The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-08-28
WHY OUR SHIPS ARE Off.
The Cause Of the Decline i'm the
Merchant Marine.


we merchants 1T Boston. AMI n,,h.
ltsaed IN the RsgaAl az that city. rels.
siFe TO The decline OF American shin
ping. The questions and Mr.. Hillss
answers are a. follows.
l. Has the protective tariff had
any effect IN causing or retardinr this
state Of things and ii so. in wha, wsy ~
No; the tariff has nothing 10 do
with the question. because we have
the raw material of best quality AZ
home. and which amounts 10 only (
pei cent. in shiphaildins cost. the a.
per cent being a question of interest
II American labor OF over $40 differ
ent industries. Let our workingmen
answer whether they viii give up the
protection of their interests and Weld
II to the foreigners.
:. IF this result has been due 10 the
rayages Of Confederate cruisers dur.
inc the civil war, why has the de-
straeison gone on with inc reased force
ever since the war ended -
Why, as 10 Confederate cruisers de-
stroying American shipping. ii is an
Insult 10 the enterprise al our people
10 ask eur naval o iiscers il American
shipping vas knocked cut of existence
by Confederate cruisers. Ask the
American people generally ii all enter
prsSe. genius aud pluck we're driven
our 81 their brain and spirit hy Con-
iesiefste cruisers. Ii j. an hypothesis.
J. Why DO American ship-owners.
especially those sailing steamers OF
snapsovea types. prefer 10 sail under q
horeign tiages
Because England pays better. Ameri-
can shsp~owneTS wouid. OF course. pre-
Ter sailing under the American flag il
's were not sar the fact that the British
government gives hy far more par for
carrying the mails, sundry perquisites.
emoiuments. and thus afford a living
chance. They do rot prefer the flag.
IL is an hypothesis.
4. What Inducements. If any ara
held cat by Great Britain 10 Influence
Foreigners to sail vessels under her
dag -
substantial and positive. This is
the same question, only put differ
emily. The Inducements are, in adj
dltion 20 subsidy, privileges and as
above specified. also preferences un-
der the rating of the British i.lovds In
the ship and on freights, advantages
IN insurance, banking. wages of
sailors and many benefits rendered
under the British hag in averaging
aud adjustments. The profits are
greater and the risks less, and they
pay tramp" ship tn run off an
American merchantmen whenever
necessary.
II you doubt il. try II. This is the
only question that Is not an hypofhe-
sis.
s. Why should our ship-builders
he protected To the extent of prohibit
Ing the importation of foreign-huil
vessels. while competing products in
all either departments OF industry
may be imported and used upon pay
meut OF duly7"
They have never been. There Is no
protection TO silip-huiiding and ship
builders have never asked il. but IL is
protection 10 ship.owners that rs
needed. and protection 10 ship-owners
u life to them. life To ship. builders
and life TO every industry in our coun-
try and also prosperity, pride and
pV wer to our people.
Almost every industry has been
protected. shipping is not and has
not been, for even when solemn ma
iional contract has been male the
United States government has really
been defaniter and repudiated such
contract. To the amusement. delight
and benefit uf foreign nations. To i'm
ply that shipping has been protected
II an hypothesis aud must be pro-
nounced even worse-it Is false.
q. Why has an industry protec-
tel 10 sach an extent almost ceased to
exist. while in England il Is highly
prosperous ?"
Another repeated hypothesis, Amer
lean shipping has not been protected.
English shipping has always been pro-
tecied. Why. British statesmen will
enjoy this Joke immensely. In evil
dence ! may with propriety tell you
OF general conversation st dinner
gwen TO Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain in
Washington when he was here two
years ago, He and his secretary were
discussing economies with the other
distinguished ministers OF foreign
legations aud other invited guests,
y hen the point was made by our
English friend thus wise: How
strange Il Is that YOU Americans are
such strong protectionists for ysur
industries anu vet sncb strong free
traders in your shipping, while we In
England are such strong free traders
for Our industries and yet such strong
proiecilonists for our British ship
pingY" | am prepared to prove this.
The man Who says American shipping
has been protected" pronounees
himself unworthy OF your condolences,
as be renders hims ell ridiculous TO the
worid. The question Is weak hy-
pothests.
7. As few modern iron or steel
ships are built ia this country or
sailed under our flag, what class of
our people would be injured by allow
ing American owners of foreiKfa-bnilt
vessels OF this sifad 10 take ont AmeFi-
can registers"
Every man. woman and child. by
allowing foreign. built ships to take
ont an American registry the national
government would be robbed Of vast
amount OF circulating currency. Of
interest paid and OF prosperity 70 our
people. \ real panic. Indignation.
strikes. riots and failures would re-
suit. Farmers, manufacturers and
laisorers would he robbed, and worse
than all. our national honor would he
,iisgraesd Who or where IL the
American Who wants TO see the stars
and stripes floating over foreign In
dustries A. II ia ackno siedgment thne
American genius. American enter.
prise and American glory were dexdY
furi the noble banner before dis
grazing IL before the world.
s. Are you in favor OF the present
system. which allows material Of for
sign origin for use In the construct ton
Of antiquatsl wooden sailing ships
for the foreign trade 10 be- imported
free ot duty, while almost every thing
used in the construction Of modern
steel vessels il subject 20 . heavy
tariff tai and. II 50. Why"
Who wrote these au@stionsf Does
be not knos that sections 1.5i3 ara
2.Sii of oar United States stafutee
admit free of duty all such articlesT
Hut there Il nothing Of any suaountos
account that comes In. because they
are not wanted. The whole amount
Is sos, Insignificant 20 notice.
Mr.. Hi. closes his letter with Inc
assurance that IL wiil give him pleas
ur- 90 reply more specifically ~ any
further points in he conditions o.
TIE American shipping.
Their Were In Proper ~er1s
A@m T@~k WNFf1