XXxiv INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS. 
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
GENTLEMEN :—As you will have already observed the papers to be read and 
discussed at this Nineteenth Meeting of The Society of Naval Architects and Marine 
Engineers are unusually numerous and unusually interesting. So much so that the 
two daysallotted to our Meeting will be all too brief for the consideration deserved. 
You will therefore be pleased by my prevailing thought at this moment that 
brevity is the soul of discourse as well as of wit. 
You will note on reading the report of the Acting Secretary-Treasurer that the 
condition of the Society is quite satisfactory. 
I desire again to call your attention to the advantages of life membership, 
additions to which strengthens our finances. 
Concerning the one subject that probably is nearer to us as Naval Architects 
and Marine Engineers than any other—that of the American merchant marine—I 
have but little to say. We seem to be no nearer the establishment of such service 
between this and foreign countries than we were a year ago, and we will be no 
nearer so long as the friends of such enterprise have so many remedies for the situ- 
ation. I still believe that some time the many views now held by those who would 
advance the prospects of our Merchant Marine, will be modified in such a way that 
finally there will be a concentration on one idea, so supported by public opinion 
that the desired result will be attained. 
There have been published various reports of exceeding activity on our ship- 
yards which to the ordinary reader would indicate that there is no need of any legis- 
lation assisting the promotion of the merchant marine. Inquiries were made of all 
of the large shipyards on the Great Lakes and Atlantic Seaboard and without taking 
into account the inland river steamers, tugs, and barges, there were found to be in the 
twelve main shipyards of the Lakesand Atlantic thirty-three (33) vessels for the United 
States Government, having a displacement of one hundred and sixty-seven thousand 
two hundred (167,200) tons, and five (5) for other Governments having a displace- 
ment of about sixty thousand two hundred (60,200) tons; and for coastwise mer- 
chant freight service thirteen (13) steamers having an approximate displacement of 
eighty thousand (80,000) tons. Excepting through interviews with those in au- 
thority published from time to time I do not know what the future policy of the 
Government as to the Navy may be, but if that support be taken from our ship- 
yards, the figures given before show a very moderate amount of work indeed for so 
many plants valuable in the funds expended therein and in the great ability of their 
designers and executive forces. Advocate as I am of a supreme Navy I still more 
advocate the need of a large and important merchant marine. 
I note with pleasure in the replies made to the inquiries before mentioned the 
hopeful spirit which prevails as to the future and I quote from one with emphasis: 
“it is time that some action should be taken on the part of the United States Govern- 
