New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-22
MR.. DUNN's FREE SHIP BILL
Two REPORTS TO THE HoUSE-A VIGOROUS PRO-
TEST FROM THE MINORITY.


TEST FROM THE MINORITY.
Washington, April 21.-The Dunn Free Ship bill,
as reported to the House to-day by the Committee on
Merchant Marine and Fisheries is Identical with the
bill reported to the last Congress, with the eXcep-
ton OF two amendments limiting the business OF the
foreign bnlt vessels admitted TO American registry TO
tho foreign trado and expressly prohibiting them from
engaging In the coastwise trade OF the United states
The majority report is also similar to that which &C
companied the bill when II reported during the
last Congress
minority report is signed by Messrs Dingley,
farQuhar, Hopkins, FELTON,. Cummings and Clark 1T
says:
TIE bill originates In a remarkable manner for aside
bare majority Of the members Of tho committee
voted report the bill favoraby 70 the House ana
individual who advocated the inclusion OF our coast
tonnage In the provisions Of the bill, not person.
nor company nor maritime association. Board Of
Trade. trades guild union Of workingmen' nor
single Knight Of Labor American sailor, nor an
American merchant American shipper has by per
sona appeal petition asked for the enactment OF the
bill into law In this respect the free ship policy OF
reyivng and restoring the American merchant marine is
UNIQUE TO say IL is serious Injustice TO the
spbudng industry in that It proposes TO place on the
free list completed manufacture OF the most complicated
character while every other completed manuiactufe i-
ported from foreikn country left with duty Of at least
30 per cent 1t is that section OF the bill allows
the importation OF sIpbuding materials free OF duty
But this only noekey, for the reason that the ma
terals OF iron vessel constitute but small part
Of her cost fce-shlp policy looks to the purchase
Of the vessels may want for the foreign trade
and would result In the destruction Of the shpbuIding
industry Of this country The average wages paid In az
American shpysrd least 80 cent higher than in
English shpysrd with this disadvantage no capitanss
would invest the money required to establish extensive
shpysrds In this country, with tho knowledge that he
must compete with English builders In the market
While the b! its face limits the free importation
ana registry Of foreignbult vessels such as are IN
tended for the foreign trade yet every practically
acquainted with the subject understands that one
would import and register foreignbuit vessel unless he
believed that the law would be ultimately 50 modified
allow him 70 use the vessel In the coastwise well
90 foreign trade 1t would be impossible to resist
appeal that would core from every man who imported
and registered such vessel 70 allow him 10 use the vessel
in all trades Good lawyers raintsin when vessel
is granted American register cannot be denied all
the privileges which the laws American vessels
ana that the law in this respect would be void There
fore the passage Of bill would be Justly regarded rs
the entering wedge for the admission u oregnbunt yes
sells 70 our oosstwise as well as foreign trade.