The President's News Conference
09/04/1946
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
I feel, therefore, that this ship will represent an important addition to our merchant fleet.
I am firmly convinced of the importance of such a fleet for reasons of national defense and our international commerce.
The Government is not helpless in this matter.
However, the clearly desirable objective of promoting an adequate merchant marine cannot be used to condone the allowance of excessive subsi...