The Portland daily press., 1898-03-31
PRESIDENT LORD OF STATE BOARD OF TRADE

pie for the restoration of our merchant
marine. And the law would prove self
adjusting. since the larger the number OF
American vessels the smaller the bounty
paid, and useless building would be pre-
vented.
taliate since under the treaty she must
treat all other vessels as she does ours
and she has nearly ten times as much
shipping to be affected.
This law would mean an immediate
outlay of SOME 500, 600, ,010 for American
built ships-and since the modern ship
calls upon nearly every industry for its
supplies there would be an industrial re-
vival which would be felt throughout
the country and the State of Maine,
which during the last thirty years has
gained in population but twothirds the
amount which she gained in the single
ship building decade of 105G-60 could
again justify the words of the Eighth
Census" Maine. takes the lead as ship
building state. a9
Extracts from the early debates in Con-
gress and from American and English
statistics were given to slibstantiate the
declaration made and the fact that Eng--
land made profit of half million on her
light dues alone last year was advanced
as precedent for making q profit on our
tonnage dues-though we have more than
nall 3 century AUQSEICdI DEoC5ucuuS lOf
making much larger profit on tonnage
than that proposed. In conclusion bill
EN- bodying these views, was submitted.
Mr.. Pummer's arguments were endorsed
by several speakers MIR. Pierre MoCon-
vile of Bangor made speech along the
same line laying special stress on the
scarcity of American born sailors on our
warshins, merchant vessels and fishing
craft. He ridieuled the lax system in re-
gard to bills of lading, and at the con-
clusion of his remarks offered resolution
favoring the adoption of the new eastern
bill of lading, which sllows vessels COM
pensation for unnecessary delays at
wharves.
Capt William Rogers of Bath said that
of the 10000 men shipped in merchant
vessels last year not more than 5000 are
American born and not more than 10, COO
American born sailors are attached to the
fishing fleets. Spain has 1000 native
sailors on whom she could call to man
ber navy in case OF war.
Hon W. W. Merrill of Deering thought
it was high time something was done to
improve the system of issuing bills OF
lading3 so as to protect the owEers and
masters of vessels. Often he said a
schooner is kept waiting weeks and weeks
for wharfage, the consignees simply kill
ing tins and using the vessels as store
houses for their goods. A vessel held
under such conditions is entitled to re-
muneration.
Col Stetson of Bangor offered Similar
comment. The resolution of Mr.. McCon-
vile WAS then unanimously adopted
Mr.. Plumner's bill providing for a ton
mage tax was referred to committee con-
sisting of President Lord, Capt. Rogers,
W. W. Merrill, b. b. Winslow and A. c.
Sibley
The next topic on the programme,
"What one thing best promotes the
material interests of the state of Maine?''
was taken up. President Lord explained
that this subject had been discussed by
The State Grange and turned over to the
state Board of. Trade to consider
Mr. A. c.. .Sibley of Belfast was the
first disputant on the subject. After