New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-06
TO BUILD Up THE MERCHANT MARINE.
PROVISIONS OF A BILL TO BE INTRODUCED By
SENATOR FRYE TODAY

SENATOR FRYE TO-DAY.
Washington, Jan. 5.-Senator Frye will introdnce
tomorrow a bill "to promote the postal and COM
mcrcial interest, Of the United statcS.' 1t author
izc, the Po,tmaStcrGcnera to enter into contracts
for term Of years not les, than five nor more than
ten for the carrying Of the mails between the ports
If the United states and foreign ports in iron and
steel American owned and built steamships. The bill
provides also for issuing proposals for the service :
that these steamships shall be oIcercd by American
citizens, manned by crews at least one.hilf OF whom
shall be American citizens. and constructed after the
latest and most improved models. 1t divides the
steamships into two classes, the first, iron or steel
screw steamships. with speed of at least eighteen
nautical miles AN hour and gross registered tonnage
of NOT les than four thousand tons: and vessel
except Of the first ca,, shall bc accepted for said mail
service between the United states and Great
Britain. The second class shall he iron
or steel steamships. not les, than 1000 tons gross
capable Of speed of fourteen nautical miles an hour
II further provides that all steamships hereafter built
for th., purpose shall bc constructed on models ana
c,ordn. 10 plan, and specifications approved by the
secretary Of the Navy and Of sufficient strength and
stability to carry and sustain the operation Of at least
four effective ricd cannon Of "A Calbrc not less than
-lN inches. and to be especially adapted TO cohvcr
sion for transport, or cruisers IN the event Of
war. Ii also provides for the inspection Of all YES
sci, 50 employed heretofore built, the require
mcuts being that an inspector shall certify
that the vessel is suitable for the service required.
The bid provides that the compensation for mail SER
vice by the nr>tcla,, ships shall not exceed 80 mile
for outward voyage, and for the second class ships
not more than - a mile that a United states mail
messenger shall be transported on each ship free Of
charge with the usual cabin accommodation. to receive,
lahc in charge. and deliver the mails to and from the
United states, that officers of the Navy may. with the
consent If the secretary when in his opinion the public
initt I f.a tod fupt,. .fpli
and accept employment these ships. receiving as
pay Through pay and such additional amount the
contractor ana the officer may agree TO; that each
Of these ship, shall take American born boy as
cadet or apprentice for each housand gross reg
l,tcr tons, and one for each majority fraction, who
shall bc ranked petty officer, trained sailor
and receive reasonable pay for his services. The
contains further provision that in the event
f war such steamers may be taken by the United
states for use a. transports cruisers, upon pay-
mcnt to the owners Of the value OF the same, to u
senator Frye Viii also introduce biu for the
cucourag cement OF commerce, the protection OF nVE
ton and the Improvement OF the merchant h'rlic III
the foreign trade This bill Is believed 10 meet the
approval Of the Commissioner OF Navigation; Dut It's
Introduction by Mr.. Frye does not necessarily IMPLY
that All It's provisions are indOrscd by hn. Inc sen
aor doe, however. believe that some of the features
of the bin ought to be added to the Maritime League
t ali vessels, sail or steam, engaged IN the foreign
carry ing trade Shall receive bounty OF one thd OF
navigtcu 1t also provides that the owners Ot YES
sci, aIcadv butt shall receive tie same OhlN 50 long
a. thrV Shall stand inspection and hold character.
1t piuydc, further. for premiums for s"lit ANA safe
sailing. both for sail and steam shIps. Also that
vessel, receiving the said bounty shall, without chdrSc
carr, all mail matter not exceeding 100 pounds re
an red by the Postmaster General. provided t@t such
requirement shall extend to any regular cstab-
.hed routc. Further, that these vessels shall carry
apprentices, train them, etc anu aS an additional III
durcmcnt such vessels shall be relieved from all
tuuuag, duties. IL also contains provision direct
lng the Postmaster General to make contracts for the
of an
ships prescribing the manner Of their construction.
,tc., giving them remuneration additional To that
provid,d for vessels In the bll IL also provides that
To- the President shall be given authority 10 require
that any tle,s steamers shall be built according to
plans aud specifications required 10 make them sulta
ic for naval service. and that these vessels shall be
enrolled naval auNilarics. 1t provides further
that the Government shall give preference To Amcrl-
can vessel, in the carriage of mails, treasure troops.
naval military stores coal ETC.. and that IL shall
bc lawful for citizens of the United states engaged IN
foreign trade and residing abr al To own vessel,
built IN the United states and have them registered "a
vessels of the United states.
Mr.. Frye will also introduce bill to regulate the
salaries Of inspectors Of steam vessels