The Portland daily press., 1883-09-13
THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
j ohm Ronchs Views ON the Decrease of
Our shipping-He is Opposed 10 nm
Eight Hour Law.

NEW YORK, Sept 12.--Mr. John Roach con-
tinued his testimony today before the Senate
subcommittee on labor and education. he
asked leave to correct some misapprehensions
which he said seemed to exist in the minds of
the public regarding lis previous testimony.
He denied that he testified that ships could be
built as cheaply in this country as in England.
lie stated that the materials were as cheap
here as in England, but that the cost OF labor
was greater, which increased the cost OF build
ing. This was because labor was better educa-
ted and more intelligent here than in England,
and could demand and obtain better wages.
He also stated that it was not the first cost of
the ship that made It impossible to compete
with Great Britain In this industry, but the
increased cost OF capital. The witness believed
In the protection of labor in order to develop
properly the resources of the country. With
out protection he declared that no person could
have an opportunity of developing his genius,
unless those industries existed in which his
talents could be exercised. He asserted that
without protection no industries except farm
ing and mining could be carried on. In the
case of three commodities, namely, cotton and
woolen goods and iron, the average value OF
the yearly importations for the last ten years
VI, 100000. This state OF facts Mr..
Roach considered a dangerous sign as they ex-
listed under the present tariff laws. Something
was wrong. 1t was infamous that this large
amount of money should be paid every year to
foreigners and q shame that while America
could feed her population she could not clothe
them. 1t was the result, he asserted, Of a
great war which was going on between foreign
capitalists to get the control Of the American
markets. 1t was the means of building up
great foreign monopolies, whose only object
was TO get as great an advantage as possible in
the markets of other countries In order to be
able to compete with British manufact-
urers the American workman must
consent to degrade himself to the con-
dition of the laboring classes abroad.
Mr.. Roach said Great Britain had 81 ,000,-
100000 of money invested in the shipping bus
iness 1t was her most profitable industry.
gagged in the sailing merchant service and
300 in the steam merchant vessels. Today
there were 104 900 men in the sailing serv ice
and 166, 900 in the steam service. Last year
the earnings of this immense merchant feet
were $400, 0,0c0. This enormous stride Of
the British people was accomplished at the ex-
pense of this country. The interests of the
workingmen here were neglected by those who
ought to guard them. This was the seer ct of
the decrease Of American shipping, in Mr..
Roach's opinion. On the question OF the hours
of labor, Mr. Roach believed that II an eight
hour system was established by
the government it will be necessary
to increase the protective tariff in
order to counteract the influence Of increased
cost of production. The only way of ben eft
give it a chance at the land. In his opinion If
the Government would give $50 acres of land
to every man who would go West and cultivate
it himself there would be an easy solution of
the labor question. In order to do this effec-
tually the Government should appropriate
certain sum for transporting emigrants to the
West.