The San Francisco call., 1896-07-26
IALE BROS, incorporated
937. 939 94 943 945 Market Street san Francisco

confronted with the fact that Europe has, by
peaceful methods, l. e., by furnishing trans
portation, secured almost the entire trade OF
South America, while we have contented our
selves with reading the Monroe doctrine" to
such nations as have manifested any intention
OF seizing its soil.
OF what advantage to US is the position OF
protector to our southern neighbors If they are
gradually being Europeanized by the inexor-
able laws of trade? Not a single steamship
under the Am erican flag is employed in trade
with South American States other than yene-
zuela and Colombia; and on the Pacific Coast
not solitary steamer leaves the United States
for South American port.
Mr.. Samueis shows the total inadequacy
of the laws now in effect bearing upon our
shipping interests. and maintains that the
essential features any proposition for the
restoration of our flag upon the ocean
must contemplate:
First-some consideration in return for Gov
ernmental support.
Second-Reasonable security for the capital
invested and labor employed against changes
in administrative policies.
Third-Freedom in the selection of trades in
which vessels may engage without vitiating
their right 10 compensation.
Fourth-No discrimination in favor of any
individual or corporation.
Fifth-It must be liberal in its provisions to
| induce immediate results.
| The proposed remedial bill has been drawn
with view of meeting the foregoing require
ments, and while 1t embodies some of the best
features of the act OF March 8, 1891 [''To pro-
vide for ocean mail service between the United
States and foreign ports and to promote COM
merce"] it differs radically from others, partic-
ularly in the elimination of the mail-contract
system, which in practice subordinates the
shipping interests to the opinion of the Post
master-General.
The proposed bill provides for the free
transportation of the United States mail
to foreign countries; for the transporta-
ton at half the regular rates of all naval
officers. troops, seamen or supplies to OF
from foreign ports; for the carrying on
each steamship of one American born boy
apprentice for each 1000 tons registered
tonnage. such boy to be educated in the
duties of seamanship, etc.; that all steam
ships shall be of iron or steel and so on
structed as to enable them to be promptly
and economically converted into auxiliary
naval cruisers. The steamships are to be
divided into four classes, according to rate
of speed and amount of tonnage, the com
pensation ranging from $5 to 81 per nauti-
cal mile by the shortest practicable route
for each outward voyage. Such steamers
may be taken and used by the United
States as transports or cruisers upon paw
ment to the owners of the fair value at tb G
time of the taking, and if there is disa-
greement as to the fair value between the
United States and the owners of the vessel
it shall be determined by impartial ap.
praisement.
With reference to the question of security
for capital invested and labor employs ed
against changes of administration the pro-
posed act authorizes the Secretary of the
Treasury to enter into contract with the
owner or owners of each steamship ap-
proved under the terms of this act (which
contract shall designate the classification
and compensatory, and that contract is ia
remain in force for a period of ten years,
always provided that the requirements of
the act are COM piled with.
Such measure offers to the country an
auxiliary navy, always ready IN time oi
war, while enriching the country in times
OF peace. The annual cost of maintainine
tirst-cla cruiser amounts to not less
than $250,000; this amount of money
would support fleet of merchant steam.
ers.
The liberal conditions of this bill would
stimulate ship-buiIding to such an extent