Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1896-05-09
SENATOR ELklNs' sflP-PR0TEc-
TION PLANK.

With the single exception Of the
bond resolution, Of which Senator
Elkins was the author, no measure
introduced into Congress for many
years has attracted the attention
that has been bestowed upon his bill
to protect the merchant marine OF
the nation. 1t has been Endorsed by
many State conventions and what is
better, by the many associations
whose objects are the promotion Of
our ocean carrying trade.
The principle involved viii be one
Of the leading features Of the plat
form adoptedatSt Louis, and whether
adopted by the present Congress or
the next it is destined to become one
of the most important factors in the
promotion of that national prosperity
which is sure to come. It is protec-
ton on the lines laid down by the
fathers and the only wonder is that
it ever was abandoned, or being aban-
doned that it was not restored years
ago.
The American Merchant Marine
Association gives the following brief
arguments in favor of its adoption:
1T is sound Republican protective
doctrine. 1t puts money into the
National treasury, instead of taking
money out, as bounties and subsidies
do.
ut creates preference for American
ships in the carrying OF American
commerce.
ut was in force for nearly forty
years-from the beginning of our
Government down to 1925, during all
of which time an average Of 90 per
cent of American foreign commerce
was carried in American ships.
1.-THE first act of the first Congress
in 1889 provided, in part, for this
form of ship protection. Subsequent
acts of that and succeeding Congresses
strengthened and extended the policy.
"Ship protection was abandoned,
because it was no longer thought
necessary, and from that time the
proportion Of carriage of American
commerce in American ships has de-
clined, until today but ~ per cent
of American commerce is carried in
American ships.
IS, 900, 600 tons of ships are en-
ployed in carrying American foreign
commerce, less than three quarters OF
a million tons of which are American.
$500. 900. 600 would be spent in
1fnericashshipyards building the ships
necessary to carry EmerfeaaHfi- COM
merce if the policy advocated in the
Massachusetts-New Jersey plank is
adopted by the United States.
$500, 900, 900 now annually sent
abroad to pay for the carriage of
American commerce, passengers and
mails, would be retained in the Uni
ted States if American ships did the
work.
"S4, 500, ooo, 900, it has been esti-
mated by the most competent experts,
have been sent abroad during the
part thirty years to pay for the car
riage OF American commerce, passen-
gers, mails. etc
1.-The weakness of the United States
is only apparent upon the seas of the
world; the adoption of this policy
would strengthen the nation where
its one weakness at present exists.
Senator Elkins, OF West Virginia,
has introduced bill in the Senate,
and Mr.. Payne, of New York, in the
House, proposing to tax imports in
foreign ships ten pei. cent more than
imports in American ships are taxed.
at is policy that provides for
the same protection for American
ships that is now provided for Ameri-
can manufactures, to wit: discrimi-
nation against foreign ships, just as
we discriminate against foreign man
ufactures, by higher duty upon the
foreign articles, be they ships or
products of foreign nations
1.-The United States Navy is weak,
because Americans are not to be had
to man our warships. The adoption
of this policy would provide a resource
for the manning of the navy, sufi-
Gent to provide the men for the ma
tons protection, if ever assailed by a
foreign power.