New-York tribune., 1899-01-11
AID FOR AMERICAN SHIPPING.
HEARING on THE BILL INTRODUCED BY
MR.. PAYNE
EX-SENATOR EDMUNDs SHOWS THE IMPoR-
TANcE OF SPEEDY LEGISLATION.
Az TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRlBuSEl


TANCE OF SPEEDY LEGISLATION.
TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Was shing-on Jan. 10.-The hearing to-day on
the shipping bill introduced by Mr.. Payne. Of
New-York which is pending in the House Com
mittee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries OF
which no is chairman. was an exceedingly in
teresting and important one. and it may fairly
he added that IN several respects ii spicy
one. The committee-room was crowded with
the representatives not only Of tho sripbuilders
and shipovners OF the country who inter
ested in the development and extension OF the
ocean-carrying trade under the American flag.
but also Of the Lake Carriers Association. the
National Manufacturers Association. the United
States Expor, ers' Association. and others inter
es; ed in the uphudne Of the American mer-
chant marine Among those present were ex-
Senator George F. Edmunds who appeared as
the legal adviser OF the committee representing
the shipbuiders and shipowners' Arthur SewaA
the Maine shipbuilder, who was William j.
Bryan's running mate the Presidential ticket
in 1856, and General Thomas W. Hyde. large
builder q: iron ard steel ships at Bath. In the
same State; c. A Griscom. Of Philadelphia
president Of the International Navigation Com
pany. whose fast vessels did such valuable SER
vice as auxiliary cruisers in the war against
Spain: Thomas Clyde. OF New-York and the
Clyde Steamship Lines Frank J. Firth of phil
adepha representing the Lake Carriers Asso-
ciation: Theodore c Search. Of Philadelphia
president OF the National Manufacturers As
ISOLATION: F r. Thurbe-. Of the United States
Exporters Association: Commissioner Chamber
lain. OF the United States Bureau Of Naviga-
ton; A p Smith f. P. Stratton and Aaron
Vanderbilt Of New-York, and many others
HANDY ASKS MANY QUESTIONS.
The statements submitted and the discussions
provoked by them touched nearly every aspect
Of the general subject. as we'll as the main pro
visions Of the Payne bill which wers heartily
commended hy everybody who spoke except Mr.
Handy. OF Delaware. and Mr Baird. of Louisi-
ana Democratic members Of the committee. Mt
Handy delivered several short speeches. one o.
which was an explanation OF his own position
and asked a good many questions which resulted
IN his obtaining a considerable amount Of in
formation and knowledge OF an elementary nat
ure Of which he appeared TO be in need respect
ing the matters under consideration He intro
duced a free ship bill" few days ago. He in
terrupted Mr. sewall a, number Of times. and
that gentleman finally took him in hand and
dealt with MIN in a vigorous fashion. When MI.
sewau had finished. M. Edmunds made few
clear and terse observations which completed
/
/ Delaware statesman remained quiet until A. K
4 Smith took the floor. when he again began 10
ask questions which elicted much primary infor-
nation which a member of the Committee on
/ Merchant Marine certainly ought 70 possess.
The opening statement Of ex-senator Edmunds
/ covered the whole ground so far as the impor-
! tance and necessity Of the pending legislation
we're concerned He pointed out the obstacles
/ in the path toward success and the uncertainty
! Of obtaining It by means ot discriminating
! duties on goods diferertial tonnage dues OF
/ bounties on exports and ne exposed in brief
space the fallacy OF the free ship scheme as
/ a means Of restoring the prestige and prosperity
! Of the American merchant rarire In the most
! of his twenty-five years in the S-nate. Mr.. Ed
/ nunds explained he had been an advocate OF
| legislation for the benefit OF American merchant
! shipping on national grounds. and since hs re
tirenaent from that body. he had not lost inter
est IN the subject. He appeared, therefore. no
4 merely attorney for the Representatives
sired and labored in a different capacity 10 pro
mote them. He adverted 70 the legislation o.
1891 for the benefit Of American shipping, and
It's failure on account of the hostile. bur as that
Official himself believed. patriotic" attitude OF
] a Postmaster General
EDMUNDs's LUCID STATEMENT.
! After painting an aliuring picture OF the ad-
vantages and inducements offered by Eastern
Asia as field for the extension and growth Of
/ our foreign trade II the competition be speedily
/ entered upor. Mr. Edmunds said, in substance:
1T is important 10 act now. Our people mus;
| be on the ground quickly as possible 1t will
not do to let the grass grow under our feet II
we do not act promptly it will take g hundred
years ana untold expense ~ catch UP with our
rivals The who waits loses. You should
do what les in your power 10 make this bill
law a. the present session
/ He then suggested several amendments Of the
! pending bill the most Important Of which pro-
vides that no contrast shall be entered into In
/ behalf Of the United States under the act after
! the expiraton of ten years from the date OF It's
! massage and reserves the right 70 amend or
repeal the act at any time. subject only 70 then
/ existing contracts
The statements which followed from Messrs
/ Grlscon Search SeWaN. Filth HYDE Smith
and others were reQlete with practical inforna-
/ ton and together with the papers and statistics
! submitted fortified as they We're by the othoal
facts and fgures coated and complied by he
! Commissioner Of Navigation. who seems "a have
lost faith in the free ship" nostrum as a cure
/ for the paralysis from which the American
merchant marine is suffering. will greatly assist
! ,hA committee in the consideration OF the pend
I inr measure. which a II now stands obviat es
rnarv of the objections urged against similar
legislation IT. the past
rr-,