Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-04
CONGRESS.
Tho Tonnage and Oeean-Msil BIli-The
Diplomatic Bill.
fBy telegraph 10 the Dispstch.l

WAsUNGTov. Z. &C., MayS.-Mr. Frye from
the Committee on Commerce, SAID he was
instructed by that committee to report
two important bills. The first was TO place
the American merchant marine engaged IN
foreign trade on an equality with that OF
other nations. This. he proceeded TO say,
is the bill known as the Shipping-league
tonnage bill. 1t provides for the payment
of thirty cents ton for every thousand
miles sailed, and includes all vessels-iron,
steel, wood, sail. and steam-from 500 tons
upwards. II provides that they shall be
what would be regarded as ships OF very
fine order. IL provides that they shall
carry a certain proportion of American
cltiZens as sailors; that they shall be OFF,
cered by American citizens, and that they
NAV be taken by the Government The
cost OF this bill, according to the Commas
sioner of Navigation, would probably
be for the first year between three and
three and half million dollars, and
would increase in his opinion within SIX
wears to five or six million dollars. The
bill would save to the people of the United
States many millions for every million that
il would cost. 1t has been supported by
resolutions ofinnumerable Boards OF Trade
and Chambers of Commerce. by the Ma
tional Grange, and, l am informed, by the
Farmers National Alliance.
/ also report bill 10 provide for ocean,
mail service between the UnitedStates ana
foreign States, and TO promote commerce.
1t is an original bill. 1t provides that the
Postmaster-General may make contracts
for the carving of the United States mails
in United States ships, owned by American
citizens, between United States ports ana
all foreign ports. He may make con-
tract for not less than five years andtor not
more than ten years duration. Inc Dill
provides for four classes of steamships TOT
which he may contract, the first class beng
steel ships Of a registered tonnage OF not
less than 5000 tons, capable of maintaining
at sea under ordinary weather twenty
knots an hour, and il provides that only
that class of ships shall be used Tor ths
transportation of mails between the Gniteu
States and Great Britain. 1t PROVIDES Ior
q second class of ships OF not less IMAM
five thousand tons register and capable OF
maintaining eighteen knots an hour AZ sea
in ordinary weather; for a third class; Oh
fourteen knots an hour and not less tnau
twenty-five hundred tons, and for iouIth
class, of not less than fifteen hundred tons,
which may be of iron, steel, or WOOD. rS
Tor the first class is not to exceed 30 iIiie
for the second class. 50 !; for the tniru
class, Sl.50, aud for the fourth class, 81.
The vessels of the first three classes are ~
be OF such character that they can os
utilized, in case of foreign war as armed
cruisers.
Mr.. Frye affirmed that within three years
after the passage of this latter biil hhe 1 !.
the best ships in the world, American pull'
and officered, would be running 70 Liver,
pool. another TO the river Platte, SOUTH
America, and two from the Pacifc Coast,
China, japan, and Australia The Two DIE
were read a first and o second uiio anu
placed on the calendar.
Messrs. Vest and Coke, members Of the
Committee on Commerce. announced tneif