The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-23
Against American Commerce.

There seems to be a great difference
in opinion as to what congress really
intended in passing Section 90 of the
Tariff act. To the majority of the
American people 1t was clear that pro-
lection in favor of United States ves-
sells and against bringing foreign i'm
portations into this country by the way
of Canada and contiguous countries
was the spirit, as well as the letter, of
the law. That Canada also adopted
this view of the matter with much re-
gret and man. prOtestations is proved
by the general complaint that ascend
ed from the press of the Dominion. In
high official quarters the question of
retaliation was gravely discussed, and
indeed for the past few months the
Canadian journals have contained little
but criticisms of what they termed our
unfriendly act, together with lamenta-
tions about the privileges allowed
Americans in the Klondike region. 1t
was thoroughly understood across the
border that Section % was aimed at the
commercial interests carried on by the
that the law would be otherwise in
terpreted was entertained. Canada,
while considering some mode of re-
taliaton for the alleged unneighborly
position taken by the United States in
this measure has herself imposed a
discriminating duty against tea and
several other articles received by the
way of this country. All these points
were considered in framing the bill
and congress in passing it must have
contemplated the securing of justice
long delayed to American commerce.
In speaking of the recognized neces-
sity for making a discriminating law,
the Philadelphia Press says:
The Canadian Pacific railroad was con-
structed as military ROAD and heavily
subsidized by the Canadian government
II runs line of steamships on the Pa
cific, which line is heavily subsidized by
both the Canadian and British govern
ments. The vessels were constructed for
use in the British na.y in case Of war
These combined subsidized steamship and
railroad lines have diverted a large trade
from American steamship and railroad
lines Carrying the matter still further
contract has heen made, and the ves-
se.s are now in course of construction,
for another fast steamship line running
to Europe, to connect with the Canadian
roads on the Atlantic. This last line is to
receive an annual subsidy of S257, 800 from
the British government and S5150 900 from
the Canadian government. The vessels
are to be for use in the British navy in
case of war. Does the attorney general
mean to say that congress desires to give
these British subsidized lines the same
privilege in competing for our home trade,
though landing at foreign ports, as our
own vessels? If so. we think that he is
mistaken.
The protest from the American side
against the general Interpretation of
the section comes from New England
where it is claimed that important
business interests are at stake, but the
opinion Just rendered by Attorney
General McKenna to the effect that
congress did not intend such discrim-
ination against Canada will call forth
protests from all other portions of the
country. While for the present the at
torney generals opinion will guide the
customs officials. the Supreme court
will probably be asked to finally decide
the question. 1t is to be hoped that
congress will soon take up the matter
and make it Enthusiastically plain that
America is at last in a position to pro-
tect her shipping and compete with
England on the seas.