Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-21
MEN OF MANY MINDS.
Talks With the People on Topics of
Current Interest.
THE NEED OF A NAVAL RESERVE.
George A. BELLY Outlines the Work Of the
- Shipping League.
AFRAID OF THE PRESENT CONGRESS

GEORGE A. Kelly. the wholesale druggist,
is the PENNSYLVANIA Vice President of the
American Shipping League. He is one OF
the few men in Pittsburg who take an
active interest in the work of promoting
the merchant marine and protecting the
home ship-building industry. The associa-
ton has not done anything for some time,
and recently it was reorganized. With the
opening of Congress the league usually be-
gins to hustle, but SO far the results have
not been very satisfactory.
In speaking of their programme yester-
dav, Mr.. Kelly said: "What can we hope
TO accomplish with a Democratic House,
governed by the financial policy that they
have outlined? All that we can do is TO
watch legislation, and try to prevent the
passage of the free ship bill, which would
nullifv all the work we have Gone. One Of
our objects is to protect shipbuildlng, and
If people went abroad TO buy their vessels
the industry would naturally die out at
home.
Where Am erican Ships Are Used.
'At present the coastwise trade is carried
onlv in American bottoms, but 1 sup
nose a free ship bill would hand this
business over TO the army of foreigners who
are now carrying the traffic from this coun-
trv to other lands. The only American
sailors we have are the men trained In the
coast service. In case of war we would
certainly be in bad shape for lack OF men
10 handle the vessels. The league is push
inc the naval reserve bill, which aims to
rectifv this evil.
"A number of the States, however, have
made provision for the training of sailors,
but the reserve law is intended to make the
work national in its scope. New York,
Pennsylvania and think New Jersey have
established training ships in which boys
are given nautical education. A New
York man told me a short time
ago, and it surprised me very much, that
some of the best people in the city are
taking as much interest in the marine serv-
ice as they do in the militia. You know
what a fine organization the Seventh Regl-
ment is? Well, the marines are fast attaining
the same high standing.
A Result of the War Talk.
81 don't know whether the Chilean affair
has had ANYTHING to do in stirring up in
terest in the marine service or not. 1 am
glad to see, however, that the people take
kindly to the navy. Inc militia Is IN goou
condition all over the country, and there is
10 reason whv sailors should not be trained.
In case of war both land and naval forces
would be needed.
Recently some Congressman asked for
information in the House about the mail
subsidy bill with a view of having the law
repealed. 1t was passed in the last Con-
gress, and has scarcely gone into effect.
We are not given an opportunity TO see how
the law will operate before we have to fight
efforts TO repeal it. The league advocates
subsidizing American ships, and we think
that the mail subsidy will do great deal of
good 1t is too bad that our merchant
marine has been allowed to decline through
neglect. The league is prepared to defend
what has been accomplished, and to hope
for more liberal shipping laws and better
things in the future