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Bil 14S Never Stood for Soclalism fohadds WNERSHIP and operation of a huge fleet of O ‘steamships by the federal government, at a cost to the taxpayers of many millions a year, is state socialism of the most flagrant character. It rep- resents a system of organization which the American people repeatedly have repudiated, on the last occasion on Nov. 4, 1924 by a majority of nineteen million votes. How, under these circumstances, does a business ad- ministration with a definite antisocialist mandate from the people, justify its support of the socialist United States shipping board? Politics—Both Feet in the Trough The time has come to speak plainly of this canker which is eating into the vitals of the American system of business. The biggest reason why our useless fleet of rusty tramps isn’t consigned forthwith to the scrap heap, why millions are squandered on the graft-ridden organization of the Fleet corporation, why congress keeps on paying the deficit out of your pocket and mine, may be summed up in a phrase—jobs for poli- ticians. In a word—pork. The pork in the shipping board makes rivers and harbors and other old stand- by grafts look like 30 cents half spent. 33 We charge that the shipping board and its appendage, the Fleet corporation, is essentially a huge political machine operated for the purpose of making jobs for politicians and political hangers-on. It is kept go- ing because of jobs and graft. This statement is true despite the fact that this organization includes high minded men who have the welfare of their country at heart and think that the socialization of great public utilities is a good thing. If anyone doubts the political character of this agglomeration of pseudo-experts in shipping, let him learn how J. B. Meserve, a lame duck from Oklahoma, beaten in a contest for a federal judgeship, got on the shipping board payroll at $9000 a year. Certainly it cannot be contended that Oklahoma offers opportunities for acquiring maritime experience. Afraid to Take the Bull by the Horns Even the strong committee appointed recently by the President to bring in another report on the ship- ping situation was afraid to take the bull by the horns. It recommended more construction, maintenance or regular service on trade routes of so-called national importance and private ownership—eventually. Why not private ownership now, Mr. Hoover, Mr. Mellon, Mr. Coolidge?