The San Francisco call., 1899-11-21
OUR SHIPPING INTERESTS.

FROM the annual report OF Mr.. Chamberlain,
Commissioner OF Navigation it appears that
there has been a striking contrast between the
progress made in the development of coast trade
and inland water shipping and the lack OF progress
in the upbuilding OF our merchant marine engaged
in foreign trade. For the one class OF shipping there
has been protection, and as a result it has prospered
as other industries during the past year. but
vessels have been lett TO compete unaded against the
subsidized foreign vessels and as consequence
ocean trade is in the hands OF the foreigner
According to the report the tonnage operating
under our coasng laws, 2I,3o7 vessels of 4,oI5,o03
gross tons IS the largest in history and greater
than the coasting tonnage of any other nation Our
steam tonnage 247o.oII tons, for the first time
ceeds the tonnage OF all other craft In the rest OF
the world steam tonnage eleven years ago exceeded
sail tonnage. Our tonnage registered for foreign
trade however remains small, and last year American
vessels carried fraction less than per cent OF our
exports and imports, the smallest percentage in our
history.
From the statistics cited appears the worlds sea-
going sail tonnage in the past quarter OF century
has decreased from I4,I85836 tons to S6oS76o tons
decrease OF 10 per cent The decrease in the United
States has been at the average rate The worlds sea-
gong tonnage in the same period has increased from
432SI93 tons to I80S7,I32 tons 800 per cent The
phenomenal increases have been Norway's 400 per
cent and Germany nearly 700 per cent The increase
OF the United States has been only 6S per cent and
the increase OF American steam tonnage registered
for foreign trade Atlantic and Gulf coasts has been
only SO per cent
The fact that the tonnage engaged in coasting
traffic Is the largest in history is proof that
there IS no lack OF energy in American shipbuiiding
and the further fact that in substituting steam for
sailing vessels we have kept pace with the rest OF the
world Is an evidence that energy is not unenght-
ened 1t IS therefore, clear that our failure to ad-
vance as rapidly other nations in the extension and
increase OF our ocean marine must be due to some
thing else than a lack OF energy or industrial skill
Nor do we have to look far to find the reason
he report shows that last year the leading nations OF
Europe together with Japan expended over $4,000
600 TO promote their merchant shipping while the
United States expended only $ooS,2II
AS result OF the wisdom OF European nations in
building up their shipping while we have neglected
ours the United States within the last twenty wears
have dropped from the second place next to Great
Britain to fourth position below Germany and
France, and steamships in foreign trade alone are
considered below Norway and Spain and only
slightly ahead OF Japan.
Can any stronger argument for comprehensive
shipping bill be made than is furnished by that show
ing' 1t IS bad enough to know that OF our foreign
trade less than per is carried in our own shps
but IS worse to be reminded that our great republic
with its vast commerce, its frontage on the two
mighty oceans OF the globe, has a smaller ocean
going steam tonnage than Norway or Spain and but
little more than Japan. Surely it is time to rouse M
Legislation Tor the promotion OF American shipping
is necessity OF the time