Daily Republican., 1881-08-13
AMERICAS DISADVANTAGE.
Nr. John R0ach Talks About the
BrazllIan Line.

1t was reported In New York City
yesterday that John Roach had receiv
ed a telegram from Brazil Offering hin
another Southern mail contract if ht
would re-establish line OF steamers II
that country, and that he intended tt
bald three new steamers for that pur.
pose. A Tribune reporter called upon
Mr.. Roach at the Morgan iron works to
make some inquiries on the subject. AL
though it is time of year when most
persons of Mr., Roach's age and wealth
are seeking rest and recuperation at
summer resorts, he denies himself that
pleasure, and continues hard at work,
spending three days out Of each week
at his sbip.yard in Chester, Pa, and
three days in his iron works in this
city.
at is not true," said Mr.. Roach, re-
terring to the report of his re-establish-
ing South American line of ships. 81
withdrew from that trade because l
could not make it pay, with such en-
cOuragement as received, in compe-
tition with the British lines which had
command of the trade; it is Il difficult
matter, and costs good deal of money,
tablished line. think it would be d
very difficult matter for new firm to
come here and start along side Of me
and attempt to take my trade from nue.. -
But the Canadians have established
Brazilian line,' suggested the re-
porter.
eyes, and that is one of the reasons
why | withdrew. They have the as
sistance of the very forces that are
working against me-"
If it is ouly the want of sufficient
business, why don't you establish a
line from this city to Liverpool. There
is surely plenty of business.
"Well, now, that is question which
have considered be1ore. 1t involves a
good many points. One of the oDsta-
cles has in part been removed by the
New York Legislature exempting Amer
lean ships from taxation. The Massa-
chusetts Legislature has done the same,
and to-day received tel gram from
New Hampshire stating that the Legis-
lature of that State had taken similar
action. But ii an English firm wanted
$5,O00,0O0 capital to start u line of
steamers they could get il at 3 per cent.
The capital could not be got for an
American line for less than 6 per cent.
American vessels would have TO be
manned by American hands, and labor
in this country costs II good deal more
than in England.
Here are two very important points
of difference to begin with. 1t is not
| the first cost of vessels that prevents the
American lines from being run. Two
men build houses to rent. The man
VINO builds this year finds that it costs
him 50 per cent. more than the one who
built last year, but that does not pre-
vent him from building, because it is
not the first cost that makes the differ
ence."
GLOW much does this country nay to
foreign ship owners for carrying its pro-
ducts? 2"
"Ahout Sl50,0O0,o00 annually. This
is very Important question which is
sure at no distant day to become a lead
ing topic. Enough attention is not
given to it now, in my opinion. Then
we talk about the balance of trade. I
have been making an estimate of the
amount of money paid by Americans
to foreign ship owners in fares and the
amount expended annually in foreign
countries. 1t amounts to more, be
lieve, than The surplus of trade in oul
favor"