354 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



to supply it, there is substantial agreement that it should be supplied by 

 the community itself, acting through its constituted authorities. I am 

 not attempting to state this with scientific accuracy, or in the phrase of 

 the political economists. I am only endeavoring to state what I believe 

 to be the plain opinion of the plain people. They have acted on this 

 principle repeatedly, and in many localities. To take two conspicuous 

 illustrations : It brought about the construction of many miles of mu- 

 nicipally built and municipally owned subways, and it has created 

 harbor improvements whose cost run into the tens of millions. Cities 

 went into these enterprises, either alone or in association with private 

 capital to which preferential terms were given, Imowing that the direct 

 return upon the investment would not be adequate for a period of years, 

 if ever, but knowing also that they were essential to the health, comfort 

 and development of the community; that they must be provided; and 

 that they could not be provided in any other way. I maintain that the 

 entry of the federal government into ocean transportation is justified 

 on exactly similar grounds. 

 Let me review the facts : 



Fact One. — We have (practically speaking) no vessels in which to send out 

 our 2,500 millions of exports, or bring in our nearly 2,000 millions of imports. 

 Because of this fact, we are (1) destroying the efficiency in war of our navy, 

 (2) fattening the rest of the world by an annual payment of $200,000,000 or 

 more, (3) hampering our manufacturers and exporters by compelling them to 

 ship through their competitors, and (4) running the risk of an utter paralyza- 

 tion of our foreign trade by a war to which we are no party. 



Fact Tivo. — Under existing conditions it is capable of mathematical demon- 

 stration that private capital can not and will not supply such vessels. 



Fact Three. — These conditions can not be materially changed without such 

 radical and fundamental changes in our policies as could only be brought about 

 — if at all — through an educational propaganda continued over a period of years. 



Fact Four. — The federal government can fill the void at a direct cost which 

 can not be more than a very minute fraction of the indirect benefit. 



Believing in the absolute truth of these facts, I am strongly in 

 favor of trying the experiment. I believe that the lines established by 

 the government will greatly aid our exporters, and thereby simplify the 

 problems of our bankers; that their operation will develop trade to a 

 point where, within a few years, it will be possible for private capital 

 to take some of them over; that the facts learned, and the experience 

 gained, will pave the way for such changes in the laws as will permit 

 private capital to enter the field ; and that thus there will come about, 

 under governmental initiative, that general revival of the American 

 merchant marine about which we have all been dreaming for a genera- 

 tion, but hitherto failing to translate our dreams into action. 



