Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1898-11-23
ALIENS IN CONTROL.
Alliances Between Our Railways
and Foreign Steamship Lines.
A Combination OF Interests Opposed
to Measures for the RehabiIitn-
ton OF the American Mer-
chant Marine.

to Measures for the RchnbiIita-
ton of the American Mer-
chant Marine.
1t is n fact, though probably not
generally known outside of trans
portation circles, that there is, so to
speak, close community of interest
between the principal trunk lines OF
railroad in this country and foreign
steamship companies. This combina-
ton enables the railroad companies
to secure the distribution of imported
goods and also 10 gather and deliver
to the steamship lines outward bound
cargoes, both steamship and railroad
lines apportioning the rates of freight
and sharing in the profits of the trans
portation.
OF the five principal lines of railroad
connecting the interior with Atlantic
ports, all but one have combinations
with foreign steamship lines. and thus
the carriage of the commerce of the
country, from the various points of
production TO those of distribution
and consumption. is almost wholly di-
rectly or indirectly controlled by alien
interests and combinations. The sol
itary exception among the railroad
lines maintains an independent system
of steamship connection; otherwise il
also would probably be obliged to com
bine with alien ocean transportation
interests in order to get it's share of
the traffic.
This shows how absolutely neces-
sary it is that whatever protection is
afforded to American over sea ship
ping interests shall be ample and of
such a character as to give assurance
Of permanency in oroer to be entirely
effective. The reciprocity navigation
treaties now in force require that at
least 10 months notice shall be given
Of their abrogation. 1t is easily con
ceivable that during this interval of
- months the enormous aggregation
of foreign capital employed in alien
transportation lines, and the iuflu-
ence of the railroad interests allied
with these lines, would combine with
the object of securing the repeal or n t
least the modification of enactments
of n character so ininical to their in
terests as provided for the imposition
of discriminating duties against i'm
ports in foreign vessels.
The profits of ocean freight carry
ing are very largely derived from i'm
ported goods having high freight
classification. Aliens practically en-
10Y the monopoly OF ocean transporta-
ton, and through agreements among
themselves, freight rates are main
tanned with general uniformity. With
outwardbound cargoes practically as
sured, through combinations with the
principal railroad lines, and with but
little competition in passenger bust
ness, the foreign steamship com
panies could well afford to lower rates
on imports to such figure as would
materially lessen the profits of Amer
lean ships enjoying the protection of
discriminating duties against imports
in foreign vessels.
Therefore the measure of protection
which il is proposed to give with the
object of promoting American ship
building interests and restoring the
American merchant marine should, at
the outset, be so liberal and of such n
character as not only to be entirely eff
fective in its purpose but such as to
give assurance of being maintained for
term of years.
Capitalists could not be expected to
take the risk of establishing plants for
the construction of cargo ships TO com
pete with foreign vessels if there
should be the remotest probability of
such modification of the measure of
protection, through foreign or domes-
tic influences, as would tend to dis
courage the operation of such vessels
when they were water born. Neither
would managers OF ;he pro jected ships
be likely to perfect their arrange
ments for employing the vessels in the
over sea trade without some assurance
That the protection afforded would be
sutiicient to compete with alien en-
terprises.
Ii is believed by those who have
given this matter careful considera-
ton that ten per cent. discriminating
duty against imports i'm foreign yes
sels IS none too great. and that any
less degree OF protection would be in
effective and moreover. discouraging
TO the interests which are sought TO be
promoted. Hon. Stephen y. Elkins.
the Trainer and the earnest advocate
OF the measure providing for discrim-
mating duties on imports in foreign
vessels. IN his speech in the senate IN
April. 1891 said:
u is not claimed that the bin under CON
ciqertton is perfect or will bring am needed
Tcuet u VIII have TO be suuplcmonfed nv
iurtncT l.Eislaton. 10 Or cin lined however
in iis behalf that tho principle has been
trltd ior nearly 90 years and produced the
most henehclal results and % restore dis
CriminQung duties now would be a start In
the right direction "
Though the measure Is TO some
extent tentative, the principal IS
BY no menas experimental. Per
lection Of the measure. according
80 The best lights obtuinablc. would
give promise OF such results as would
hc a practical guaranty Of its success
ful operation despite the opposition Of
tne combinations OF capital and OF in.
hnence shat would be- arraycd against
il.
Don't wnI roo Ions.
IL is reported by those PROCESSING 20
know that congress is disposed 10 en-
act legislation in aid 81 American
shipping but that the difficulty will