The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-03
History of American Shipping.

A circular just issued by the Ameri-
can Merchant Marine association gives
some interesting facts relative to the
history Of American shipping. From
this it appears that in 1889, "only 23 per
cent. of the foreign commerce Of the
United States was carried in American
ships. although American ships were
built from 33 to so per cent. cheaper,
and better, and lasted longer. than for
gress, and subsequent acts of that and
other congresses during the latter part
Of the last century. created a prefer
ence for American ships in the carriage
of American foreign commerce, by tax
ing imports In foreign ships n.dre than
they were taxed in American ships.
That policy. during the nearly forty
years 1t was in force. enabled Ameri-
can ships to carry 80 per cent. of Ameri
can foreign commerce.
In the mistaken belief that American
ships could thereafter carry all Of our
foreign commerce, without any statu-
tory preference the legislation that
had created that preference was partly
repealed in 1915, still more was repealed
in 1917, and in 1928 was wholly and fin
ally repealed. From that time Ameri-
c1,; inc Tod 1a,e -
American commerce. and at the begin
ming of the civil war they carried but &C
per cent, which had fallen at the close
Of the war to but 2S per cent. and Is
today but IL per cent. OF our foreign
commerce.
In 1892 an act was passed which con-
fined our coastwise and inland COM
merce to vessels of the United States,
an act that has never been disturbed,
and which has given to the United
States the finest inland shipping in the
world. In 1892 American registry was
derieG to foreign vessels, which act has
been continually in force ever since. But
the act of 1928, above referred to. never
theless permits foreign ships to freely
compete with American ships in the
carriage of American foreign commerce
From time to time attempts have
been made to again give the carrying
of our commerce to our own ships. by
bounties and subsidies. In 1S49 subsi-
dies were granted to two transatlantic
American lines and withdrawn in 1852
whereupon the lines failed. The SUBJ
sidy act Of 1891 has. by the help of an
other act, placed four vessels under the
American flag, two Of which are Of
American construction. That Is the
sum total Of accomplishment under
subsidies In the United States. There
has never been bounty act passed for
the benIlt of American ships, although
such a bill has been discussed and ad-
vocated.
The foreign commerce of the United
States annually consists of between
one and half and two billions of dol
lars worth of imports and exports, and
employs several millions of tons Of for
eign ships. In order that American
ships may be restored TO the carrying
of this commerce, an agitation has been
begun for the readoptlon of the policy
Of 1889. to create q preference for
American ships by taxing imports a
higher duty when brought here in for
eign ships. This movement has re-
ceived the Endorsement of fifteen Re-
publican state platforms. in addition
to that Of the st. Louis national con-
vention. A law putting 1t into effect
will undoubtedly be signed by Presi-
dent Mckinley early during his admin
istration.