The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-22
AMERICAN SHIPPING.

The strongest argument for free ships
used by the Democrats. and considered
by them as conclusive. is that IN an
earlier period of the country's history
when. as they assume. ships We're free.
the tonnage Of registered American vcs-
sells reached very high point compared
with the present. The argument Is
pfelicated upon a fallacy which Mr..
nlngley. OF Maine. points out very
clearly.
That" says the Maine congressman.
sis specimen OF Democratic argu-
ment for free ships. should Judge that
Is the prevailing opinion OF the ad-
voeales of this free ship BILL They
seesa 10 think thar this country had free
salps before the war. and that cur for
essa tonnage has declined because Of
TIE repeal Of that law. As a matter Of
fast. the bill prohibiting foreign ships
from obtaining an American registry
was passed upon the recommendation
of President Washington IL i7s2. and
has been ON the statute books ever
since. There never has been time
since 1899 when foreign ships were ad-
mg.sed 90 American registration. With
she law on tho statute books. this coan-
Try has carried rs aigh as % per cent.
o. ia imports and exports"
The truth II the matter Is that the
inability 81 ttis country 10 compete with
foreign builders arises primarily and ale
most entirely from difference In THE
cost az lator. both in their construction
and running expenses. Advocates -
admitting foreign built ships "a Amesl-
can registry. appear 70 be unaware that
there IS no duty on materials imported
Ter construction OF ships - Ne cui-
pioyea in foreign trade. paulp HlrscA-
born. chef constructor OF the navy. In
discussing this subject recently. gave
tie foaiowlag facts: ''The average
wages In l'rench dcckyards in lSas were
60 cents per day. and in British dock
yards si.sI. For the corresponding time
tho average wages paid IN the navy
yards - the United States was 50 60
IN ether words. wages IN the United
states were Iess dsuble those in Eng
nnd ard gAree and one-haf umes
greater shan thoSe - France"
II il palpabie that without some sort
81 pg0teetion. by subsidy or otherwise.
ships cannot he constructed Ia the
United States IN composition With those
az foreign build. The question: % abIl-
sly - build SHIPS IN this country is no
loncer open 20 discussion II has been
empty demonstrated that the unlsed
states can equal &c not surpass the
world In this branch ot constructive
work. II is simply a matter q dollars
and cents. OF rrotit - losS. American
wogkmen ia Cramps yards received
ahaut 50 per cent. higher wages than
were paid 70 the werknsen Who bu!lt the
CITY ~ Paris and New York ia 0veat
Britaia ARD taat IS TIE highest class *
work n s,sfp building for the merchant
nsarioe. When Il comes to building
''tfensn' vessels or thira-class steamers.
tse difference Is stan more marked 4
VEL hu12 British steamer costs 81 more
a gross ter than these "tra naas. Noae
- shia class are aagt in ehls country.
- t@-- s-ts ~-ttsts71 z.ts tsS2itf.
Wile there are many other 3gs-ss1-
yatEes, suCa IS difference IN taxa
tan. insuraBee. etc operating against
A hulis vessc,s. Il Is. after all. IN
So reanlns esgassses THAI thcy suffer
fsf "a eseape9ig.aa wfth taose x ger-
si8a tailf. and far ihas gaere Is ~ rsn.
s ~ ssisassoa rxeea. thraaxh sahsssly-
~ .fegssssa, G4As ~ sA4sngle tue -.