The Republican journal., 1882-11-23
American Shipping Interests.

THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE IN
SESSION. THE SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION.
A quorum ofthe joint Congressional Shipping
Commission, appointed at the last session, met
in New York. Nov 10TH Senator Conger was
chosen chairman and Congressman Cox secre-
tary. The other members are Senators Vest
and Miller and Congressman Gambler. Page.
McLane, Robson and Dngley. The latter
was among those present. The committee was
appointed under Il resolution authorizing them
to inquire into the condition and wants of
American shipbuildmg and shipowning inter-
ests and to investigate the causes of the decline
of the American foreign carrying trade and to
suggest any remedies which may be applied bv
legislation. Several delegations We're present
representing shipbuilding and shipowning i'll
terests. Bath was represented by 2. NJ. Whit
more andJ. K. Houghton, and the New England
Ship Owners Association by J. f. Burt The
questions to be discussed are is follows
First-Why cannot this country build iron.
steel or wooden vessels as we'll and as cheaply
as they are built in Scotland, England or other
countries:
Second-If we had such vessels without cost
ito us could they be run bv us in competition with
those OF other countries who build their own
vessels and run them with their own officers
and crews. without modification or repeal of
existing laws:
Ihird-What modification of existing laws
or what new laws are required to remove dis
examinations against and burdens upon our
shipping and shlpoWnng interests, such as Gus
toms dues, port dues, consular charges, pilot
age, tonnage and other dues. etc:
Fourth-Compare the laws of other countries
x.+stl Al.
our and their shipping and >hipowning inter
estS.
Fifth-Should our navigation laws be repeal
ed or modified. and if modified wherein and for
what purpose:
Slxth-What is the cost of the component
materials of iron, steel or wooden vessels in
other countries and our own:
Seyenth-What would be the effect of a re-
bate on any or all such materials:
ElShth-Prescnt any other statements con-
nected with the cause of the decline of the
American foreign carrying trade and what rem
edies can be applied by legislation.
At the Thursdays session II. W. Rogers. of
the firm of Rogers Small 4 Patten of Bath.
said he had never examined a Canadian built
vessel which he could not duplicate with SINH
lar Workmanship and material at as low cost.
He thcught the same might be done with iron
those sections of the Revised Statutes which re-
lated to the discharge and payment of three
months extra wages TO scameu in a foreign
rort, and allowing ships to employ seamen
upon such terms and for such periods of time
as they could mutually agree upon. Mr. Rogers
thought that all consular fees. compulsory ri
lotage and that clause of section i.13l which re-
CURED officers in all cases to be citizens of the
United States, should be abolished. He was
in favor of establishing bonded Warehouses
but thought the present annual tonnage dues
Of thirty cents should be reduced to ten cents
per ton, payable on every entrance from !.
foreign port. j. +. Burt advocated the en-
actment of laws much like the English ship
ping laws. Capt. q. {. GosS. of Bath. Maine.
spoke on the grievances of scameu. He Sug-
gested that ship owners and shipmaster> should
not give advance notes +. u. Bigelow Of
Baltimore. spoke on individual liability ana
explained the present law, which makes a
part owner of vessel liable for the whole
debts against such vessel. He asked for Il law
that should only make him liable for his share.
A report from the Philadelphia Maritime Tx
change was read, in which the questions sub
mittod by the commission Were answered cate
goricaly. 1t was generally conceded that
American shipping has many difficulties 10
contend against. The cost Of materials. labor.
manning vessels and other expenses. were con
>idered, and radical changes advocated. Con
gresham Dinglcy, OF Maine, in order to show
that the decline in American shipping was as
uniform before the war a. after. supplied The
following table