The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-08-05
THE STEAMSHIP SUBSIDY BILL.

18th, provides for the payment to
any vessel of more than 500 tons
gross register, whether sail or
steam, constructed and wholly
owned by citizens of the United
States, or registered pursuant to
the laws thereof, and which shall
be engaged in the foreign trade,
plying between the ports Of the
United States and foreign ports,
the sum of thirty cents per gross
registered ton for each 1000 miles
sailed; provided that the foreign
port to which the voyage is made
shall be distant more than seventy
miles seward from the Gulf bound
airy of the United States.
The payments at the rate of
thirty cents per ton for each 1000
miles sailed are to continue for the
term of ten years at that rate, and
thereafter for another term of nine
years at reduction of three cents
per ton each year upon each 1000
miles sailed, and pro rata for any
less distance.
No vessel is to be entitled to the
benefits of this act unless it's entire
cargo shall be loaded at port or
ports of the United States, and dis
charged at one or more foreign
ports, or shall be loaded at one or
more foreign ports and discharged
at a port or ports in the United
States; nor shall a vessel be enti-
tied to receive payment under this
act unless it shall have freight On
board at the time of sailing, to the
amount in tons weight or measure
ment, of at least % per centum Of
the net register tonnage, 2,24(
pounds, or forty cubic feet, te
make a ton of cargo. There is tt
be no discrimination between com
peting lines.
The Government of the United
States has the right during the
time this act shall be in force, tt
purchase or charter any vessels
receiving the benefits of this act
at price to be fixed by agreement
with their owners or agents, or by
the judgment of appraisers, mutu
ally selected, in case of disagree
ment.
The Postal Subsidy bill, which
also passed, authorizes the Post
master General to enter into con
tracts for term of not less thar
five nor more than ten years il
duration with American citizens
for the carrying of mails on Amer
lean steamships, between ports o
the United States and such ports
in foreign countries, the Dominion
of Canada excepted, as In his judg
ment will best subserve and pro
mote the postal and commercial
interests of the United States. Sucl
contracts are to be made with tn,
lowest responsible bidders, and tn
Postmaster General is to have tn,
right to reject all bids not in hi
opinion reasonable for the attaining
of the purposes named.
The vessels are to be American
built steamships, owned and Off
cered by American citizens, in con
formity with the existing laws
The steamers may be taken ant
used by the United States as trans
ports or cruisers, upon payment t.
the owners of their fair actua
value.
The Pacific States have an imme
date interest in the success of thes
bills. 1t means the continuance O
the Australian steam line, and will
probably shut off the scheme of tn
Canadian Pacific. The adherence
of the Colonies to the San Fran
cisco route and their payment o
mail subsidies depend upon lik'
action by the Government. B.
these bills American payments will
be confined to American built ships
which will probably result in al
immediate demand for one sucl
vessel to take the place of the Bri
tish-built Zealandia. This is merel,
an illustration of what will soon b.
taking place at the various ports o
the United States under the i'm
petus of the new policy.
The Joran Sisters.