Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-06
NATIONS CAPITAL.
Senator Frye to Introduce Bills
Today
To Promote Postal and Commercial In
tefests Of United States.
Mall Steamers to be American Own
ed, Built. Differed and Manned.

postal and commercial interests of tn,
United States" Ii authorizes the Post
master General to enter ilto contract fo
. term of years, not less than i've or NOR,
than ten, for carrying mails between port
of the United States ard foreign ports il
irou and steel American owned and bull
steam ships. The bill pIsvides for issuin.
proposals for service for letting TO the low
est bidder, publishing in nearly all the
great cities of the United States these pre-
posals. These steamships shall be Off
cered by American citizer. manned by
crews at least half of whom snail be Amer
lean citizens, and shall be constructed aftel
the latest and most improved models
with . speed Of At least eighteen miles an
| hour, gross registered tonnage not less than
1000 tons. No vessel except of first class
shall be accepted for said mail service be-
tween the United States and Great Britain.
Second-class iron or steel steamships to
be not less than 2000 tons gross and cap
able of q speed Of IA nautical miles an
hour; provides that all steamships here
after built for this purpose shall be con-
structed on models according TO plans 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 rihes, cannon
calibre and not less than six inches; to be
especially adapted to conversion for use as
transports or cruisers in the event of war !;
provides for the inspection of all vessels
so employed and heretofore built the in
spector to be appointed by the secretary of
the navy, ard to certify to the postmaster
general that the vessel so employed is suit
able for the service required; provides
that the compensation for the mail service
by first class ships shall not exceed So a
mile for outward voyage, for second-c lass
ships not more than - II mile, and a
United States mail messenger shall be
transported on each ship free of charge.
The officers Of the navy may, with the
consent Of the Secretary, be granted fur
loughs and accept employment on these
ships, receiving as pay furloush pay and
such additional amount as the contractor
and officer may agree to; each of these
ships shall take All Americsn-b0rn boy as
cadet or apprentice, for each 1000 gross
register tons and one for each maj Irity
fraction, whc shall be ranked as petty of
ficer and trained as a sailor, snd receive
It asOnable pay for his services. In the
event of war, such steamers may be taken
by the United States for use as trans
ports or cruisers, upon payment TO
the owners of the value of the
same as sscertained by the appraisal.
Senator Frye will also in produce bull
For the encouragement of commerce,
protection of navigation and improvement
of The merchant marine in foreign trade. /"
1t provides that all vessels, sail or steam,
engaged IN the foreign carrying trade shall
receive bounty of one third Of one mill
per ton gross register measurement for each
mile navigsted. 1t provides that the own
ers of vessels steel aud iron built snall recei1
the same only so long as they stand inspec
ton and hold their character, if wood built,
not lower than the fifth grade = scale OF
six grades in the record of American and
and foreign shipping, or lower than the
fourth grade in a scale of six grades in the
bureau of Veritas register, or lower than
the third grade in q scale of four grades
in LlOyds register of British and foreign
shipping. If iron or steel built bounty
will be paid only for such time as such
vessel shall stand inspection and be graded
not lower than the third cla.s in the record
Of American and foreign shipping; than
the third division in the bureau of Veritas,
and third class in Lloyds register.
Similar provisions touching vessels here
after built. Provides premiums for swift
and safe sailing, both sail and steamships
Vessels receiving said premium shall, with
out charge, carry all mail matter not ex-
ceediug one hundred pounds required by
the Postmaster General, provided such
requirement shall not extend to any regular
established route. These vessels shall
carry apprentices, train them. etc. and as
an additional inducement, such vessels
shall be relieved from all tonnage duties.
The bill contains 4 provision directing
the Postmaster General to make contracts
for carrying mails on established routes in
American ships; prescribing the manner of
their construction, etc. giving them re-
muneration additional to that provided for
vessels il the bill.
Provides that the President shall be given
authority to require any Of these steamers
built according to plans and specifications
required to make them suitable for naval
service, and these vessels be enrolled as
naval suxilliaries.
Provides that the government shall give
preference to American vessels in the car
riage of mails, treasure, troops, naval and
military stores, coal, etc. Goods, wares
and merchandise imported in such vessels
shall have two years ex ensiOn of time in
bonded warehouse at owners option.
1t shall be lawful for citizens of the
United States engaged in foreign trade
while residing abroad, to own vessels built
in the United States and have them regis
tered as vessels of the United States.