The record-union., 1899-02-19
OUR SHIPPING INTERESTS.

OUR SHIPPING INTERESTS.
In December last President Mckinley
SAID to Congress, in his annual
message, that the annexation of Ha-
wall, the acquisition of Porto Rico and
the possession of the Philippines de-
manded very prompt action on. the part
of Congress for encouragement Of our
shipping interests, by the adoption of
the regular lines of shipping between
this continent and the new possessions
are all under the American flag. the
better for the country and every one
in it.
But legislation is necessary to ac-
complish this, and it should not be de-
layed. The great West is no longer an
obstacle, as it once was, to any meas
ure proposing the stimulation of our
merchant marine. That section has at
last come to realization of the fact that
it is precisely as much interested in
conservation of American shipping in
terests as are the coast communities.
The recent report of the Secretary Of
the Treasury was very earnest and
emphatic upon this subject. Mr.. Gage
is solicitous that we shall have a policy
of positiveness and clearness that will
create anew an American sea- going
merchant fleet, and he thinks it will
not be supremely difficult to accom-
plish the end in view. The new policy
is going to call for the fostering ex-
penditure of money, not an excessive,
an essential.
This expenditure the Treasury Sec
rotary defends with convincing reason.
First, it will relate to the carrying of
ment of a system of graded bounties
upon the mileage navigated by Ameri-
can registered ships in the foreign car
rying trade, in compensation for the
able for the uses of the Navy. The
system says the Secretary, must also
relate to construction, so as to have
vessels launched which will be adapta-
BILE for uses as cruisers, troopships,
GOLFERS, supply ships, and the like, in
case Of need. He added:
Special provision should also be made
for vessels and men engaged in the
deep-sea fisheries.
Third-Extended application of the
principle of the Act of May 10, 1892,
by virtue of which the st. Louis and
the st. Paul We're constructed in this
country Upon the registry of the for
eign-biait steamships New York and
Paris this extension to continue for a
short term of years and to be so guard
ed as to preserve the coasting trade to
Americana vessels.
Fourth-A moderate increase in the
rates of our tonnage taxes, equalizing
them with the corresponding charges
at present imposed at London, Liver
pool 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
competitors. They can be put into OPP
Grafton promptly upon their enactment.
They will not raise diplomatic diff
culties. delaying action and involving
us in prolonged discussion or war of
commercial retaliation.
Congress cannot do better now than
turn it's attention with unusual energy
to these propositions, most OF which we
believe are before it in one form or
another Put what is needed is the
burial of party animosity and union
upon the best and speediest means of
reviving American shipping interests,
and restoration of the American mer-
chant marir.e to the position it once
held. when American bottoms carried
more than 80 per cent of all our foreign
commerce.