The St. Johns herald., 1896-07-18
COMMERCE IS CALIFORNIA;
 HOPE.
Errors Which Should be Eradicated
 From Our Pilot Laws

From Our Pilot Laws
 It must be evident to the .thoughtfu
 mind that the high compulsory pilot
 age and other harbor charges and tn,
 heavy direct tax placed by the State O.
 California on ocean-golng vessels i.
 almost equivalent to an embargo upo1
 her shipping, and retards the growth
 and development of the commerce
 which should crowd the water of the
 harbor from January to December, but
 does not.
 The entire commonwealth of Califor. mia has direct interest in her ideal harbor and it's wonderful possibilities, and every citizen should cherish feel. ing of pride in making it constant resort for the fleets of all nations.
 Fully realizing that what will help to bring about this most happy con- summation will insure to the good of an entire State and of all her people, it is the purpose and avowed object of the San Francisco Committee on Com merce, which was organized by and is
 
 Shipowners' A Association of the Pacific Coast, the Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco, the Board of Trade of San Francisco, the Manufacturers and Producers Association of California, the Board of Manufacturers and En- ployers of California, the Traffic Asso- citation of California, the Merchants Association of San Francisco, the Half Million Club of San Francisco, the Me- chanics' Institute of San Francisco, the State Development Committee of Cali fornia, the SanF Francisco Fruit Exchange and the Builders Exchange of San Francisco to work for and with the good will, cooperation and influence of the other communities throughout the length and breadth of the State) to secure such legislation at Sacramento as will place California more on footing with other maritime States, which have come to an earlier realization of this important question and have re- moved all obtr1ctions to the rapid in- crease of their shipping interests and importance. The nations and States that have been the most progressive, liberal and broad-minded in their treat ment of floating transportation facili- ties, which they have recognized as a means to general prosperity among their people have always dictated to the other peoples of the earth. "The mistress of the seas has her palaces on land" It behooves California, then, to awaken to the possibilities of her navigation and to foster, encourage and build up this powerful resource by making good use of what nature has bestowed upon her. It is the wish of the Committee on Commerce to induce a spirit of patriotism among Califor. nians that will be given practical ex- pression when the time comes for action as outlined above.
 The most eminent writer of the gen. eration upon naval subjects, speaking of our new navy, says: Can this navy l be had without restoring the shipping l It is doubtful. History has proved that such a purely military sea power can be built up by a despot, as was done by Louis XIV; but, though so fair seeming, experience showed that his navy was like growth, which, having no root, soon withers away" Then the vital question for us must be: How shall our shipping be restored What can we do in this direction?'
 The entire American merchant marine is at very low ebb, our coun- try and little Italy being the only two of the ten nations, controlling nine- 5enths of the sea-going tonnage of the world that have less carrying capacity now than twenty years ago. In 1894 he total number of voyages, both going and coming, made between the United States ands Europe by American merchant vessels was two hundred and ifty-two (252); while vessels under oreign flags made the voyage 10,233 imes." It is humiliating to write and cad such figures and facts, and to ealize that during the entire year nly two American vessels made the 'oyage from the Atlantic Coast to liverpool and not any to Hamburg or Berlin. What share shall California ake Ill the reincarnation of the spirit f American Independence, that shall lot the broad oceans with the white winged messengers of American Com nerce, announcing to the world the awning of an era of American prestige n the high seas heretofore unknown The answer must come from the peo- lie. What will it be?
 (To be continued)