The evening times., 1895-08-17
FOR Al AUXILIARY HIVI|
Effect Of the Subsidy Act On
the American Marine.
TRIAL OF THE ST. LOUIS

| u NOIle 1INO tn0 Z Obu- w hAhB AAAC
Law Is Hoped to Bring About
Great School for Seamen and
Officers.
The forthcoming speed trial of the Amer
ican Line steamship, St. Louis, II looked
upon by naval officers as an event fraught
with great Significance. No particular
interest attaches itself to the speed which
the big liner may develop, for it is con.
ceded that in all requirements she came
| up to the specifications of the subsidy act.
| but in her acceptance under the provisions
| of that law is marked the beginning Of an
| auxiliary navy, a fleet which in time win
cooperate with the navy which the United
States is rapidly building.
1t is supposed by many perfons that con-
tracts for carrying the ocean mailsunder the
act of March 8, 1891 known as the subsidy
act, are exclusively in the interest OF the
steamship companies to whom contracts
may be awarded, with no other benefit to
the government than that to be derived
from the carrying of its mails In the best
ships of their respective classes.
INV Ao1SANo OE 4AA6 ava
This, no wever, Is an error. The act which
provides for ocean mail service between
the United states and foreign ports and to
promote commerce" was enacted March 8,
1891. 1t authorizes the Postnlaster-GeD-
eral to contract with citizens OF the United
States for carrying the mails on American
steamships to such foreign countries as,
In his judgment, will best suhserve and
promote the postal and commercial inter
ests of the United States, the service to be
equitably distributed among the Atlantic,
Mexican, Gulf, and Pacific ports.
In addition to being OF American regis
ter, eligible vessels must be owned aud Of
ficered by American citizens, and provision
is made that certain proportions OF their
crews shall be American citizens. The
contracts run for peeriods of five and ten
yeays, respectively. During the first two
years OF the contract on each departure,
the vessels are required to have crews Of
whom at least one-fOurth shall be Ameri-
can citizens; during the next three yeaB
this proportion of American citizens
must be one third, and during the remain
ing time of the contract at least onc-half
must be Americans.
The vessels must be Of the most advanced
modern type. Those of the first three
classes must be constructed OF iron or steel,
and the minimum speed of each class is
prescribed. That of the first class must be
capable OF maintaining q speed OF twenty
knots an hour at sea in ordinary weather
and have a gross registered tonnage Of not
less than 8 900 tons. Vessels OF the
second class must be able to maintain
sixteen knots an hour and be at least 8 600
tons. Vessels of the third class must be able
to maintain q speed Of fourteen knots and
at least $500 tons. Those of the fourth |
class may be constructed Of iron steel or |
wood, have n gross registered tonnage OF |
not less than / 500 tons and capacity for |
q speed of twelve knots at sea |
In ordinary weather.
SUBJECT TO THE NAVY.
These requirements are designed TO in
sure the carrying of the mails in the best
vessels of their class owned and officered
BY American citizens and the crews of
which must be composed OF a good pro-
portion of Americans. But there are other
requirements which do not go with the
,arrying of the mails, but which are even
more important to the Government in the
immediate advantages provided and the
/
nents will certainly promote in the near
uture.
The act rpovide sthat all vessels of the
'irst three classes ..shall be constructed
With particular reference to prompt aud
conversion into auxiliary naval
,r,iisers, and according to plans and specifi-
,ations to be agreed upon between the
,wners nd the Secretary OF the Navy, and
IN H. op1 |
liability to carry aud sustain the working
nd operation Of at least four effective
filed cannon Of calibre of not less than
tx inches. a nd shah be Of the highest rating
uown to maritime commerce." 1t is also
equired that before any vessel Of the first
hree classes shall be accepted for the mail
ervice she shall be thoroughly inspected by
competent officer of the Navy detailed by '
he Secretary, which officer shall report in ,
7riting the result of his inspection.
TO TRAIN sEAMEN.
No vessel not approved by the Secretary !
I the Navy as suitable for the service
squired can be employed by the Postmas-
II General. There is still another condi-
on which is imposed for the benefit of the
overnment and for the general benefit Of
merican commerce. All vessels accepted e
3 mail steamers are required to take as
adets or apprentices, one American born {
oy under 81 years OF age for each 1000
ms of register, and one for each majority j
action thereof, who shall be educated e
the duties Of seamanship, rank as petty a
Ulcers and receive such pay for their servi- q
s as may be reasonable"
Beyond all this, the Government stipulates
lat any of these steamers may be etakenand
,ed by the United States as transports or O
uisers, upon payment to the owners OF the n
ir actual value of the vessels at the time Il
taking. &
Thus it will be seen the contract with 81
ese American steamships for carrying the d
eaD mails practically transfers them to q
g United States Navy without releasing
cir present owners from the expense of
eli maintenance, and annually adds to
numerical strength a large force Of Il
aimed American seamen whose loyalty n
Ill not be suspected and whose gallantry Il
ay be relied upon to maintain the prestige II
the Navy and honor of the Government. II