The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-03
RIVALS ON THE HIGH SEA
ALL NATIONS IN COMPETITION
FOR CARGOES.

The Nation Whose Shippers Can Quote
the Lowest Rates Bound TO be Mis-
treSs of the Ocean--Some of tho Dis
advantages of American Vessel
Owners
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-The report of G.
B. Morton, Commissioner Of Navigation, is
a compendium of information relating TO
the shipping, not only of the United States,
but of the world 1t shows that the business
is one, perhaps more than any other, gov
erned by the competition Of all nations, and
says that unless an American ship in for
eign ports, or in our own, can take cargo
as cheaply, or more cheaply, than an En-
glish, Norwegian, German or Spanish YES
sci, merchandise will be transported by for
eign vessels.
ADVANTAGES OF OUR RIVALS.
The Commissioner sets forth in detail
various aids and advantages enjoyed by the
shipping of other nations, and concludes
that it is impossible, without change OF
the present conditions, for our navigation
to regain its lost supremacy in the foreign
trade. He says that our vessels must be
put on an equa ity with foreign ships, or
they must be gradually forced out of the
contest Bounties or subsidies are paid by
Spain, Italy, Germany, France, etc, and
British vessels have been and are aided I'M
der one guise or another.
SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE.
The report alludes to various facts rela-
ting to the West Indian and South American
trade which naturally belongs to this coun-
try but it is almost monOpolized by European
ships. The coasting trade is described as
moderately foulishing. The Commissioner
recommends that the coasting trade be re-
lieved of its burdens as to pilotage fees,
on the ground that in many cases where
pilotage was formerly essential the govern
ment has expended millions of dollars in
improving the channels, In placing beacons
and buoys as guides and in making meas
urementS and accurately noting them on
carefully prepared charts, and in erecting
lighthouses.
SHOULD BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.
He thinks shipping should receive the
benefit of these improvements in reduced
charges for pilotage and that Congress
should abolish the compulsory features of
the State laws imposing pilotage, half pilot
age or license fees on coasting vessels so
that the practice may be uniform in all the
States
He speaks of the ilnpolcy of local taxa
biOIl OL N6oStlo3 anu lbS bSlllCilIO W hAlNO
the ownership of vessels from the place
where they are taxed 10 places where they
are not taxed, as well as the fact that it
weights them in their contest with foreign
shipping, not only not taxed but subsidized.
STATE QUARANTINE.
He say that the expense of State quaran-
tine should be paid by the parties interested
that is by the general public, and that fees
for the support of the stations, and the
salaries of the officers should not he exacted
of vessels, the owners of which suffer more
than their share in having their vessels de-
tanned in quarantine while at expense for
the crew and loss of service.
The commissioner is of the opinion that
American sailing or steam vessels should be
allowed to transport goods on which duties
have been secured without further bonds
the vessel being already bonded under the
navigation laws, ,and the present regulations
constituting discrimination against ordi-
nary sailing vessels and steamers of the
United States, not forming part of regu-
lar lines.
THE TONNAGE TAX.
An amendment of the laws relating to
tonnage tax is recommended so that steam
vessels may pay on the same relative ca
pacity as sailing vessels. The present tax
discriminates in favor of foreign vessels.
The commissioner deprecates the many
hardships encountered by ship owners by
reason of the constant change going on in
navigation from sail to steam, from wood
to iron, and from iron to steel, and also by
reason of foreign bounties, subsidies and
aids granted to foreign ships competing
with oul ships both in the merchant service
and fisheries.
FLEECED BY CANADA.
The commissioner says he is especially
wroth that the Canadians should have made
IS, 100000, foolishly given them by the
United States for almost worthless fishing
privileges, making fund, the interest on
which, he says, is paid as a bounty to Cana
dian fishermen competing with our fisher
men, who were already at a disadvantage
on account of greater expense for vessels,
outfits bait and wages. This condition of
affairs, he adds, is in disobedience of the
Bible injunction, not TO seethe kid in its
mothers milk.
He suggests that the present practice as
to steering gear should be made uniform, so
that an order to port on one ship would
not, as is now the case, mean to ''starboard"
on another vessel whose chains are differ
emily rove. The Commissioner expresses
himself strongly in favor of naval re-
serve, and concludes his report with draft
of bill embodying his IDEAS Of the legisla-