Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-11-11
a Combination of Interests that May
Be Expected % Oppose Measures for
the Rehabilitation of the American
Merchant Marine.

CuC DlOltS VI lIG lluuSlOk IlIIOus
OF the five principal lines of railroad
connecting the interior with Atlantic
ports, al but n have combinations
with foreign steamship lines, and thus
the carriage of the commerce Of the
country, from the various points Of pro-
duction to those of distribution and con-
sumption, is almost wholly directly or
Indirectly controlled by alien interests
and combinations. The solitary cxcep-
ton among the railroad lines maintains
an independent system of steamship
connection; otherwise it 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
1t is that whatever protection is af-
fOrded to American over sea shipping
interests shall be ample and of such a
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 ut 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 ut least the mod
ificatlon of enactmcnts of n character
so inimical to their interests as pro-
vided for the imposition Of discrimina-
ting duties against imports in foreign
vessels.
The profits of ocean freight carrying
are very largely derived from imported
goods having high freight classical
ton. Aliens practically enjoy the
monopoly of ocean transportation, and
through agreements among themselves,
freight rates are maintained with gen.
cral 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 we'll afford
to lower rates OH imports to such a fig
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 1t is proposed to give with the
object Of promoting American ship
building interests and restoring the
American merchant marine should. at
the outset, he SO liberal and Of such q
character as not only to be entirely eff
fectlvc in its purpose but such as to
give assurance of being maintained for
q term of years.
Capitalists could not be expected to
take the risk of establishing plants for
the construction of cargo ships to CON-
pete with foreign vessels IL there should
be the remotest probability of such
modification Of the Measure Of protec-
ton, through foreign or domestic inf1u-
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 sonle assurance that the pro-
lection afforded would he sufficient to
enable them successfully to compete
| with alien enterprises.
ut is believed by those who have
given this matter careful consideration
Mat 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 he promoted. Hon.
Stephen Il. Elkins, the framcr and the
earnest advocate of the measure pro-
viding for discriminating duties OH i'm
ports in foreign vessels, in his speech in
the Senate in April. 1897, said.
ut is not claimed that the bill under
consideration is perfect or will bring
NIL needed relief. 1t will have to be
supplemented by further legislation. 1t
IS Claimed, however, in It's behalf, that
the principle has been tried for nearly
forty years aud produced the most ben
sicial results, and to restore discrimin-
ating duties now would be n start in
the right direction"
Though the measure is to some OK
tent tentative, the principle is by no
means experimental. Perfection Of the
measure, according to the best lights
p%btainable, would give promise of such
results as would be a practical guar
anty of its successful operation, de-
spite the opposition Of the combinations
of capital and of influence that would
be alrayed against it.
Good ia Peace or War.
The incontroyertiblc figures Of the
bulletins issued by the Bureau Of Sta
tistics will not permit the Dingley tar
If law to be lost from sight. Demo-
crafts, Populists and other opponents Of
the Republican policy cannot get
around the fact that the Dingley law
is pulling steadily in the right direc-
ton and piling up statistics for the dis
comflturc Of frec-tradcrs. The dutiable
imports for August amounted to S27.-