The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-10
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, MARCH 10.
Tho Amended Shipping Bill.

Tho Amended Shipping Bill.
The plan To encourage foreign trade,
revive American shipping and give Leg
islative aid TO the agricultural produc-
ers OF the country by shipping subsi-
dies is now under consideration by con-
gress The objects OF this policy have
the hearty approval OF the Post-Intelli-
gencer. as they have that Of the people
OF this country. II the aid rendered Is
30 given that the benefits accrue to the
farmer. ~ they may and should. it will
be legislation as benencent as our pro-
tectivs policy. with which It is in entire
accord.
We are sending abroad about 1900. 900
tens annually OF farm products. To en-
large and improve these markets is a
proper object OF legislative care. In
addition to the immense advantage of
controlling the carrying trade. every
pound OF farm products exported less
ems the pressure upon the home market
and acts favorabiy upon prices. The
manufacturing interests Of the nation
have been bull, up with magnificent
results. To open new markets to the
farmer IS at least equally important.
And nothing can contribute to tina.
more directly and Immediately than
legislative encouragement; either In the
shape OF bounty on such exports. or
such subsidies to steamships In the car
rying trade as viii enable the products
of the American farm 20 be carried
ehesply TO the ends OF all the earth.
The original measure introduced In
congress for this purpose Is found, upon
investigation. to he open 70 the gravest
objections. Under it's terms II appears.
upon analysis. that the fast steamers
engaged in the Atlantic passenger bus
mess would be entitled to the lions
share OF the federal bounty. This the
people wouid not tolerate for one mo-
ment' and 30 correct Il number OF
amendments. constituting practically a
new bill. have been framed by Western
members OF the committee having the
bin In charge. These have been ac-
cep,ed by the house committee. and Il
IL this measure upon which congress
viii have 10 pass What is known as
the Payne bin has no chance Of pass
age unless she senate accepts the modi-
fieatlons agreed upon in the house com
mittse.
The improvements that have been
made are very great. striking 81 all dis
ordinations In favor OK great interests.
ana aiming 10 make the subsidy carried
oentrieu,s 70 the real growth OF cur
commerce and add 70 the market Of the
farmer. No vessel Il 90 be- entitled %
payment under the act unless she shan
have cleared ca her outward voyage
with a cargo amounting 20 at least 50
per cent. of her gross tonnage This
makes the subsidy conditional upon a
real assistance TO cur export trade. The
tank steamships of the standard OF
Company and any vessels peculiarly
constructed Tor carrying tiQuia cargoes
are explicitly excluded from the opera
ton Of the act Tae total payments 90
ell vessels are limited 90 g. ooo oo8 To
any enc year; and Il the amount earned
hy all vessels exceeds that snm. then
the payments 20 each person are 90 he
reduced pro rata of course the bene-
fits ara 20 accrue only 10 American own
eFs. the ships must ee engaged IN for
eiga commerce, ard whenever the own
ers OF any vessel enter a trust 70 m
crease the cost a. export froishts they
VIII cease immediately 70 receive pay
mentz under the act
These amendments transform the
character of the bill and remove some
OF the objections that have been
urged against Il. one serious re
naming question Is whether steamers
in the passenger business do not still
even under the new terms. derive toe
great an advantage. The government