Evening journal., 1899-02-02
FOR AMERICAN SHIPPING
Board of Trade Asked to
Adopt Resolutions.
THE BILL NOW BEFORE CONGRESS

SELVES ON THE SUBJECT.
That more interest in the bill recent
" introduced in the senate and House
for the increase Of the sale OF Ameri-
can products and manufactures has not
been urged by the people Of Delaware
would seem from the fact that il has
been so little knowh. II Is a bill that
should have the surpor. of all inter-
ests in the manufacturing state re-
.gardless of party, fol- IN chipping, ali
Industries are united, all traces being
represented in the construction of
ship, and its maintenance ana nayiga-
ton. A list is attached hereto show
ing in brief a portion OF the trades
and manufactures which enter into
the construction of any vessel Briefly
stated, this bill provides for the en-
couragement of American shipping en-
gagged in foreign commerce and the
payment of subsidies based upon the
mileage, such subsidies being condi-
toned on the construction within five
years of new tonnage amounting to net
less than 20 per cent Of the amount
of subsidies paid
The bill provides for American reg
istry Of foreign trade only for foreign
built vessels actually owned or CON
tracted for by American citizens upon
The condition that new tonnage equal
to at least so per cent. OF foreign YES
sells shall be constructed within
period OF five years. The bin provides
adequate enlargement tor American
shipping interests and American ship
builders, without imposing any trouble
some conditions upon the shipper The
operation will not fail 10 - Seneiclal
in every way to our foreign commerce
and our home industries as well. In
the year ending June 80, 1897, the ex-
ports and imports Of the United States
amounted to S1714s29,O4S, OF which
but II per cent. was carried in Ameri-
can bottoms. This as against the
one-time position Of the United States
where our own ships ca "a So per
cent. Of our foreign trade. Two hum
dred million dollars is thus paid out
by American shippers to foreign own
ers for freight and passage money shat
goes out Of the country in hard cash
which SHOULD be retained t, reward
American labor.
1t is essential that THE country should
have shipbuilding plants, artisans, en-
sineers and sailors foI It's use and
safety in the time Of both oeace and
war, and mat the merchant marine as
a naval reserve has been clearly DEM
oas.rated not only ia our civil. war,
but during the late war with Spain,
when the efforts OF the, navy were
greatly aided and supplemented by
what few ships we had and ,ou'd ac-
quire. There is no honest an in2~c-
trious worker in the manifold fields OF
labor in the United States who is not
interested in the passage of this bill.
The laboring man can have only house
and home, and food ana clothing for
himself and family in proportion TO
the employment for his labor and his
employer can only pay him IN prop1r-
ton to the advantageous sales of
things produced.
The American natural resources can
net he exce,led by the people of any
other country, and yet, in the face Of
this the foreign commerce conducted
by cur own shipping has decreased
from S5 pei cent. ia 1876 and
.66 per cent. IA 1860. to
~ per cent. in 1897. Other
manufacturing nations, influenced 10y
considerations to aid shipbuilding and
shipping, support lines Of sea connec-
tons under their own flags to distant
countries, therefore enabling their own
citizens TO establish trading houses.
banking houses and other facilities for
Tho sale of their productions in other
countries. The result OF these circum-
stances has been to deprive the United
States OF at least the equality in for
eign trade they possessed in early DAYS
ana greatly retard the sale of Ameri-
cal goods in faraway countries. where
the product OF our industries ought to
have an equal opportunity OF DISPOSE
ton
All ships built under this new law
are required to carry mails Of the
United States free OF charge; further.
all new ships must be built so as TO
be readily converted into cruisers or
other auxiliary aids to the military
power Of the United States, and when
needed for such purpose may oe taken
or employed at any time. Again the
requirement that at beast 25 per cent.
Of the crews, as well as officers, be
American citizens, viii create reserve
force that was so badly needed to cup
plement the regular navy during the