The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-12-24
GAINING IN FAVOR.
Discriminating Duty Plan Is Becom-
ing More Popular.
Element OF Permsnence Regarded ss
vitality Important I'm Any system
for the Restoration OF Our
Merchant Marine.

There il abundant reason to believe
that among practical and farsighted
men the policy of protection TO Ameri-
can shipping by means Of discriminate
ing duties upon imports in foreign YES
sells is rapidly growing in favor. Ship
builders who have hitherto expressed
doubts as 10 the wisdom OF adopting
this policy and have leaned toward
some form OF subsidy or subvention
now express the conviction that the
policy of distinguishing duties is the
only one likely TO be effective and of
permanent benefit. They recognize the
fact that subsidies are difficult to OBJ
tain from congress; that they are un-
equal in their operation, favoring a few
and affording little or no protection TO
the many; that the subsidy measures
heretofore passed by congress have
originally been so imperfect as TO re-
| quire radical amendments; that the
arguments in favor of subsidies are
easily controverted, and that this form
of protection would not accomplish
the desired end-the restoration OF the
shipbuilding industry and the creation
OF ship-owning organizations.
Subsidies might prove beneficial TO
shipbuilding plants fully equipped for
the construction OF passenger steamers,
either large or small, for subsidies
would tend 10 encourage the building
OF such ships. But the demand FOR pas
senger vessels is comparatively limited,
and II Is not likely 10 increase greatly,
owing TO the competition of foreign
ships either already on the lines or
which could easily be diverted 10 such
service from other routes.
What is imperatively needed is such
a system Of protection as will enable
shipbuilders to devote their attention
TO the manufacture OF vessels suitable
for cargo carrying. Plants equipped for
the construction Of such ships need en-
couragement 10 enlarge their facilities
without materially augmenting the cost
OF their permanent force employed in
drafting, molding and other operations
incident to ship construction. II Is es-
sential TO economical shipbuildfng that
two or more vessels of precisely equal
dimensions and form shall be under
contract at the same time, so that null
tiples OF every part can be prepared
with only the additional cost Of the ma.
terial. Vessels so built would be uni
form in every respect, perfection In
model and workmanship and material
would be attained, the reputation OF
the builder would be established, and
this economical plan of construction
would enable him successfully TO COM
pete with foreign builders and thereby
secure profitable contracts.
II is said that there Is not now n
duplicating plant in this country which
is equipped for the economical con-
struction OF cargo steamers in the man
ner above indicated. And yet there is
scarcely yard, at least on the Atlantic
seaboard. which cannot build n steam
chip as cheaply as IL can be constructed
abroad, the lower cost of material and
the use of labor-saving machinery and
appliances nearly II not quite counter
balancing the enhanced cost of labor
The English shipbuilders are devoting
their attention and energies 10 the con-
struction of steamers instead of sail
ing vessels. They are, by manufacture
ing two or more ships of the same size
and pattern at the same yard, reducing
the cost of construction to the mini
mum, and they are striving TO the ut
most TO retain their advantage OF eco
nomical production.
Clearly, therefore, this is our oppor-
tunity. No time should be lost in pro-
viding such a system Of protection as
will enable our shipbuilding industries
to retain the advantage they now enjoy
and to acquire further advantages by
the enlargement of their plants for the
still greater economy Of ship construc-
ton by what may be termed the whole
sale manufacture OF vessels, as Is done
in the English and Scotch yords. The
adoption of the policy of discriminating
duties upon imports In foreign vessels
would create such a demand for Ameri-
can cargo carrying ships as to stimu-
late the enlargement of our shipbuild-
ing plants TO the capacity required for
the manufacture OF large numbers OF
vessels OF the same size at the same
time, and IL would also encourage the
establishment Of additional yards and
restore the shipbuilding industry TO it's
pristine vigor. Alike as TO the building
and operating Of American merchant
ships, the policy of permanent protec-
ton Endorsed In the republican nation
al platform OF 1896 seems TO be the
policy best adapted to the placing of
our commercial marine industry upon
an even keel with foreign competition.
Neglect Too Long Continued.
That we have stood alone among the
~ In ha