Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-11-02
ALIENS TO CONTROL.
FOREIGN AND AMERICAN TRANS.
PORTATiON ALLIANCES.

FOREIGN AND AMERICAN TRANS
PORTATioN ALLIANCES.
Combination of Interests that May
BE Expected 70 Oppose Measures for
the Rehabilitation of the American
Merchant Marine.
1t Is fact, though probably not gen.
orally known outside of transportation
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 combination enables
the railroad companies to secure the
distribution of imported goods and also
to gather and deliver 10 the steamship
lines outward bound cargoes, both
steamship ana railroad lines apportlon-
Ing the rates of fright and sharing in
the profits of the transportation.
OF the five principal lines of railroad
connecting the interior with Atlantic
ports, al but one have combinations
with foreign steamship lines, and thus
the carriage of the commerce. of the
country, from the various points of pro-
1,lction to those of distribution and con-
sumption, is almost wholly directly or
indirectly controlled by alien interests
and combinat. ons. The solitary excep-
ton among the railroad lines maintains
an independent system of steamship
connection; otherwise 1t also would
probably be obliged to combine with
alien ocean transportation interests in
order to get its share of the traffic.
This shows how absolutely necessary
it is that whatever protection is af
forded to American over sea shipping
interests shall be ample and of such
character as to give assurance of per-
manency In order to be entirely effec-
tive. The reciprocity navigation trea-
ties now in force require that at least
twelve months notice shall be given of
their abrogation. 1t is easily conceiv-
able that during this interval of twelve
months the enormous aggregation of
foreign capital employed in alien trans
portation lines, and the influence of the
railroad interests allied with these
lines, would combine with the object of
securing the repeal or at least the mod
ification of enactments of a character
so inimicai to their interests as pro-
vided for the imposition of discrimina-
sing duties against imports in foreign
vessels.
The profits of ocean freight carrying
are very largely derived from imported
goods having high freight classific..-
ton. Aliens practically enjoy the
monopoly of ocean transportation, and
through agreements among themselves,
freight rates are maintained with gen.
eral uniformity. With outward bound
cargoes practically assured. through
combinations with the principal rail
road lines, and with but little competi-
ton in passenger business, the foreign
steamship companies could well afford
to lower rates on imports to such fl
ure as would materially lessen the prof
its of American ships enjoying the pro-
lection of discriminating duties against
imports in foreign vessels.
Therefore, the measure of protection
which it 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 aud of such a
character as not only to be entirely eff
fective In it's purpose but such as to
give assurance of being maintained for
a 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 Drotec-
ton, through foreign or domestic infiu-
ences, as would tend to discourage the
operation of such vessels when they
were water borne. Neither would man
ayers of the projected ships be likely to
perfect their arrangements for employ-
Ing the vessels In the over sea trade
without some assurance that the pro-
lection afforded would be sufficient to
enable them successfully to compete
with alien enterprises.
1T Is believed by those who have
given this matter careful consideration
that 10 per cent. discriminating duty
against imports in foreign vessels Is
none too great, and that any less degree
of protection would be ineffective and,
moreover, discouraging to the interests
which are sought to be promoted. Hon.
Stephen B. Elkins, the Trainer and the
earnest advocate of the measure pro-
viding for discriminating duties on i'm
ports in foreign vessels in his speech in
the Senate in April. 1897, said
1T is not claimed that the bill under
consideration Is perfect or will bring
all needed relief. 1t will have to be
supplemented by further legislation. 1t
is claimed, however, in Its behalf, that
the principle has been tried for nearly
forty years and produced the most ben
eficial results, and to restore discrimin-
ating duties now would be a start in
the right direction
Though the measure Is to some ex-
tent tentative, the principle is by no
means experimental. Perfection of the
measure according to the best lights
obtainable. would give promise of such
results as would be a practical guar
anty of it's successful operation, de-
spite the opposition Of the combinations
of capital and Of influence that would
be arrayed against 1T.