Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-01-11
OUR SHIPPING.
Hearing Before House Com
mittee on Merchant Marine.
Ex-senator Edmunds Makes Eloquent
Plea for American Shipping.


representatives of American shipping
interests We're heard, today, by the
House committee on merchant marine
and fisheries, relative to the measure
introduced in the Senate by Mr. Han
ma and in the House by Mr.. Poyne, ito
promote the commerce and increase the
foreign trade Of the United States and
TO provide auxiliary cruisers. trans
ports and seamen for government use
when necessary
The main feature OF the measure is
a graded subsidy to American ships,
based on tonnage and service. Among
those present were Ex-senator Ed
monds of Vermont, who appeared for
the shipping interests, President c.. A.
Grfscom of the International Naviga-
ton Co., Commissioner Of Navigation
Chamberlain. Edward r. Sherwood,
secretary of the Philadelphia Maritime
Exchange, Arthur Sewall of Maine, and
President HYDE Of the Bath Iron
Works. -
. Mr.. EdnAfnds made the opening
statement appearing in behalf of ship
builders and silipowners. the great ma
jorrty of them Americans. Foreign
ship interests were naturally opposed
to this measure and it was possible
he added that some of the great lines
felt that an increase in the water car
rying trade initiated against them.
Throughout his 25 wears Of seryica
in the Senate he had sought to secure
some such aid to shipping. One mode
Of doing this was by discriminating
duties. but a careful examination of
our treaties had satisfied him that
there were many difficulties in the way
of Carving out this plan. II would
require the abrogation of many treaties
ana this would be followed by retaha-
ton from many foreign countries.
He next deal with the plan of free
ships as a means of stimulating ship
ping Ihis was based upon getting
foreign-built ships and giving them an
American registry. but Mr.. Edmunds
pointed out that the cheaper first cost
OF the snip abroad was offset by the
extra cost after the ships were under
American registry.
Moreover, he said. going abroad for
snips meant the abandonment of
American shipy ards, SO that in time of
emergency There would be no shipyards
10 turn no. having urged the utility
OF other plans. MI. Edmunds argued
tnat the measure was the most prac-
tlcal means OF reVlvlng American ship
ping ana with 1t extending American
commerce. Trade followed the flag,
Said Mr.. EQmundS. Once the Ameri-
.d at any r,,;,,, A., co,th .,1or;a
Sou,h afr;ca or ~, o,tar ,,aao -, 49,
p,ohe tho cormaro;.I ,,an 90 h;s
s.,ocn,n soucu.aa ,,.;,,, ..
,ood.
MI H'olhuhos salo events OF recent
''on'hs hao SHOWN IN particular the
value VI carrying our traoe 10 the rar
East. Inc largest opening Tor the sur
y pi"s plouuc.s VI people ike our own
ne saiu' was III eastern ASIA ABOVE the
Niop'es. neioM the tropics the people
iieeueu httie OIL the Iood. ciothlng, etc,
Ina. we pfoooce. But ABOVE tne trop-
les tnere was great stretch or coun-
Try IN hor'nefh emma ana southern
'.ussia. 'nNhl! populated Dy industrl-
GUS anu iHtellSent people forming a
vas. hfdrhet LOT our products' II was
7! the utmost importance 20 our people
ma. lils marker shdlid not pe neglect
W W O,her producing hations. ii we let
me Grass sIo" uhuer our ieet nun
ureu uiiicuities Woulo arhse IN gaming
4oo.no'o III ''iis vast market. Inc
''a' VINO "ditea was the man VINO
'oS''
The carrying of our products to foreign
was. Mr. Edmunds said, the
keynote to this proposed measure. H
the earnest hope that Congress
would act so that this revival of Ameri-
AN shipping might begin during the COM
ng summer. Once begun. he was conf
lent that it would be demonstrated tina,
We were the masters of the trade of the
;lobe.
Mr.. 'Edmunds suggested a number of
amendments to the bill based on the ex-
,erience of shipping interest but not |
hanging the essential features.
Representative Handy of Delaware, au- !,
nor OF the pending Free Ship bill,
luestioned Mr.. Edmunds. Mr.. Griscom
'nd Mr.. Nnampe1lain on various shlpplns
uestlohs. Mr.. 1rlscmn said IN response
inquiries that the OASIS OF the present
III was " el""ii~e li'e cAel@ eoSl VI Pi
$ against the producing and operating Of