New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-17
RESTORATION OF AMERICAN COMMERCE..

Company OI IItISOush'
RESTORATION OF AMERICAN COMMERCE.
VIEWS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE NEW-foEk
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
An adjourned meeting of the Chamber OF
Commerce held yesterday afternoon to consider the
reports presented the last meeting referring 10 the de-
cline Of American shipping. MT Dodge presided INC
Secretary read a communication from the American As
ISOLATION for the Restoration Of the shipping Interest
which recommended the repeal OF all internal revenue
tax on vessels and marine engines the payment OF boun
ties on unnage and the granting OF subsidies 10 Amer
can steamship companies. After the reading OF tho
paper the chairman informed the reporters present that
number OF the members OF the Chamber had complained
that they had been misrepresented IN the phbhed re-
pOrts OF former meetngs ana he hOped tey NOuu theI
else the utmost In the writing up OF their reports
Mr.. 4. a. Low made few remarks IN support OF the
majority report which he prefaced by reading an extract
from editorial which appeared IN one OF the evening
The Chamber Of Commerce Of this city to take the
mai among buou1 demand that The Chamber Of
Commerce shall avor such iuh'' or eogn 90, 81 ,bs PUBIC
AL for 'ubsis' Ought no. these euIa' 10
Mr. Low said It was true that he was stookhoder ana
director In the Pacific Mail steamship Company but that
ne was more largely interested IN the Union Pacific Rail
road and had spent more money In the repair OF single
wooden ship than he had IN the Pacific Mail Steamship
Co That IL WAS well-knOwn that ho did Introduce "a
resolution asking for subsidy Tor two steamers lhstehd
OF one. In advocating the majority report he recon-
msnded the importing OF iron plates Tor the construction
OF steamers free OF duty and the granting Of ample
subsidies to steamers built in American shipyards That
foreign vessels purchased by American shippers be ad
United OF duty Mr. low thought that much IA our
commerce has declined the coastwse trade was OF mlch
Importance and there need OF bringing foreign
in competition with American coastwse steam
ers IL would be gross injustice 70 American shippers
who had stood firm during inc dark DAYS OF me heOet
lion for steamers 10 come here IN foreign name
and usurp the coastwise trade. II would be
another bounty gwen to an lnsld!ous zoe Inc
steamers between here and China cost O0OO and the
required that they should be built 10 Amer
can yards. While the Pacific Mail steamship company
received but 100000 the Government gave tlOOOO0O
year 70 have the mail transported overland IL was true
that steamship lines did not build up smiling villages
and that have no colonial possessons but have We
interests IN Chnai 1t should be- the policy OF Con
gress maintain her commerce, the same she main
tans her navy and Congress Is wlllingto appropriate
$2OOOO0O for the navy which u used 10 protect her
commerce. and VIII not give lew millions 10 sustain mat
IL well known that merchants no longer
shipped full cargoes Csrgoes for American ports were
made up by contribution Mr. Low certain that the
entire commerce OF the world Will gradually be engrossed
by the various steamship lines that some
gentlemen still believe IN tho utility uf sailing vessels
whether built In this country or abroad The Govern
ment should do something for the only line which has
been ruined by the tjO0OoOOO or OOVOW she gave TO
the Pacific Railroad.
Capt snow the mover OF the minority report had q
paper which stated that the main points OF difference
between the reports the question OF subsidies and
In admitting foreign vessels TO our coastwise trade The
British Government has passed free navigation laws and
opened their avenues Of commerce To all nations There
had been lines OF steamers established without subsidies
which had been very profitable, such ms the Glasgow,
Williams and GuoD aud the National lines. Capt Snow
had understood that the large side wheel steamers OF the
Pacific Mail were very expensive, and every way insult
able for the China trade. What wanted for Amer-
steamers the latest improvements The majority
report to regard subsidies the grand paDacea
Ocean He believed that IL would DO the
means OF creating "a few mOnOpOlies
Mr. Buck still believer in the efficiency OF wooden
vessels iron, and would have the tunnage duty
moved also income taxes and II possible. state taxes
as TO encourage shippers 10 was well known that
sick men wanted little stimulant
Charles II Marshall said that lie knew he spoke the
sentiments OF decided majority Of the shipping interest
when he says that the American shipping interest does
not want be subsidized. The remedy for our is
the remission OF duties and freedom 10 buy vessels where
we will and run them under the American flag wherever
we wish The principle OF subsidies Is only part Of the
protective system which has largely brought about our
troubles In CONCLUSION, he said that the eIactons OF
the English Government oppressive that the bene
fits derived by the subsid lies OF English lines are In
great measure neutralized.
After some further debate the following resolutions re.
ported by Mr.. Low. read separately and adopted
R,i0utd That this Chamber recommend 10 the Congress Of the
United States about assemble the modeston Of eIng laws
that
FoTegn built steamers be imported free Of dutJ and privileged
the American Tag provided they American owned and not
10 be employed eOtstuise trade.
That yatss aud other material for the consuctoB OF
steamers be deemed advisable be admitted free OF duty
That on all ship stores proeuabe bond drawback be returned
40 npon goods shipped for sale 10 forsgp snds and
Tbs subsidies be granted lines built 10 Ame
yards 70 the end that competition powerful orekn
uop, nay be successfully insngarAied and sustained.
The Chamber ordered that the be engrOssed aud
that Committee be appointed present IL 10 Congress