The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-05
THE NEW SHIPPING BILL,

Post-lntelllgencer
The shipping subsidy bill that is now
before the house is substantially new
measure. The bill presented originally
in the senate was open to the gravest
objections. 1t would have made large
allotments of public money with little
corresponding benefit. Its effect was
less to build up American shipping than
to give compensation to ships already
built. The fast passenger lines would
have absorbed millions, while the big
freight carriers. built or in contempla-
tion, would have taken the crumbs
and bones OF the appropriation.
In the amended bill which Mr.. Gros-
vernon has introduced in the house
these Objectionable features have been
overcome. AS 1t stands, the purpose
of the bill and its effect will be to in
crease the American merchant marine
by the same policy that has been so
effective in other nations One Of the
most vital features Of the new bill is
the provision that, in order TO obtain
the subsidy. ship must sail on its
outward vopage with at least one-half
of its tonnage in cargo. This prevents
the appropriation of public money
without corresponding benefit in the
export of American products. Tank
oil steamers are excluded, forfeiture OF
payment is the penalty for becoming
a party TO any combination TO raise
freight rates by monopoly, and nearly
all of the objections to the original
bill are met by the terms Of the house
measure.
Opposition to the subsidy bill arises
mainly from one or the other Of two
causes One is the ignorance OF many
editors OF the difference between the
two bills. Most OF them are still ham
mering away at the bill which was in
troduced in the senate, and seem 10 be |
unaware Of the revolution in its terms |
by the changes made through the work |
of Western representatives in the house
committee. The other Is hatred Of the
protective system, of which the ship
ping subsidy plan is corolary. The
free trader in merchandise is naturally
a free trader in ships, and his argument
in one direction will no more bear ex-
aminaticn than in the other.
1t seems most desirable that there
should be a full expression of public
opinion or this important measure, he
cause the real struggle will probably
come in conference committee. The
bill that passes in the senate is likely
to contain most of the provisions Of the
one introduced in that body. It would
be far better that all relief for our ship
ping interests should fail than that this
be done Then, when a conference is
had with the house, reciprocal conces-
sions will be insisted upon. The people
should encourage their representatives
to stand firm. Not one guard can
be omitted. In our opinion, the house
measure might go still further than It
does in assigning payments to vessels
to be constructed, and in apportioning
them on the basis Of American products
actually carried. Not passenger busi-
ness, but freight carriage, is the great
test. in any case, however, the repre-
who have insisted on the
reform Of the senate bill by their
must not yield an inch
to pressure from any quarter. A sub
sidy to encourage farm exports and
build up the merchant marine is de-
manded by the people. A plan that
carries with it favor to other inter-
ests than these would provoke danger
Gus popular disapproval.
OF MR. BRYAN's TOUR.