The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-17
AMERICAN INTERESTS ON THE OCEAN.

marine met again yesterday AZ ten O'CLOCK Ill room
No. custom House. There were present Hon. John
Lynch, Chairman and Messrs. Conkling, Ca!kin and
HOtchkiss.
Mr.. A. A. Low said he had always been in favor Of
protecting American interests. Our laws were
framed with view Of protecting various Industries
but they bear hard on this particular interest and
are burden on ships. There various causes for
the depression OF the shipping interest The depre
ciated currency tended to increase the cost OF build
ing ships and sailing them afterwards The policy
OF England had given her prestige. We had only
one important line OF steamers at present. He
thought there was scarcely law that did not inict
injury on our shipping interests. He was IN favor OF
the policy OF England being adopted here, he said,
and explained the beneficial effect that would result
| If subsidies were given to steamers. He did not
think that we could equal England in the cOnstruc-
ton OF ships England had always striven for
supremacy in everything, and has driven our ships
| from the ocean by paying large subsidies. They
protect their ships encourage the shipping interest
and we depress it. He thought shipowners were
In favor OF bringing English vessels here, and putting
them under the American nag for his own part ne
| would Ike to see our mechanics encouraged, and
that we should build our own ships. He thought we
should be independent Of foreign workmanship and
SKILL England can at present build much cheaper
than we can undoubtedly, ana purchasing ships
would not change their foreign character to any
great extent We should adopt the policy Of Eng.
land, which maintains her steamers BY subsidies,
while we do not M X
Mr.. PoILLoN said his views were fully expressed
pressed by the shipowners' Association he thought
were not the true opponents OF those Of The mer-
bltory tariff affects shipping interssts the price
OF cooper Is seven 10 eight cents more here than
there, and IN iron the difference is thirty or thirty
hQn Ipau mo %
than the English. stin their superior skin, he
thought, was more than setofl against IT. the
ships abroad The only way Of x" recovering ' oar
England and France both follow this poey ana
they more liberal to vessels trading with other
on ali stores suppiied II all these concessions were
made the trade would revive IN two years GER
rainly.
Mi. GEORGE OPDYKE gave his views as to the
cause OF the depression Of the shipping interest.
The most important was the depreciation Of cur
when was seventy.nve per cent above the gold
price, while the difference betw cen gold and cur.
po Establish 'aDSsas ss
Of steamers, to grant subsidies IN certain cases.
Necessary. II the concessons demauceS V Were
granted he thought It would give the supremacy
Of the sea; oil our people want is an open field and
fair competition. He did not think that exempt
ing from duty the materials for the construction OF
other ships would not be sufficient to enable us to
to admit foreign bult vessels to registration mere
| ana put them on equality with American vessels,
could not fall to be Injurious TO the shipping inter-
| ests.
Mr.. Rowland, Of the firm OF Rowland 4 Frothing-
ham, considered tue depression OF our commerce
attributable to natural causes; there was less
| carrying; there was on overabundance OF tonnage,
and the civil war had tended to destroy pres
tige. IL would be some years, he thought, before
we could cope with Great Britain in building iron
| ships. Their firm own oil American ships which
sail under the American nag. The shipping interest
small IN comparison with other interests; 1t was
| considered poor investment He was not In favor
/ for constructing vessels were exempted from duty
and the stores were permitted to be taken in bond II
would undoubtedly benefit shipping interests. He
thought 1t would be Inconsistent to grant more pro-
tectop to shpbuilding than to any other branch Of
| industry.
traced The fluctuations IN the carrying trade from the
period OF the Mexican war TO the breaking out OF the
rebellion when many OF our vessels were SOLD abroad
| price OF materials and the cost OF equipplng and
| running vessels. The expense or labor now on
an average, two three hundred per cent
before the war, but even now vessels con be built
| for sixty dollars per ton. The expense has been
greatly increased by the repairs and the high rates
OF insurance. He thought That the remission OF duty
on materials for building would greatly tend TO IN
over one-half what it was before the war; the only
| important trade now is that OF California.
\ Mr.. SPorFoRD. OF the firm Of sponord, Teston \
Co., thought that the chief causes OF the depression
| are the subsidies given by foreign governments and
the cost Of construction and navigation. He thought
| American to purchase vessel where he pleased at
/ the cheapest market, and register her here He
nnsed an oulny aers be eYT s0a
| IN the coastlng trade In England, he believed ne
| would be compelled to put the ownership in the
name OF native OF that country. lie doubted that
II the duty were taken OF material we could supply
| the demand as fast as the vessels were demanded
| or at so low cost "a in England. He thinks steam.
ship lines are managed more economically now tnan
they were when the Collins line was established. II
| foreign vessels were admitted to registry here nc
4 influence
| largely held abroad, no more than by allowing
| foreigners TO open our railroads.
MIR. WHITLoCK said lie considered that great bcne-
fits had resulted from the introduction or steam.
ships. The application OF all laws should he uni
versal. He favored the removal OF all restrictions
/ by duties and foster every means BY winch ship
/ building here would be encouraged.
MIR. NEsMlTH said his firm mad had offers from
England to build sailing vessels OF fl4 los. and as
| low fl2 per ton. He thought that II the duties
builder could supply The demand as low as in Eng.
1 land-at least wooden vessels, but ne did not know
| about iron vessels. HE was opposed to abrogating
Mr.. WILLIAM II. WEBB hoped that before the CON-
\ mittee returned 10 Washington they would request
shipowners and underwriters TO furnish Information
The CHAIRMAN stated that 1t was their intention
| to address circulars to such parties.
The following was received and ordered on fe:--
Mr.. CHaIRNAS AND GEsl1EsEs OF THR coSeREs-
soNaL hi have O, aereoos been quite
complain much bus feel prout 70 think tina, there has
States
vince the tariffs sbpbuiding
materials ought entirely cease for the protection of
mercc. there Is another branch of which
70 cali serious attention to- have been for the last
three coniesng the csay Of State and municipal
the Of the United States Those OF
| taxes vessel property enormous and attended
| with distractions, delays and damage. hope,
Mr.. Chairman, YOU and your committee win not
be nnmniful assisting pressing claims at the
next session Of Congress abrosste and finally break
different various State and municipal that
imposed upon and ersctea from commercs al the various
ports In the United States partially set forth In this petit
ton which has presented Congress- but which
| not been acted upon at present.
also wish TO state that within the walls OF this edHce
the Collector OF the port of New York has collected millions
Of dollars and up 70 this date collecting state mun
cipa axes and tonnage dues from
the constitution OF the Cned sates violation Of
In Win cf tbas