The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-08

sssEm Gsass-yns eg:..sst Way 70
Establish ThSA8. -S ~
Our advocacy Of the establishment OF
''steam lanes has excited so much interest in
the maritime world that the discussion is now
narrowing down to the practical aspects of
the subject. Can s'steam lanes be laid down
on the charts2 That question has been
answered afarmatively. Can they be followed
by the steamships sailing to and from this
port? Yes, has been the response. Has there
been any opposition to the project we have
urged with so much earnestness, knowing that
the readers of the HERALD are largely inter-
ested in transatlantic travel None. On the
contrary, 'tsteam lanes are favored by sea-
men and navigators. They have been urged
by the Chamber Of Commerce in memorial
to Congress. signed by some of the most dis
tinguished merchants. and shippers Of the
city. Senator Conkling, in the Senate, and
Mr.. Cox, in the House, have taken charge Of
the bill, which, although too narrow in scope
and too indefinite in terms, will, with amend
ments which may even suggest themselves to
these gentlemen, bring the matter into shape
for international action. The provisions Of
this bill. as reported, are these: That the
President shall appoint commissioner on
the part Of the United States, with fixed
compensation, to meet other commissioners of
other maritime nations. who shall assemble
and lay down sssteam lanes" to declare in favor
of the use of electric lights and raft accom-
modations in cases of accidents at sea, and that
the President shall notify the other Powers in
terested Of the legislation Of Congress. The
mistake of the bill lies in the fact that no one
man is competent, from the Important nature
of the innovations proposed. to speak at once
with intelligence and impartiality in the name
of the maritime interests Of the United States.
Perhaps Senator Conkling is not aware that the
establishment Of 'tsteam lanes" which really
comprehend all the other changes proposed,
involves complete revolution in ocean travel,
which must be followed with changes likewise
in the navigation of sailing ships. It is
hardly to be presumed that when the maritime
nations shall behold in these trackways sue
cessful regulation between the Eastern and
Western Hemispheres. the reform will be
confined to the Atlantic Ocean. We look to
the day, which can hardly be far distant,
when general system Of maritime regulations
and Jurisprudence viii compel 'tsteam lanes"
over the busy highways Of the Mediterranean.
from the shores Of Asia to our own Pacific
coast; indeed, over every sea now
ploughed by the leviathan agents
of commerce. sLanes'' for sailing craft
may become q fact Of the future also. Now
ship without steam power sailing from
this port for Liverpool, with adverse winds.
must utilize every local advantage stacking"
according to her ability, sometimes finding
herself far to the northward Of the routes Of
ocean steamers and often far to southwark
IF belt for sailing ships, laid down after an
exhaustive digest of the log books, by which
Maury was able to organize his geography Of
the sea, could be placed upon the charts fur
be no difficulty in compelling sailing ships to
confne themselves to Opeciied zones. II
would thus ultimately result that we would
have perfect knowledge Of the navigable
ocean, and that vessel would seldom be out
of sight Of some immediate and protecting
power. How, in view of the great change
necessary to security of life and property, can
Messrs. Conkling and Cox hope to accomplish
q creditable success by the appointment Of
one man to elucidate all these questions;
before an international commission? We re-
peat, then, what we have heretofore urged,
that FIVE commissioners should be appointed,
representing the steamship interest the Hydro
graphic Office, the Chamber Of Commerce, the
public and the captains themselves. No move
ment can succeed which bears even the sus-
picion of Partially.
THE CHAMBER or COMMERCE met last even
ing and feasted and siMdulged its soul"
Several good speeches were made-one by Mr.
Evarts, eby Judge Noah Davis. Mr.. Dodge
was reelected President and Mr.. Have
meyer made his one hundred and eighth
annual response to the toast Of New York city.
pEp QnNAT TNTETIIGENCE