Arizona republican., 1899-01-04
TO BUILD UP TRADE.
Efforis 10 InorcaSe inc CounfrY's
 Merchant Marine.

Washington, Jan. 3.-Rep- -esentative Bingham of Pennsylvania, who is the author of the law providing for 3 sub sidy to American ships carrying the United States mails to foreign ports, is much interested in the subject now be- ing agitated in congress Of government aid for American merchant vessels
 'tThe bill for a subsidy for American mail-carrying ships" said Mr Bing- ham today, was reported from the committee OF postoffices and post roads in the Fifty-frst congress by myself. It was enacted into law by congress in lieu of the Farquhar bounty bill which congress regarded as too radical at that time. The law paid a subsidy to United States vessels carrying the mails on basis of mileage and speed.
 ''The immediate outgrowth of that law was the construction in an Ameri- can ship yard of two magnificent yes sels, the St. Paul and St. Louis. These vessels, together with their two sister ships, owned oy the American line, be- came part of the naval defense of the United States in the war with Spain. The subsidy law provided for their use as auXiliaries to the navy, when re- Quired
 believe that the time has arrived when we can safely go further than that law allowed, and give additional protection to American vessels. The proposition is now to pay a bounty based on tonnage and freightage, for the purpose of building up the mer chant marine. 1 am heartily in favor Of such a proposition"
 President Mckinley called attention in his latest annual message to the sub ject of the merchant marine in the fol- lowing language:
 '-1he annexation of Hawaii and the changed relations of the United States to Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines resulting from the war, compel the pI ompt adoption of a maritime policy by the United States. There should be established regular and frequs snt staam- ship communication, encouraged by the United States, under the American flag, with the newly acquired islands Spain furnished to it's colonies, at an annual cost of about $2,00O,00O, steamship lines communicating with a portion of the worlds markets as well as with trade centers Of the home government.
 The United States will not under take to do less. It is our duty to fur nish the people of Hawaii with facili- ties, under national control for their export and import trade. It will be conceded that the present situation calls for legislation which shall be prompt, dura ble and liberal.
 line part which American merchant vessels and their seamsn performed in the war with Spain demonstrates that this service, furnishing both pickets . and the second line Of defense, is a na- tiOnal necessity, and should be encour aged in every constitutional way
 "Details and methods for the accom- pIishment of this purpose are discussed in the report of the secretary of the treasury, to which the attention Of con gress is respectfully invited
 The most notable bill now before congress relating to the merchant ma rine was introduced in the senate by Senator Hanna and referred to the com mittee on commerce. This bill (S. 502D provides that from and after the first day of July, 1899, there shall be paid, subject to the provisions herein after contained. certain compensation to the owner of any vessel duly regis tered by citizen or citizens of the United States, and being at the time of entry engaged in the foreign trade of the United States, which shall ba en- tered in the United States from a for eign port, CT from any port belonging to the United States the trade between which and the Atlantic, gulf and Pacific coast ports of the United States shall happen not to be confined to vessels of the United States.
 The secretary of the treasury is au- th0riZed and directed to contract with tAe owner of any vessel of the United States hereinbefore described, and reg istered for foreign trade, for the pay ment tn the owner for a period of twsn- ty years, and subject to the provisions