The Portland daily press., 1869-10-20

some extent our Government should follow
the policy of Britain, as without it we can do
nothing. 1t would be good policy in proper
cases to help lines competing with Great Brit
ain. The demand for metals in this countrv
has not been equal to the supply.
Chairman-Do understand you to saw
that you are in favor of exempting materials
from duty, and also to repeal that portion If
the Navigation laws in reference to the reois-
tration of foreign ships?
Mr.. Opdyke-First, would be in favor of
exempting the taxes, and then gradually ADAM
don the policy of the country.
Mr.. Holman-A free trade in ships. ra-
bate of duty external and internal, and pivino
American ships the preference of domestic
trade, what would these three measures pro-
duce for our commerce?
Mr.. Opdyke-I think they would produce
for us the supremacy of the sea. The Amer
leans have more aptitude for mercantile COM
merce than any people in the world.
Mr.. Holman-What effect would those
measures have on our shipbuilding?
Mr. Opdyke.-In my opinion there is no
means OF protecting the shipbuildng interests
successfully unless by giving bounties. The
remission of duties on material would not be
sufficient at present, on account Oft the supe-
rior advantages Europeans have in the con-
struction of iron vessels and steam machinery
and cheap labor. Steam engineers here YES
terday said we could build engines as cheaply
at home as they could be done abroad The
rebate of duty simply puts the American
builder on the same platform with the foreign
competitor; L can'ts that the remission of
taxes who'd be equal to forty-five per cent TO
the American citizen.
Mr.. Rowland, of the firm of Rowland
Brothers, said that ships could be more chean-
ly built and better manned in England than
AM pin rrDv &c1,s
en- ones, being superior in safety and strength.
AS far as the making of machinery was con-
cerned, it would take some time for Ampri
cans to be able to compete with the English.
He was in favor of remitting all taxes on ma
terials and of having ships built at home: a
nation should always have class of skilled
wOrkmen.
James W. Elwell, member of the Ship
owners Association said: have been ship
owner and agent for thirty Years Our COM
merce daring the war with Mexico and the
famine in Ireland led to stimulation in the
building of ships. This continued for a few
years to increase very rapidly and the bust
ness was remunerative. But in 1854 so many
people entered into the building of ships that
the market became over-stocked, and many
found ships on their hands and had to sell at
a great loss. Then came the commercial pam
ic of 1851, which depressed business very
much. Afterward a market was found for
many of our ships abroad. Again building
was stimulated, and up to the commencement
ofthe last war we were building large and fine
ships. Since then our tonnage has decreased
so per cent Labor, mechanism, &C., is now
200 or 300 per cent. more than it had been
before the war. For stevedore's bill that
would then be $500, you should now pay from
81 200 to 81 800. The cost of building ships
during the war was 500 ton, while it is now
from $65 to $40. Ifmaterials were free from
duty, the builder could construct ships which
would prove remuneratiye; and if goods could
be brought from bond, as in other nations,
vessels would be sailed so low as to compete
with other nations. He was not in favor of
an entire abrogation of the navigation laws,
and large number of the Shipowners' Asso-
citation was of the same opinion.
Mr.. Spofford was in favor of rebate of du-
ty and an abrogatiOn of the navigation law
so as to permit the American citizen to pur-
chase ship and run her wherever he pleased
He also was in favor of subsidising vessels
for by this means the English were enabled to
ruin the Collins steamers.
Mr.. William Whitlock spoke in favor of
remission of taxes on building material.
Mr.. Nesmith presented several documents
by which it appeared that out of IO1 ships in
Calcutta only six were American, and that
iron ships could be built on the Clyde at the
rate OF 414 los, a ton. Mr. Nesmth said that
Americans could build wooden ships better
than the English, and all they wanted to
compete in the construction of ships was to
get cheap material. He objected to purchas-
ing ships abroad for Americans wanted every.
thing American.
Mr.. Webb shall be glad to make a suq-
gestion that this Committee, befo thew adj
journ, would request the shipowners of New
York, and more particularly the underwriters,
to give some information in writing of their
views upon the questions before the Commit
tee. called upon some of the underwriters
myself requesting them 10 come here to-day,
but it is very difficult to get the principals TO
leave their offices; in fact it is almost impos-
slble for them to do so during the business
hours; but am sure some of them would
give you written information if called for, and
am satisfied you can get some information
from those people. L am surprised to find
there is so little knowledge among
our shlp-owners present before this
Committee. | trust if convenient.
You will again sit here after dischargng your
duties down east and then we hope to have
ready for you opinions given in writing.
The chairman said he would be glad to see
Mr.. Webb's suggestion carried out
On motion of General Wetmore a resolu-
tion was PASSED thanking the Committee for
the enlightened manner in which they had
conducted the investigation. Zoo
The Chairman suitably replied, and thank
ed the merch ants of New York for their val
liable suggestion and kind attention.
The inquiry was then adjourned. The
committee have gone to Boston to continue
their investigation, and will return to New
I ork IN a few days to resume the INQUIRY
here.
OPENING SESSION IN BOSTON.
From the Boston Traveller of Tuesday,
The Congressional committee on the causes
OF the decline of commerce, which has been
sltCiuS in New foih, decided Le,vo tlicil
opening session this morning, and according
ly assembled at the Board of Trade Hall. at
the corner OF Chauncy and Bedford Streets
The committee consists of Hon. John Lynch
OF Portland, Me-, chairman, Hon. Erastus
Wells OF Missouri, Hon. De j. Morrell of Penn
sylvania, Hon. James Buffinton of Massacbu-
sets, Hon. w. S. Holman of Indiana. and
Hon. II. Calkins Of New York. Three other
gentlemen belonging to the committee had
not been at its session.
There were present this morning, Hon. E.
>. TObey, ex-Mayor Fred. W. Lincoln, Hon.
Alex. H. Rice, Nathaniel G. Nash, Hon. E. S.
Derby, Hon. Ginery Twichell and Donald
Mckay, Mr.. Hills the Secretary of the Board
OF Trade, Franklin Williams, and other gentle
men.
Inc committee was called to order by Hon.
John Lyncn at III l-2 O'Clock, who said that
Iie commttee was appointed by Congress to
slI curing tne recess TO investigate the causes
Wn'cn nave operated to depress the shipbuild-
ihs anu the general commercial interests of
lne country. Inc committee was here by in
W. vtation OF the Boston Board OF Trade, and
.ney wouiu pe pleased 10 near any communities
ton that the committee of that Board had to
make them : =