Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-11

Thursdays meeting Of the Board
Of Tra1e was an extremely interesting
one. During all of the latter part of the
session attention was given TO the ques-
tion of the needs of Wilmington and
what should be done to put some new
manufacturing and business life into it.
In reply to President w. ID. Mullen's
inquiry for committee reports Chairman
Mark Nj. Cleaver of the committee on
districting the city for fire purposes,
said that he had seen Chief Robinson on
the subject. The latter stated that the
majority of the city companies were in
favor Of the proposition. Mr.. Cleaver
otherwise reported progress.
President Mullen stated that he and
Mr.. Taylor had experienced most
profitable trip in their visit to the
convention of the National Board of
Trade convening recently in Washing
ton. II was the largest meeting for the
past % years and representatives from
Maine to Oregon were present.
The National Board of Trade, Mr..
Mullen continued, has undoubtedly
great influence in the legislative halls at
Washington. When tho question of the
tonnage act was being discussed the
chairman and members Of the congress
L sional committee having charge of the
Nmatter called and asked the privilege of
1.-THE floor in order to join in the discus
asion. Daniel w. Taylor of this city, Mr..
Mullen said, made an excellent ad-
tlress to the convention on the
snecessity for the relief of Ameri-
can shipping. In his address
he claimed that what was wanted was
hot cheap labor but something that
would help in the building of the ships.
Ie asked for bounty. All European
countries he claimed give bounty.
This included England although she
nave hers indirectly. Great Britain
allows all ship supplies free of tax and
also everything that goes to the building
Of ship. This is allowed in tax re.
bate. William Lawton injected the
suggestion just here that he was under
The impression that manufacturers here
get drawback on their products or on
some of them.
lF 1t was stated that this government re-
lief was not so much needed in the
/ building Of vessels as to keep them
going when once afloat. The aid. IS
/. specially needed in building up the
coasting trade.
n President Mullen thought there was
4 no reason why our vessel constructors
should not build, as do the English, the
vessels known rs tramp steamers which
carry on successfully so much of the
general freight business of the world
TRAMP STEAMERS CAN BE BUILT JUST
M AS cIIEArLY HERE.
t 1t is asserted that Mr.. Cause had
stated that tramp steamers can be built
just as cheaply here in Wilmington as
in the Clyde yards.
A Mr.. Talyor--"Colonel Snow stated
that France gained rs per cent last year
through paying subsidies. 1t was claimed
81 that with subsidy of $5,000,000 trade
could be got back to the American flag
( in 10 years
Mr.. Lawton-"Doubtless while Mr..
Cause can build iron ships as cheaply
as the Clyde builders our merchants
have to compete against the light wages
paid scamen on foreign vessels. He
thought the government might as well
subsidize vessels as men who fought in
the war;"
President Mullen's idea was that aid
should be giyenin building medium sized
freight steamers. That was the feeling
at the Washington meeting. The Ton
mage bill as now before Congress or a
similar one would do.
MIR: Taylor referred to the marked
fact of the manner in which the western
representatives fought each for his own
city. Milwaukee stoutly contested
Chicago. They are entirely independent
of the east when elamoring for con
gressional attention. He thought it a
good suggestion for Wilmington to stand
on its own bottom and to clamor for
lDelaware's interests. He reported that
the State representatives in Washington
are doing excellent service in regard to
the desired harbor Improvements.
MIR. Lawton--"l hope you gentlemen
told them what Wilmington has done
and can do in building steamships and
yachts and what we need here"
MIR. Taylor-"Oh yes, they heard
from us"
ABOUT RAILROAD LOBBYISTS.
Chairman Mullcn-"R "Rairoad lobby
lists were at Congress all the time fight
ing for their interests against the mer-
chants and the producers But Congress
is gradually showing desire for ex-
tending equal attention and rights to
the mercantile community. The time
is fast coming when the railroad corpor-
ations will not be so uniformly sue
cessful In gaining their contests.
-- HARBoR IMPROVEMENT.
Mr.. Mullen regretted that the board
had not presented some formal resolu.
tions to the National Board of Trade
endorsing Wilmington's request to gov
ernment in its needs for harbor improve
ment. The advantages of such an en-
dorsement can only be realized by those
who have attended the meeting. 1t inn
mediately throws the demand on ma
tional attention and constitutes an i'm.
mense impetus towards success.
On the motion of Mr.. Clcaver q vote
of thanks was passed to the president
and Mr.. Taylor for the local interest
they had betrayed in their visit tc
Washington.
Mr.. Mullen said that the fault of the
small attendance which is characteristic
of the recent meetings of the board is
due to the members belonging TO the
association but who do not attend the
meetings. He would like to ask whether
it is the fault of those who do attend ol
of those whose duty it is to attend bu
who do not.
A PROPER CONDENSATION.
Mr.. Reed quickly rejoined: "Mr
Chairman, am glad to hear you say so
was just going to mention that l have
heard people talk in a very cheap way
about the Board of Trade meetings. i