BANQUET. 249 
and we shall have a friend. Think of our officers and men of the Navy of the United States, 
patrolling their lonely beat up and down the Yangtze River, sometimes protecting property, 
but always safeguarding the interests of American men and women. All the time, all the 
world over, the Navy is engaging in some work of humanitarian benefit to the world. And 
always, too, inspiring sound confidence in the United States, and that confidence will last 
us so long as we give good reason for it, principally in our policy of defending humanity. 
Sometimes it will be continued and strengthened by our actions when we may be required 
to defend ourselves, and if we keep and maintain our Navy and at the same time fail to 
build up our merchant marine, you know, as well as I, that half our strength is gone. There 
is no use for any complicated ships of war lying in the harbor, for you cannot send them 
out, because you have not the auxiliary equipment in the form of additional ships to enable 
you to send them out. (Loud applause. ) 
I spoke to the President this morning, as I told you, and he asked me to give you 
words of greeting, and say that Congress would be assembled in special session about the 
20th of November, and he earnestly hoped that the Merchant Marine Bill would then be 
passed. 
He asked me to read you a letter, another letter of greeting and of confidence, and of 
earnest hope that runs parallel with yours and with mine. The letter is as follows: 
“My dear Secretary Denby: 
“T learned through Colonel E. A. Simmons, president of the American Marine Asso- 
ciation, that you are to address the banquet of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine 
Engineers, in New York, on November 9th. 
“Tt was with much regret that I was obliged to decline an invitation to be present at 
that time; and I am now writing to ask you to express to the gathered meeting my hearty 
interest in the work of this organization and my conviction that it represents the most useful 
contribution to the development of the American maritime interests. 
“T am sure that I do not have to add much to what I have said on other occasions con- 
cerning my profound interest in, and concern for, the future of the American merchant 
marine; its development and continued usefulness will not fail to constitute a large contri- 
bution towards the broadest material prosperity and the truest security of our country. 
“Tt is always a satisfaction to acknowledge the debt which is owing to such voluntary 
organizations as the American Merchant Marine Association, for their efforts in behalf of 
this great cause. 
“Most sincerely yours, 
WARREN G. HARDING.” 
(Applause. ) 
THE TOASTMASTER :—The formation of the great Emergency Fleet during the war, and 
in that connection the organization of the Emergency Fleet Corporation, was a great accom- 
plishment, but with the signing of the armistice and the ending of the war there was no 
further necessity for such a great number of ships. With the advent of the present ad- 
ministration there was a change in the organization of the Emergency Fleet Corporation. 
Without wishing to criticise what has occurred in the past, I think we can all rejoice 
that apparently, under the present administration, the criterion for appointment is no longer 
that a man shall know nothing about the job which he is to fill, but that he shall know a 
great deal about it. 
