The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1882-12-22

Pacific trade; of 2I3l tons each, having a
speed of l3 knots 1t appears that 3,7O9,
S45 pounds of iron, mainly in the form of
plates, angles and bars, were used in the
construction Of. the hull, engines, boilers,
ETC., of each steamship. The duty on iron.
if imported in this form, would average
under the present tariff about II cents per
pound, about $26 for each ton of the steam
ship. The duty on other materials used in
the hull, equipment and furniture of the
steamship would carry up the drawback
allowed from the treasury to about $34.
The cost of each one of the steamships, to
which we have referred, was $780, ,3I7,- or
S134 per ton. The net cost to the original
owners of similar steamships, under the
foregoing plans, after deducting the draw
back, would be about 500 per ton, which,
from all information obtained by your COM
mittee, would be substantially the cost of a
similar steamship built upon the Clyde. If
a steamship were intended only for freight
ing, with speed of seven or eight knots,
usually found in English freiphting steam
ers, the quantity of iron used, AMI conse-
quently the drawback and cost, would be
considerably reduced. In the case of iron
sailing vessels, only about fve-eighths of
the iron used in first-class steamships for the
hull, engines, &c., is required for given
tonnage, and the drawback would be about
SIS per tor. The proposed drawback,
therefore, will practically effect the increase
in the
COST OF BUILDING ...
An iron steamship in the United States
over its cost on the Clyde. This is the
unanimous Judgment of ship-builders and
owners SO far as your committee have heard
from them. This is the judgement also of
the board of trade of San Francisco, which
proposed this plan, the maritime association
Of New York and other commercial boards
So far as the original cost of any kind of
vessel effects the question of the restoration
of the American flag to its proper position
on the ocean, there is good reason to be-
lieve that the policy proposed will solve the
problem. As it is essential for our iron and
steel ship yards to place themselves in posi-
tion to secure contracts for building vessels
for South America, and perhaps other for.
eign countries. Your committee recon-
mend that a drawback of 10 per cent. be
given ON any imported materials of. vessels
constructed to the United States for foreign
account. The report further recommends
attention to and adoption of laws to cover
the object of the investigation, and in con-
clusion says: cit is unnecessary for your
committee to dwell on the great Importance
for any and all legislative measures that
! will tend to revive the American foreign
| carrying trade and the restoration of the
| American flag toa position on the, ocean
commensurate with our population, wealth
| and rank in the family of nations. The
| problem presented to congress involves in
terests of exceptional Importance -
THE GREAT COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
| OF the west and south are especially coz
| cerned. To-day at least s5 per cent. o
their products exported to other countries
depend on foreign vessels, mainly English
for transpo rtation and unless something i
done speedily to relieve American shipp:n:
engaged in foreign trade, soon our depend
ence on English ocean steamers will be com
plete. This places our commerce at tn
mercy of England. In case of war be
tween that country and another power abl
to put cruisers on the ocean, American far
mers and the American people as a who'll
suffer nearly as much as the beligerents, as
by having their exports and imports il
British bottoms, it is liable to capture ano
/ confscation. In it's material aspect tn
shipping problem is national one anil ii
no case local. 1t is more than busines
question. 1t is one which affects our ranl
and influences nation. A nation is know
and felt outside of it's own boundaries NOR
by the flag which floats at the masthead o
it's merchant marine than by anything else
1 1t is difficult to conceive the loss Which W
suffer, not only in national prestige, bu
4 also in national Importance by the infre
quency with which American vessels, appea
in foreign ports.
The problem concerns our national in
dependence and safety. In these moder,
4 times the seat of power of every nation
on the rocking waves as well as on the soli'
land. The naval power of every countr.
will in the long run be proportionate to it
merchant marine. In building up our for
eign carrying trade, therefore, we strength
en- the defences of the nation and give nev
security to our republic. While some Q
the members Of your committee do not COZ
cur in all the statements and reasoning o
the foregoing report, and would recomm ent
additional legislation, yet all concur in rec
ommending the passage of the accomp my
ing bill. Signed, 0. D. Conger. chairman
Warner Willer, G. G. Vest, H. F. Page
| Geo. M. Robson, Nelson Dingley, jr.
Robert NJ. McLane, s. s. Cox"
TELEGBRN
I Sharman's Views.
Sj,a,n, a N ea;d ono of his a rst not ae eaore