The morning call., 1890-05-04
THE STEAMSHIP QUESTION.

California has been disappointed at not
hearing from the project to establish steam
navigation between San Francisco and
Valparaiso. The Psn-Americans recon-
mended the scheme, but the recommends
ti0n like SO many others passed un-
noticed. New York papers, which assail
subsidies on principle, did not even think
it worth sneering at Now comes Senator
Frye from the Senate Committee on Com
merce, and introduces bill authorizing
the Postmaster-G General TO conclude ten
year contracts for carrying the mails to
foreign ports in American vessels sailing
under the American flag, on such terms as
he sees fit. 1t is, of course, understood
that the phrase " for carrying the mails
is designed TO cover a subsidy equivalent to
the annual sum which the vessels would
luse if they were dependent on ordinary
traffic for their support.
1t is yet too soon to decide whether Fryes
bill viii command majority in Congress.
The prejudice against steamship subsidies
Is general, and inland States, which would
like the Government to lend them money on
their produce. may see no merit in a scheme
winch, primarily, viii benefit seaboard
cities Practically, the object which is
sought by Blaine, namely, the capture of
the South and Central American trade,
which is now monopolized by Europe, can
only be achieved by offering to steamship
owners-in one shape or another-an in
ducement TO run steamers between ports
which at present have no merchandise to
exchange and no passenger intercourse.
We can only get the trade we are after
by furnishing transportation for it; and
chat can only be done by an arrangement
which, call it what you may, will be in
reality a subsidy. The practical question
for Congress is whether it is not worth the
nations while to spend a small sum of
money annually to secure a market which
would absorb the surplus goods we are pro-
ducing, and so obviate future commercial
crises with their accomplishments in the
shape of strikes and idle workmen. 1t is
peFhens the most momentous quesSSn now
pending beIbre the national Legislature.
The various commercial bodies in the
leading cities - chambers Of commerce,
boards Of trade, associations of steamship
owners and companies engaged III trans
pertation-OWe it to themselves to see that
Congress is properly informed on the sub
ject and does not act unwisely from want
of knowledge. Our Chamber of Commerce
and such steamship-owners as John d.
f0pAONhCiS ~ W. 0oOudliJ olhluo % w.
and the Pacific Mail should take pains that
the advantages to be derived from the es-
adjustment of a steamship line from San
Francisco to Valparaiso, touching at the
intermediate ports, are fully and clearly
laid before members Of both houses. Such
line would confer upon the East even
greater benefits than it would bestow on
this port. 1t would throw open to Eastern
man ufacturers the markets of Western
Mexico, Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica,
Colombia, Ecuador. Peru and Chile. These
nations would in time prove large and lib
eral consumers. But the truth must be
hammered into the heads of Congressman,
Or there is fear that they may give the sub
ject the go-by from vague fear that their
motives may be suspected.