The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-01

"HE MUCH DlSCUSSED Dill
to increase the foreign trade
Il of the United States by pro-
noting the ocean merchant
marine has been favorably reported to
the senate from the committee on COM
merce, with certain interesting
changes. The changes have had four
purposes in view namely: !. To en-
courage the building of new ships in
the United States. 2. To induce our
citizens to construct freight carriers.
8. To attract present and prospective
American ship-owners to the eXcep-
tional opportunities upon the Pacific
for the development of American
trade. 4. To compel vessels to carry at
least half cargoes each time they
leave the United States on a foreign
voyage. their compensation being re-
duced in proportion to the extent that
they fail to carry such cargoes.
In reporting the bill TO the senate
Senator Frye pointed out that existing
vessels are to have the benefit Of sub
sidy for ten years while vessels here
after constructed viii! receive it for
twenty years. This is expected to en-
courage great improvements in ship
building. OF the sa0O0,0O0 in annual
subsidies provided for. only s2,O0O,oOO
is to go to ships Of over 20 knots speed.
This limit is expected TO stimulate the
construction of freighters. which are
most needed in the development Of our
<rn t. se, 4
he, "that the more rapid expansion Of
our export trade will be with the ORR
ent. This will especially stimulate
new lines Of steamships from our Pa
cific ports to Asiatic countries. To
make it particularly attractive and
that trade with American-built ships.
80 p12 cent. Of the maximum compen-
s&tion Is reserved for our vessels upon
the Pacific, while. of course, there is
no limit to the extent that they may
participate in the other 70 per cent. by
increasing the number of ships in our
foreign trade"
In order to induce those Americans
who have hitherto found It necessary
to go abroad for their ships and sail
them under foreign flags to expand
their present trade with American.
built ships, provision is made for the
admission to American register of for
eign-built vessels owned by American
citizens, on condition that they have
tonnage built in American shipyards
equal to that admitted to our register.
Compensation is withheld until this
new tonnage is built, and forfeit Of
$40 per ton required if 1t is not built.
This foreign-built tonnage that is ad-
mitted receives only one-half the
amount of compensation paid to Amer.
ican-built vessels. All such vessels,
and their equivalent tonnage to be
built in the United States, are to he
excluded from any participation in our
coastwise trade. Compensation is also
withheld from owners of existing
American vessels until they have had
built in American shipyards tonnage
equal to 25 per cent. of that for which
compensation is asked.
BY requiring vessels to carry on out
"oio NosoSSo SoHhoSC Viuui " oHS-
half of their gross tonnage before they
can secure benefit Of subsidy the dan
ger is prevented that empty ships will
be run simply to mulct the govern
menr. A most important change in the
amended bill is that which so arranges
the subsidy as to make 1t impossible
for any type Of ship to receive especial
favor, and to prevent the monopoly OF
any class Of trade or route by any one
line or by any special type Of vessel.
should 1t appear that any class Of
ships or any line or any route was
more reinunerative. right there the
greatest competition will center, a re-
suit sure to prevent the enjoyment OF
any undue favor by any ships, lines
or routes. During ten years any
American citizen or corporation may
enter into a contract with the secre-
tary of the treasury for a period of
twenty years to put on line of ships
or class of ships on any route, or in
any trade. and obtain precisely the
compensation his rivals receive, the
number. size and speed of his ships
being equal.
1t is Senator Frye's opinion-and he
is one of the best informed men In