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May, 1910 ward this end. (2) That the incidental commercial advantage to the subsidized companies has not been generally great except at a very early period of the sys- tem. This is evidenced by the fact that rival unsubsidized lines have been equal- ly successful and that the largest con- tracts have been on terms which made them a matter of indifference to the party receiving them." Carrying Our Coal in Time of War. How are we going to carry our coal supply in time of war? How are we going to provide men for our naval ships if we have no merchant marine to train them? How are we going to pro- vide auxiliary dispatch boats of fast speed? If we were transferring a large force of troops to any foreign country, the miserable old ships we have available for the purpose now would regulate the whole movement, because you must re- member that the slowest ship sets the speed. Just think what that would mean in comparison with the facilities pro- vided by the merchant marine of Eng- land, Germany, or Japan. Isn't it in- credible that with such facts plainly be- fore us we should be doing nothing to correct our most lamentable weakness as a nation and as a business people? I confess I cannot understand the pol- itical sentiment which seems to count as a public enemy a man who advocates the assistance of the government in building up a merchant marine which the gov- ernment needs so keenly. I cannot un- derstand why the motives of men who love their country and who are thinking of tomorrow should be open to such abuse and misconstruction. But for one, while I hope I am as sensitive as most people, I shall, as an American, say all and do all I can to drive home the truth and to keep before my country this great question of putting the flag on the highways of the world. A Most Amazing Situation. I told you about the Spanish-Amer- ican war. Today, Spain has arranged for a line of steamers via the Panama canal and is advertising for the best terms. The country we fought and whose navy we sought to destroy has seen the possibilities to which our own people seem to be blind, of the great work we are building on the Isthmus. What are we doing? We are spending half a bil- lion dollars on the greatest project of the country, and we are doing absolutely nothing to pfovide a merchant marine to ~ use the new facilities. It is the most amazing situation any civilized people ever faced. Why is it? How do you account for it? Prior to the civil war the southern democrats were enthusiastic for the merchant marine and were will- ing to lend generous assistance to it. Today they draw political lines and fight 'TAE MaRINE. REVIEW the building up of the merchant marine by mail contracts. It ought not to be a party question. No part of the country should be more interested in it than all the south. The stakes are tremendous, and the way is plain, and in the North American Review for January of' this year I outlined how it can be done. It would require but little addition to our present law. And in spite of all the outcry made by a part of the press as to looting the treasury and other absurd preposterous charges, it-would not take one dollar more than the amount actual- ly received in carrying our foreign mails. In fact, it is practically limited to the profit on our foreign mail business, and thus under wise legislation we should be able to build up superb fleets of modern boats without a penny of cost to the tax- payers of the country. A great American has said that the hardest thing to get done is that which everybody admits ought to be done. Per- haps it is this fact which has kept us from doing our duty in providing a mer- chant marine. But in the name of all that is wise and prudent and patriotic, let us no longer postpone the work, but let us, as good citizens and loyal Amer- icans, who realize the duties and res- 'ponsibilities of the future, go out from this presence tonight enbued with the spirit of progress and of achievement and determined that the American flag shall be fitly represented in the com- merce of the world. THE MANATEE. The twin screw mail and passenger vessel Manatee has been built by Messrs. Ja S. White & Co, Ltd. for the mail 189 intendence of Messrs. Ridsdale, Wells & Kemp, consulting and inspecting naval architects and marine engineers to the crown agents for the Colonies. The Manatee is 100 ft. long, 16 ft. beam and 4 ft. 6 in. draught; has trimming tank and mail-room forward, and large saloon space for government officers and first class passengers, 25 ft. 6 in. long, with entrance lobby and pantry at after end; and a promenade deck, on which is the steering position and leadsman's plat- form, over the saloon. The cargo hold,,to take 15 tons, is forward of engine room; and aftacabin for native clerks on port side, and for engineers on starboard side, with large crew space full width of vessel aft of these. At extreme after end are European and native galleys, native baggage space, ship's store and native latrine. Second and third class passengers carried aft. of cargo hold, Three sundecks are fit- ted. The machinery consists of two sets of Kromhout. paraffine engines driving twin screws, engines and _ connections being specially modified and arranged to suit the conditions of the service in the estuaries and on the coast. Compressed air starting gear is fitted, air compressors being fitted to each en- gine. The vessel is lighted throughout by electric light, the dynamo in engine room being driven by a' Seal paraffine engine. A pumping set by the same makers is also fitted with suctions to all main compartments and to trimming tank. \ The engine room is of large size with a. view to accessibility to. all. parts of. THE MANATEE. and passenger service of the govern- ment of Southern Nigeria to the design and specifications and under the super- engines and good ventilation; the latter being secured by large skylights and cowls, and Stone's pivoted side lights