New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-21
THE OCEAN MAIL ACT.


mail service will inevitably be received with
ooolness and uncertainty by the steamship COM
NAMES and vessel-o now in the carrying
trade under the American flag. These interests
were disappointed by the failure of the Naviga-
ton Bounty bill, and they have not yet adapted
themselves to the requirements OF the ocean
Mail Service Act. OF the two measures, the
first offered immediate relief to the shipping
interests, which had been suffering from several
decades of National neglect and from the active
connection of foreign subsidized lines, While
the second was creative measure designed TO
increase the efficiency of the American steam
shin service already in existence and to promote
the establishment Of new lines. If the first
measure had been adopted there would have
been QUICK and enthusiastic response from all
the corporations now struggling for existence
against untOward conditions The act which
was passed will compel them to make large In
yestments of capital in the building Of new ships
before they can derive substantial benefits from
IT, 1t may also subject them to competition
from new interests to be created by it. 1t is
less of a relief measure but offers encourage
ment for active measures on their part for i'm
proving their service. The letter published on
another page brings out these points with lucid
ity and force.
II will be natural under these circumstances
for the American lines forming remnant OF
once-powerful commercial marine to be exceed
inglv cautious and deliberate before committing
themselves to the new policy, and earnestly
striving to avail themselves of the opportunities
opened to them. There are some considera-
tons, however, which ought to have great
weight in influencing their decisions after their
managers have had sufficient leisure for reflect
ing upon the situation. The measure which
their representatives and the shipping leagues
advocated was based upon the system OF nayl-
cation bounfIes adopted by France and Italy
While that policy has been useful in developing
the commercial marine of each of those coun-
tries, the results have been somewhat dlsap-
nonfrg. and have excited abroad some contro-
yersv respecting the practical efficiency of the
methods adopted. Indeed, it will be apparent
TO any one who closely studies the commercial
statistics of those nations that more beneficial
results have accompanied the direct payment
Of steamship subsidies when that system has
continued without reference to the bountieS
The German and English Governments are en-
blowing the latter system to a very large ex-
tent, and it may be said to be the preferred
method of promoting the development OF COM
merce now in operation in maritime Europe
The new Shipping Act is grounded upon the
best and most satisfactory experience OF COM
netting nations. 1t is, therefore, less open to
criticism in this country from political oppo-
nents than the Bounty bill would have been,
and is more likely to remain in force for a
long period.
This inherent probability of permanence is
an element to be considered by shipping in
forests seeking to enlarge their investments and
to increase their business. They require rea-
sonable degree of assurance that the new policy
is not tentative measure liable to be modified
and counteracted by hostile legislation. The
payment of navigation bounties was French
and Italian expedent, not sanctioned by Ameri-
can practice. The policy of converting the mail
service into an agency for the development OF
shipping interests was adopted under Demo
cratic Administrations before the Civil War, and
has been sanctioned by maritime Europe. The
new act is grounded upon principles which in
sure its permanenCy and thereby invite tho
confidence of investors. The most rigorous
economist cannot find fault with it, for it is
evident that it will cost less for the Govern
ment to create an auxiliary navy of high speed
by paying well for mail transportation than it
will TO continue indefinitely the construction Of
fast cruisers for the navy. The new act while
it was weakened by the amendments offered TO
il in the House, remains logical and creative
measure. and will yield in due time large in
crease OF transportation facilities under the
American flag.