he said, “‘if we should abandon our present policy toward the merchant marine. We have made a splendid start but we had to begin at the ground and build up. We can well afford to assist private interests in their efforts to develop an adequate commercial fleet. Our merchant marine faces a heroic struggle in meeting the competition of foreign flags with- out having to fight at home. Our ships ought to be placed on a parity with foreign ships. We must not give up.” Senator Jones is completing his fourth successive term in the upper house. As chairman of the powerful com- mittee on commerce, he made the most of his influential position to sponsor much of the merchant marine legisla- tion over the last decade. He is now chairman of the all important appropriations committee. MARINE Review—July, 1931 : 15