Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-22
SOME IMPRESSIVE FIGURES.

The industrial commission at Wash
ington has been furnished with statis-
tics regarding the American merchant
marine which are decidedly impressive
as showing the low estate this country
has reached as Il maritime power in re-
spect to international commerce. The
author of the statistics, Mr.. f. L. Neall
of Philadelphia, has evidently made
most thorough and painstaking study
and research and there can be no Ques-
ton regarding the accuracy Of his facts
and figures.
Mr.. Neall states that the volume of
merchandise imported and exported by
the United States for the calendar year
1898 amounted to $1,SOU,0O0,00O. The
weight of this merchandise was over
37,OOOOOO gross tons, or more than g.
100000 tons per month. In regard to
the transportation of this merchandise
vast in value and bulk, it Is shown that
out of n total shipping tonnage suitable
for transoceanc traffic aggregating o.
600 900 tons, the United States has but
125 vessels, steam and sail, wish a carry
ing capacity of DOG, 6,1S5 tons. Think of
this for Il maritime and commercial na-
ton whose shores are washed by two
oceans, whose commodities are in world
wide demand and whose resources are
ineXhaustible. In all other respects in
| dependent of the rest of the world we
are dependent upon the shipowners Of
Europe, chiefly those of England, for
carrying our commodities to foreign
markets and bringing back what we buy
| abroad.
This dependence Is not only expensive,
costing our people, according to the low
it places this country at n distinct dis
! advantage in the competition for the
worlds trade. Whatever may be said
of the axiom that "trade follows the
flag there can be no question that the
nation which Is able to send its com.
modities to foreign markets in its own
| ships under its own flag has n decided
advantage over the nation that cannot
do this. Great Britain's commercial SUI
| premacy Is largely due to her possession
of this advantage, which she still relies
upon to keep her at the head of the
worlds commerce, while Germany's
rapid advance in recent years as com
mcrcial power has been greatly aided
by her merchant marine.
The unusual interest that Is being
shown in this question of merchant
marine for the ocean carrying trade
gives promise of practical results
President McKinley's references to it in
his recent tour give ample assurance
that he will urge legislation upon con
gress and the general expressions of re
publican platforms favorable to sucl
legislation will undoubtedly induce con
gress to act. There is no time better
than the present, as was said by Mr.
rine and our enlarged commercial rela
tions make it more than ever essentia
that we should take up this work, st
vastly important to commercial progress
and commercial independence In re
gard TO the policy that should bt
adopted there will have to be compro
mise between extreme views. Free
ships are out of the question. Tn,
country will not tolerate n policy fo
the advantage of European shipbuilders
on the other hand there is a very stron.
public sentiment against subsidies o
bounties, such as proposed in the bill in
troduced in the last congress and whicl
will be brought forward early in IN,
} approaching session. \ compromise L
practicable and will probably be cf
fected. Al all events the next congres
will undoubtedly legislate upon thi