Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-30
TRADE CONFERENCE.
Meeting of the Commercial
Convention.
MUCH ENTHUSIASM DISPLAYED.
Congress Urged to Subsidize Steam
ship Lines and Provide
Coast Protection.

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD. !
SAN Francisco, August 29.-The Com
mercial Conference, which was called by
the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
some time ago, met here this afternoon.
The organizations represented were the
San Francisco Produce Exchange,
Manufacturers Association, Chamber of
Commerce, Board of Trade, California
State Board of Trade, and the Chambers
of Commerce Of Los Angeles, San Diego
and Eureka. Several Of the
States representatives in Congress
were present, and letters were
received from others. The committees
appointed some time ago to prepare pa
pers upon various subjects submitted
their reports.
The first report submitted was upon
the subject of the encouragement OF
maritime commerce and increased ener-
gy in the construction of a navy. The
report is very long and enters largely
into trade statistics, showing how the
Oultou otalcS staHuo iouItn IL ihhA
among the great commercial nations of
the world. The report urges that the
other American countries and the
Australian colonies would be glad
to have closer trade relations with
the United States if better transportation
facilities were provided. 1t suggests
that the law should by repealed requir-
ing vessels in foreign trade to be built
and owned in America before being
registered. 1t appeals to Congress to
adopt measures which will secure por-
tion of the worlds commerce, remuner-
ative employment for the people and
perfect security from foreign aggression.
The next report submitted was upon
the. prompt construction of the
Nicaragua canal as means OF national
defense and commercial development.
The report declares that it would be q
National crime to permit any European
power to obtain such an advantage as
that which would be derived by the
United States by the prompt construction
of this canal. Its importance as a naval
station and a means of quick passage
from the eastern to the western coast of
America, as well as its commercial ad-
vantages is pointed out.
Resolutions we're submitted requesting
the States representatives in Congress
to aid in the construction OF the Nicar.
aqua canal by any proper legislation.
A lengthy report was also submitted
on the marine defenses of the Pacific
Coast ports. The fact is developed that
the present Notifications are reproach
to the wisdom and statesmanship of the
country, and it was stated that in the
event of war the Pacific Coast would be
at the mercy of any foreign power. Con-
gress is urged to make beginning
towards proper coast defenses at the ear
liest moment
Another report was on the subject OF
establishing and maintaining permanent
ocean mail steamship lines. The first
reference was to the mail service of San
Francisco and Vancouver with China and
Japan. The Canadian Pacifc's three
steamers are subsidized at the rate of
nearly 5000 per round trip for each
steamer, while the eight steamers OF the
two American companies running from
San Francisco are allowed $400 apiece for
the round trip. The report declares that
statement of this fact is enough to con-
denim the parsimonious policy of our
Government in respect to ocean com.
merce, and to excite admiration for the
liberal and progressive policy of England
and Canada.
Among other striking features pre-
sented is the fact that the Australion and
New Zealand mails to and from San
Francisco are carried by an American
steamship company, which receives
$24 900 yearly from the Hawaiian Gov
ernment, 100000 from Australia and
New Zealand, and about $4, 900 from the
United States, which latter gum has
lately been increased to SAT 900 owing to
tho dissatisfaction of the New Zealand
Government.
Resolutions were submitted calling
upon Congress to enact neces-
sary laws and appropriate q suf-
fcient sum of money to enable
American steamship lines to compete
with foreign subsidized lines running to
China and Japan, South American ports,
New Zealand and Australia and Mexican
Central American and British Columbian
ports. The resolutions also favor the
adoption of the French scale of naval
construction and naval bounties for
ships provided, that all ships be built
with view to being enrolled in the
naval reserve list.
all reports and resolutions submitted
were referred to committee. Another
session of the conference will be held to-
morrow.