Evening journal., 1889-02-14
THE MERCHANT MARINE.
A Local Division of the American Ship
ping and Industrial League to be Organ
ized In This City.

A meeting Of the heads of the depart
ments Of the Harlan and Hollingsworth
Company and representatives Of the
American Shipping and Industrial
League, was held in the rooms of the
Builders Exchange last evening to hear
plan for local organization, proposed by
Colonel Robert g. Wood Of New Orleans,
La. Lack Of time prevented notice Of
the meeting being sent to the other ship
yards of the city. Between thirty and
forty persons were present.
Thomas johnson of the Harlan and
Hollingsworth Company, was made chair
man Of the meeting and W. H. Fairlamh
Of the same company secretary.
H. t. Cause, vice president of the
Harlan and Hollingsworth Company
stated that the meeting was one of con.
ference to consider the forming of local
auxiliary of the American Shipping and
Industrial League. After four years of
agitation and work the organizers Of the
movement had succeeded in getting a
tonnage bill before Congress. The
bill proposes a subsidy Of 30 cents a
ton per annum for every 1000
miles run, to all American vessels engaged
in the foreign trade. The bill has been
defeated twice, but the present admins
tration is committed to it. Thirty years
ago American ships carried 20 per centum
of the worlds commerce; now but IA per
centum. Mr.. Cause, in closing, intro
dnced Colonel Wood, who is a nephew Of
Jefferson Davis and grandson of General
Zachary Taylor.
Colonel Wood stated the plans Of local
leagues as having small membership fee
"A n al ~ ttuf
efiecting legislation. He spoke of the
endorsement which the work receives
from men of every business relation.
Washington Hastings endorsed all
that Colonel Wood said and spoke briefly
on the plans for che advancement of the
American Merchant Marine.
George w. Stone suggested that all
the industries Of the city, interested in
shipbuilding be represented at a meeting
to be held at a future time, and strongly
advocated the organization of local
league. He gave reasons for the decline
OF the American ship building interests,
and referred to the helpless condition of
the American navy. The present condi-
tion of things, said Mr.. Stone, will
continue until we have larger merch-
ant marine.
AhAs 6NoAt AAhNCu bHhb RIhNiSlOndi
committee of seven be appointed to ar
range and call general meeting of those
interested, for the purpose of organizing
Wilmington division of the National
Shipping and Industrial League. The
motion was carried.
Mr., Cause then introduced Watson R.
Sperry, editor of The Morning News,
who presented another phase of the sub
jeet.
Mr.. Sperry spoke ON the matter Of a
naval reserve, describing the features of
the plan which has been proposed.
He referred to the bill pending in the
New York Legislature and advocated
action on similar bill in the Legislature
of this state. Mr.. Sperry offered to fur
nish documents on the subject to any one
who desired to look into it.
The chairman suggested that he be al
lowed to appoint the committee at his
leisure, so as to include on it gentlemen
from the other shipping Industries and
establishments Of the city. He was SO
directed.
The meeting then adjourned subject to
the call of the chairman.