New-York tribune., 1879-01-18
AMERICAN SHIPS
ARGUMENT As TO WHETHER THK VAST SUNS sPFNr
FOR SHIPPING SHALL GO To- OCk OWN CoUN-
TGYMKN OR THE FORElGNTR.

FOR SHIPPING SHALL GO To- OCK OWN CoUN-
TGYNKN OR THE FOREGGNTB.
lGEYRRAL PRESS DIsPNTCHl
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE House Committee
on Commerce to-day heard arguments on the bill
heretofore introduced by Representative Harrison,
Of Illinois, which proposes TO amend the Revised
Statutes so as 10 allow the purchase and
aoestry of foreign ships by citizens OF the United
States
Mr. John Goldman. of New York. briefly addressed
the committee in favor Of the bill.
Representative Hale of Maine, spoke IN opposi-
tlon to it, He took the ground that there Is no de-
mand for the repeal Of the Navigation laws and
that nobody had appeared in Washington for
that purpose except Mr. Goldman ofNew-fork, who
represents British ships. The American ship
building interest, he sad, has struggled against
the competition of cheaper built foreign
ships for eighteen years. and at last has
reached n point when II can build bet
ter ships than the I4st of the world could sup
ply. and at as cheap rates. This interest should
be given a few years of this condition TO
nrove itself but if the navigation laws
were repealed it wo id let in hundreds Of
British ships which now lie IDLE and gut the
market. DO this said he, and you
root out the entire shipbuilding interests.
and send 10 other vocations thousands Of
the best-skIllcd mechanics in the world.
and # Won do II you will obtain httle benefit,
rs the money would not 70 into American
pockets Let European complications result
in a war in which Great Britain would
he surely worsted, and the British Commercial
marine would be transferred 10 the hands of agents,
factors and purchasers in our large cities who rep
resent British houses. The sale would be nominal
Representative Ward, of Pennsylvania en-
phatically denied an assertion, made by Mr.
Goldman. that American shipbuildeTs can
not build a. good ships as those OF England,
and that the shIpbulldlng interest Is too
small 70 command National attention. On the De-
aware River alone 25,O00 tons OF iron ships
- +lo v,1ne of - OOO. 600 were built during
1878. Ofthi- at least 10000 represented wages
aid for labor in the various stages of construction
from the mine and the tree 70 tue complete vessel
There is no industry III which labor forms
m ,,reot m element rs shlpbuildIng. nor one whose
destruction will more disastrouslv affect the working
I,..es Moreover the present HavIEatloB laws pro-
,idc -ba, American officers shall command I'll" yes
.cI. registered under them, so tha true and loyal
mon ,hal! he on deck when danger threatened from
either foreign or domestic foes.
Pacrcsenta1lve Harrison, of Illinois. said thai
.to Gentleman from Maine reminded Lm OF tn
story told in Esops fables, about the country
man who blew hot and cold with the same
breath. 30 when labor was high. sand Nj
II.rrison. The ship-builders, demanded protection
from rbe .pauper labor Of Europe, and now when
i,bor is cheap they ask 'for an opportu-
,i5, 10 compete with the ship-buildlHG
interest Of the world. our shipping interest
has not grown up under the protection
nf ,be navjgatIan laws as has been claimed. he
said but in spite of them. 1t has been because ol
rho obundance of the supply Of timber from our for
o.ts and the ingenuity and skill Of our mechanics
A. - the navigation laws he said they protect only
d, t,yc Thousand persons of the States Of Maine and
T.loyare who are now here i'm full force % sustain
,l,.e laws. To-day money j. worth from 70
, p4r cent IL our great money centres. Many Of
,h. Loldcrs Of this money would be glad 4"
- eek Investments III ships. Dnt no" wien they
,,i.h 70 do 30 they have 70 60 to John Roach and
cber ehiphuildcrs who can give fhen on.} eight or
r,ur iron hips annually, whereas It the world were
nn.n 10 them a vast amount OF surplus money
would 20 into shphWidtng
Nr Fitzpatrick and Ar. Lawrence, representing
+b,. N.s.cl Owners Association. Of PlniIde,p ,phla
~ C,lklp. Of New York and AT. Goodai of Cali
t,rnio spoke in opposition 10 the bIll. Nj. Ctamp,
- Putiade lpIia, was also present.
T'ba Co,nmittc- on Commerce viii resume tie
hearing on Tuesday n,Nf.