The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-07

to the front AttentionNs again invited to
the necessity of adequate legislation for the
further promotion of the efficiency of the
revenue cutter service.
THE MERCHANT MARINE.
Under the head of NAVIGATOR Mr..
Gage says: war with Spain and the
annexation of the Hawaiian archipelago,
which have changed the political and COM
mercial relations of the United States not
only with Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and
the Philippines, but also with the continents
between which and North America those
islands are stepping stones, require the
prompt adoption of an affirmative maritime
policy by the United States. By
selection and combination from the meth
DDS referred to, it will not be difficult to
evolve legislative project for the devel-
opment of our merchant marine and of
domestic shipbuilding, adjusted to our spe-
cial needs and based on the prevalent con-
ditions of competition in the ocean-carry-
ing trade. The method recommended may
be specifically set forth in the following
propositions:
"First-A remodeling and extension of the
act or March 3, 1891, relating to the carry
ing of ocean mails in American steamships,
so that it shall meet requirements which
have arisen since the law went into opera
ton.
Second-The establishment of a. system of
graded bounties upon the mileage navigated
by registered American vessels while en-
gagged IN the foreign carrying trade as COM
pensation for the training of seamen avail
able for the national defense, the system
to have regard also to the construction or
vessels which may be promptly and eco
nomcally converted into cruisers, troop
ships, golfers, and supply ships for the use
of the government Special provision should
also be made for vessels and men engaged
in the deep-sea fisheries.
''Third-Extended application of the prin-
ciple of the act of May 10, 1892 by virtue of
which the st. Louis and st. Paul were con-
structed in this country upon the registry
of the foreign-built steamships New York
and Paris, this extension to continue for
short term of years and to be so guarded
as to preserve the coast trade to American
built vessels.
"Fourth-A moderate increase in the rates
of our tonnage taxes, eQualizing them with
the corresponding charges at present I'M
posed at London, Liverpool, and Hamburg.
"Fifth-The restriction of the trade be-
tween the United States, Porto Rico and
Hawaii and the coasting trade OF those
islands to vessels of American registry.
These propositions are drawn from the
current practices of our maritime competl-
tors. They can be put into operation
promptly upon their enactment. They will
not raise diplomatic difficulties, delaying
action and involving us in prolonged dlS-
cussion or war of commercial retallatlon
They will not raise political questions upon
vide They are believed to be entirely ade-
quate to our needs. The details OF these
propositions are discussed in the report OF
the commissioner of navigation, in Whlch
are also to be found statistics upon the SUD-
iect The report of that officer shows: On
United States, including all kinds of docu.
mented shipping, comprised 22,7O5 vessels. or
4749,73S gross tons. On June 30 1897, 1t COM
prised q, 6S3 vessels, of 600 gross tons.