Show OUR MERCHANT MARINE by PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT N AMERICAN merchant marine arine A is is one of our most firmly established traditions it was during the first halt balc ot of our national existence a groat great and growing asset since then it has declined in value and importance the time hns has come to square this traditional ideal with ith effective performance free competition amon among g the nations in the building of modern shipping facilities cili ties Is a manifestation of wholly desirable and wholesome national ambition in such free competition the american people want us to be proper ly represented the american people want to use Ameri american caa ships their government owes it to them to make certain that such ships are in keeping with our national pride and national needs |