The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-18
Tho last section adopted was thought to be
ImpOriant By all tho oflleors preecnt II rend;
OUR SHIPPING INTERESTS.
Opposition to the BIn GiviuH Americas Res-
Istry TO ForeIRn- BnIIt shIps

WASHINGTON, Jan 1.-THE House Com
mittce on Commerce to-day heard arguments
on tho bill introduced by Mr. Harrison OF ILL
nois. which proposes to amend the Revised
Statutes as 10 allow the purchase and regis
try OF foreign ships by citizens Of the United
States.
Mr. Goldman Of New York briefly addressed
tho Committee in favor Of tho bill and wns fol-
lowed 10y Mr. Eugene Hale of Maine in oppose
ton to it, Hc took the ground that there was no
demand for the repeal Of the navigation laws.
and that nobody appeared hero for that purpose
except Mr.. Goldman Of New York. who repre-
scented British ships. ThoAmercan shipbud-
ing interest. he said. had struggled against tho
competition OF cheaper built foreign ships for
eighteen years. and at last had reached point
when it could build better ships than tho rest of
the world could supply. and at rs cheap rates.
This interest should DO given few years OF
this condition 10 prove itself but II the Nayica-
tion laws were repealed we would let in hun
dreds Of British ships which now lie idle and
glut the market. Do this" snid he and
you root out tho entire shiphuilding in
tcrcst and send to other vacations thou
sands ot tho best skilled mechanics in the world
and If YOU do IL you will obtain little benefit as
the money would not 20 into American pockets.
Let European cumili' ations result in war in
which Grrnt Britain would be surely worstcd.
and the British commercial marine would be-
transferred TO the hands Of agents. factors and
purchasers In our large cities who represent
British houses. and while tho sale would hc
mammal every dollar earned und' tho lrotsc-
ton Of our laws would 20 into the pockets Of
British owners and the golden onrortunity M.
tordcd ~ To resume our asrcndancy on the
seas bo forever lost. Give tour shiphuilders u
chnncet compete under the present cheap
rates. They have not yet had a fair opportunity.
but are Just or the cgc 81 obtaining H. and,
therefore, nothing should Doe done to interfere
Representative Ward OF Pennsylvania en-
bhaiically denied an assertion made 10y MIR.
Goldman that Amt ricnn shpbuildcrs could not
quiz rs good ships MS those OF England. and
said that when the Committee were ready To re-
port this bill To the House. they would be- ready
20 drag down the wages and condition Of Amer
lean mechanics 10 the level Of foreign lahorers
Referring 20 an allegation that the shiphuiding
interest was too small 10 command national at
tcnton Mr.. Ward quoted from documents To-
show that. during 1878. there were built on the
Delaware River alone % 900 toms Of iron shine
Of the value 81 t5O0O,O00. OF this. ut least
A.OO0OO0 represented wages paid for labor
IN tho various stages OF construction-from
the mine and the tree 10 the complete vessel.
There WINS no industry in which labor formed
SO great an element ~ shipbuilding. nor one
whose destruction would more disnstrously af-
iect the worklng clhsses. Moreover. the pres-
ent navigation laws provided that American Of
ncers should command the vessels registered
under thcn so that true and loyal men should
be- on deck when danger threatened from either
foreign or domestic foes.
II preventative Harrison Of Illinois said that
our shipping interest had not grown up under
been claimed but in spite Of them. II was be-.
cause OF the abundant supply OF timber from
our forests and the ingenuity and SIX N Of our
mechanics. The ships we built sailed with the
wind. while European ships foated with tho
tide, so superior We're our vessels in teetness
We have in this way ecipScd the combined
world in shtpbuilding and gained a vast amount
OF the carving trade Of the world. Our shps
went TO England. sailing thcnce to China, re-
turning with silks and teas. When England be-
gan building iron ships. we could not compete
win her. but We can do So now, owing 10 our
facilities and the chcapcning OF labor. As To
the navigation laws, they protected only few
thousand persons Of the States 90 Maine and
Delaware. who were here In fun force To sustain
those laws. What was every budy's interest
was particularly nobody's interest md therefore
thcre Wer' no persons here To fight for free
shlps Int tho gentleman from New York Mr.
tulmnul and himself Mr.. Harrisunl Before
1915 American bottoms carried twp-thirls Of
"" American COMMERCE. but to-day nearly
thrce-iourths Of American commerce was car
RED IN foreign lotions. and We have 10 appeal
y foreign shippers To-day money was worth
from iNn - iour per cent in our great money
centres. Many ~ the holders Of this money
would DE Glad % seek Investments in ships. but
now when they wish 10 do so they have 10 40 10
John Roach and other shipbuilderS. who could
give them only eight or nine iron ships auuu.
ally, whereas II the world were open TO them.
Z, Wst amount OF surplus money would 70 into
sLlIhuIling.
M.--rs Fitzpatrick ani Lawrence. represent
Ing the Nr@sel Owners Association 81 Philadrl-
phia: Cakin oi New York and Goolail % Cali
iornia spoke iu opposition to th" hlll.
ia" COMMIT t'" On Commerce Will resume tho
hearing on Tuesday next