The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-14

long term of years wholly removed, II seems
jlftitabie 10 give the shipping interest some
artificial stimulus and support TO counterfeit
ihi~ depressing influence.
!, however. do not agree that the tariff Is the
sole cause of the decline Of our merchant
marine engaged in foreign trade, and will
later on eudeayOr to show other difficulties
which have 10 be overcome and additional
reasons why the support sought Is peculiarly
necessary and iustlhable.
HISTORY OF SUBSIDIES.
But to pursue the subject in the order Of
your editorial. you next refer % the
history of subsidies and doubt whether the
bill viii produce the desired effect. As 10
some OF tine cases cited by You -to-Wit: that
OF Italy and France -itwould appear that de-
cline of the shipping interest had already SET
in 20 call for these subsidies as remedial
measures, and that the decline continued not
on account of. but IN spite of the subsidies.
Certainly this was the case with France,
whose merchant marine commenced "a de-
crease A. early as 1873. whereas the bounty
act commenced 20 take effect not before
1881.
I'm the case Of Germany the growth Of the
shipping interest was due. | believe. princl-
pally To- natural causes. 10 which | shall refer
later ON: but it seems that country, In cases
where her steamship lines were of sufficient
importance and not sclf-sustaining, rendered
them the necessary aid by means OF subsl-
dies.
! am not sufficiently acquainted with the
navigation laws of Norway 70 answer the ar
glments drawn from that source. except IN q
general way. but II the Norwegian laws opera
ted equally and without discrimination, | am
az a loss % understand why their existence, If
providing for a subsidy, should discourage
ship-bulldlng, or why their repeal should
encourage IL. We sl)ud also bear IN mind
that IN discussing this question it does not do
10 consider the tonnage capacity of the vessels
alone. but 10 must De stated whether they are
Gteam Or~all. ~ the effective tonnage during the
period mentioned by YOU increase SO rapidly
by the substitution OF steam for sail vessels "a
steamer averaging five times as many trips rs
"a sail .casc that 10 Is highly probable the e.
fectye tonnage OF some countries granting
subsidies has increased almost rs rapidly as
that of Norway.
Now that the cable and steam make it 50
much moro practicable for the bottoms of one
nation 20 do the carrying trade Of another,
and bring the ships OF almost every maritime
nation into competition with each other. it
j, quite certain that these changes We observe
of the decrease or increase OF the merchant
marine OF different countries are largely due
10 natural causes.
An excess of capital and population over the
natural resources Of the country for their en-
plOyment: an extensive coast line with good
harbors. or extensive colonial possessions, an
abundance Of ship-buildng material rlgOr-
on. climate and unyieldmg soil. making the
struggle tor existence hard are all conditions
favorable 70 the Development of a shipping
interest and II viii bee found IN Great Britain.
Norway Sweedcn. Denmark. the Netherlands,
and our own continent IN Canada, ana the
New England States, o. In short, IN all cOuI-
tries where the shipping interest Is large IN
proportion % population and other interests.
that two or moro OF these conditions referred
L. exist and such countries can build and
navigate vessels cheaper than nations or peO-
pie blessed by nature with richer resources
on land. An American ship of the same tom
mage and with same crow, cargo and rates ot
freight would lose money where a Norwegian
would save it, and all things being equal, the
Norwegian would finally drive the American
from the trade
II would therefore seem, both from artificial
causes growing ont OF the tariff and natural
causes. our merchant marine for foreign trade
(the coastwise being protected sadly needs
some stimulus or support, and the question
recurs, Does this measure afford IT,"
rHE BILL ITSELF.
The bill itself is the fairest Of the kind ever
proposed. without distinction as TO port, line
or character of vessels, 50 IL be over 800 tons.
1t grants this necessary aid TO all based upon
the tonnage and length II voyage. with this
modification only, that between all steamers
making eleven knots per hour and all
sail vessels eleven knots and under
per hour, and those making the highest
rate Of speed. there IS rising
scale of compensation, according 10 speed OF
from 2Oc. the minimum bounty, to the maxi
mum Of soc. per 1000 miles, and this Is per-
fectly justiiabie. rs the cost OF construction.
equipment and navigation Of vessel Increases
rapidly with any increase OF speed, and Dc
cause the vessels OF high speed would be much
more seryiceable in ease of need by the Gov
eminent. The bill also provides that vessels
receiving thefb0unty shall carry the mails
free when required 60 do 50.
|. therefore, do not see the ground FOR your
conclusion that il Is extremely doubtful whetl-
er the bill will accomplish anything beyond IN
increase Of the income 10 those lines already
making handsome profits, first for the reason
that know OF few If any, such lines under
our flag, most Of the lines being English, Ger
man aud French; and. second, because the
field Il equally open t. as should the bill pass
ii We have the enterprise TO enter II.
PROTECTION FOR sHIP-BUu.DISG.
II, as has often been claimed, Richmond Is
50 well suited 10 ship-building. the establish
ment OF such an industry here would give EN-
ployment 10 many mechanics aud create q
new demand for coal, iron. timber, and other
products. 90 that not only Richmond but the
whole state would be- benefited. And the
same NAV be said Of either Norfolk
or Newport News. think II equally
fallacious to suppose the shipper would
get no benefit. The foreigners. say tho
NorwegiaTs or British, II they continue
50 rapidly 10 build ships must lind them pront-
able, and, therefore, ii brought into competi-
ton with the American vessels, ENJOYING
bounty whether for American or otnef caf-
goes, would be willing 10 reiinquisn 10 the
shipper part OF the profit rather than abandon
the 1eId, and the Americans would have To
meet the decline in rates. at least 10 some ex-
tent. aud 10 that extent would he divide his
bounty 10 the shipper.
BExEyrrs or AarRIoAs BOTTOMS.