Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-15
TOBOOM AMERICANS
The National Shipping and
Industrial League
TO GIVE HARRISON THE TIP
Yankee Sailors, Yankee Ships and
Yankee Interests
MUST RECEIVE q. S. PROTECTION.
Geo. A. Kelly, of the Committee, Tells How
Pittsburg Will Gain
TO GIVE HARRISON THE TIP
lust RECEIVE q. S. PROTECTION.
WHEN ALL SHIPS ARE MADE AT HOME

A committee from the National Shipping
and Industrial League Of America passed
through the Union depot last night en- rout'
for indianapolis, where they intend to wal
upon President-elect Harrison for the pur
pose of giving him pointers in regard to hi
inaugural address.
Tie committee is composed of Andrew
Wheeler, of Philadelphia; George A. Kel
ly, of Pittsburg; H. G. CAM, of Delaware
Colonel Pitkin, of Louisiana; NJ. H. Webb
of New York; Ambrose Snow, of New York
A. f. Higgins, of New York, and A. n
Vanderbilt, of New York.
These gentlemen were appointed at the
fourth annual convention of the National
Shipping and Industrial League, held in
Washington from January 80 until Febru'
ary l.
Mr.. G. A. Kelly, who has been frequent
delegate to the conventions Of the league
from the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce,
and who, in consequence of the interest he
has taken in their object, has been elected
Vice President twice. gave a DISPATCH
representative yesterday a statement as to
the ends the league have in view, and in
what manner they hope tointerest the Presi-
dent-elect in their behalf.
THEIR SPLENDID SCHEME.
The members of the league have made il
their task to revive the shipping and marine
interests of the United States for the purpose
of promoting, developing and distributing
the products of American labor by an ex-
tension of the merchant marine of this
country, and to establish thereby more init
pate commercial intercourse with other
countries by frequent and direct mail
service.
They argue that to-day the products OF
American labor aud manufacture, the
products of American soil, and the exports
as well as imports from and to this country
generally, are in the hands of foreigners.
They say American mail, instead of being
carried by ships flying the American flag
is entirely in the hands of European Gov
ernments. Then the league proves that
while 100 years ago American ships, with
the American flag, were known as traders
in all the waters of the globe, there are
scarcely any noticeable anywhere to-day.
The members of the league will draw the
attention of General Harrison to the fact
that England, France, Germany, Italy and
Spain subsidize their ships so that in case
of necessity, such as war, they can make
them part and parcel of the Government
service Such state of affairs, if it were
to happen to-day, would have such an effect
upon America as would produce
NOTHING LESS THAN A PANIC.
And for the reason that her commerce is
not protected, America has no ships of her
own. Consequently, if the foreign ships,
which now, perforce, have to do the duty of
transporting American products, were
called in by their own Governments, and
taken away from American waters, Amer
lean commerce would be at a standstill.
That is one of the greatest reasons why
American shipping should be revived.
Then it will be pointed out what facilities
America has for shipbuilding. 1t is we'll
known fact that the fastest and best ships
are built in America, and the committee of
the league will with pride point to the May
flower, Volunteer and the Puritan as model
flyers. Again, it is stated that ship build
ing will revive an industry that will en-
ploy thousands of laboring men, because
the cost of every ship entails IS per cent of
its price to wage earners.
A great advantage to the Government will
accrue by the revival of the Merchant Ma
rine on this account. 1t is an appalling,
but nevertheless welI-substantiated fact
S1,oT sp he
were to be forced into an embroglio with a
foreign power, its resources to recuperate
her disrupted navy would be very slim.
YANKEE sEAMEN DEMANDED.
But the league committee claims, and
General Harrison will so be told, tn at the
seamen of a merchant marine, could be
transformed into very serviceable naval
soldiers in very short time. Anyhow,
they would know how to handle ship.
which would be of the greatest advantage.
"These are some of the points," Mr..
Kelly stated, (which the committee of the
National Shipping and Industrial League
will impress upon General Harrison.
"It is our hope" he continued, "that the
President-elect will mention the matter in his
inaugural address, and also in his first let
ter to Congress, if the matter has not been
attended to before. 1t is of the utmost
necessity the Government should take the
matter in hand, because, without that it
could never be accomplished.
'How the revival of National Merchant
Marine would benefit Pittsburg is easily
seen, when we consider that here the steel
and other materials essential in the manu-
iacture OF ships are produced
A gentleman referring to that point has
written to Mr.. Kelly urging him to organ
ize a local branch of the league in this city,
and if he meets with sufficient cooperation
for the furtherance of the scheme the branch
will very shortly be established.