New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-22
TO BENEFIT AMERICAN SHIPPING.
FAVORABLE ACTION Of Az IMPORTANT MEAS
IRE TAKEN BY THE HOUSE MERCHANT
MARINE COMMITTED.

FAVORABLE ACTION Of AN IMPORTANT MEAS
IRE TAKEN By THE HOUSE MERCHANT
MARINE COMMITTEE
Washington. Dec. 2.--Thc House Committee on
Merchant Marine and Fisheries to-day ordered
favorable report upon measure Of great impor-
lance to those engaged In the shipping trade Inc
bill removes the present limits Of per cent for
crew space and OF 80 per cent for all deductions
including prope.ling power. The removal Of these
limitations conduces to the comfort and health or
crews and to the construction Of speedy vessels
1t prescrlbes that spaces for the berthlng OF the
crew shall be constructed and cared for with re-
gard 70 the health and comfort Of the men. There
is now statutory regulation In this country gov
orn!ng the construction and space Of the quarters
OF the crew The various deductions for propeli.nS
power, sail room. navigation spaces. etc. correspond
with the deductions permitted by Great Britain
and Norway ard other nations.
1. is proposed that the bill shall go into effect
on the first day Of July. The owners Of vessels
documened before that date are thereafter to nave
the option OF avaiiing themselves OF its dement's
or retaining their present certificates Of measure
ment. Provision Is made for an international ap-
perdIx designed to give American vessels In foreign
ports the full advantage Of any decrease in net
tonnage which may be established hereafter by the
laws OF other nations. Under the French law net
tGHGaw w and BY eans 6P the @ pTop@s
the Treasury Department can secure Tor american
vessels any benefit which may accrue from moH-
ncit.ons OF foreign measurement laws. LIS pro pro-
vision has been incorporated In distinct ni. liYuse
regular sd9. which has already been reported py
the committee. a.
member Of the committee. Ia discussing M
bill said that the measurement laws OF the nltel
States are based the measure uienl laws ol Orc
Britain. but since their enactment, May b. 1871 an
amendment August . lN2. the law ~ Great b'ltdi u
has been modified IN various PARTICULARS SuSt sic
hy changes and advances IN methods ~ ship-bui'I-
ing Other maritime nations as RUE. nave ioI-
lowed this example. but this country mas made no
ADVANCE since lss2 The bill brings The laws 81 me
United states into substantial accord with the law
OF Great Britain ana other Powers. l. does not
siderable reductions IN net tonnage Net tonnagt -
tho basis on which many NAVIGATION charges are I'M
posed both al home and abroad The n,t tonnhs.
Of steamship ascertainci according 10 thr - - NJ
law u the United states. s. much greater t"An ne
not tonnage o! the vessel ascrriAln'd accp.
ng 10 the law Of Great Britain. Consequently hnieT
tho law Il the United States vessel is required Al
home AMI abroad 10 pay heavier charges. ~ 50 itf
a. such charges are based on net tonnage. W ME
ether nations allow American vessel to b" IN as
ur.l according their -prctlNe laws ana thus -
Obtain the benefit - low net tonnage ana lower
taxes SIN this involves delay and expense. and the
custom O., American masters appears - Do 10 pay
charges on the tonnage stated In their American
registers =, .,.t. 49,,
Tho reduction OF net tonnage proposed by this hill
vii In fr.ct reduce the operating expenses ~ every
American vessel engaged hereafter IN 'oreign trade.