The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-14
Necessary for the Upbui'dng of ner.
chant Marine.
FOR GOOD OF WHOLE COUNTRY
Tho Senator Resented the 1mputation
That tho Measure Was Designed
for tho Benefit Of Any Ear
t,cular Glass OF Cit'-
zcns-Bul>vark OF
Defcn c.
fEv Associated Press }

WASHINGTON, December 15-tor near
X three hours to-day Mr. Hanna, OF ohlo,
addressed the Senate upon the pending
shin Subsidy bill. This was really his frst
formal speech to the body since he became
a. member of it. Since his advent senator
Hanna has devoted much time and -aoor
to the pending ship subsidy Dill
Under a special order, the Senate met an
Po,r earlier than usual to permit the
speech to be made before taking up the
Hav-pauncefote treaty in executive Ses-
sion.
4 resolution vas adopted directing the
ahnointment of three members OF the SEN
ate Committee on Public Buildings ana
Grounds and five OF the same committee to
consider location and cost OF a nan Oh
Records in this city.
Mr.. Hanna then spoke. His Speecl was
in the nature of a reply to the s!eeah oI
Mr. Clay, of Georgia
MI Hanna said that THE remarks OF WI
CLAY had brought into question the mo-
rives of those who had assisted in The prep
aration of the pending measure AS
member of the Maritime COMMITTEE as
well as a member ot the Con!hitNee o1l
Commerce, MI Hanna said he fe1 1t MS
right and duty TO explain the WORK O.
| these committees.
RESENTS INIPUTAT1ON,
For myself" he declared, I resent the
impuratlon that any other motive IMAM
those OF interest in our country and soou
public policy aCtuated the conHlltleeS.
Mr.. Clay disclaimed any such inputa-
ton.
.MY. Hanra maintained that in order TO
build I'D the American merchant marine
It was necessary TO have not only cap!-
tai and experience, but it was necessary
likewise ITO afford cur foreign carrying
trade protection-sone .<ind d 1hiu -e-
1I.ent by law.
| of the decline in the Industry VAS con-
cident with the outbreak of the Civil
Mr.. Vest of Missouri challenged this
statement He declared the decline had
begun as far back as 1855.
Mr.. Hanna reviewed the history OF the
American merchant marine from the es-
tab shment of the nation until the pres
ent time. He maintained that the de-
cadence in American Shipping 1ad begun
| III 1861.
BULWARK GI DEFENSE.
This n sr.ne industry" Mr. Hanna said,
lis promotive Of our national prosper ~
and at the same time Is one Of the b'il-
warks of our national defense, Inc 1ot-
een commerce OF the United States is
four times larger than ii was IN ISbV' YET
the proportion OF the foreign carrying
trade IS now less than one tl.rd what 1t
was in 1860 This is 4 most hunlLtauns
decline in a great national Industry
He declared that the four ships OF tie
American Line, which are carriers OF
mai had not made a net dollar since
they came under the American flag
Mr. Hanna questioned the assertion OF
Mr. Clay that Tie fast vessels OF the
American line would draw >%04'Ho an
nually from the proposed subsidy.
Mr.. Clay quoted Mr.. Clyde, a steam
ship owner on this point.
HIS OWN FIGURES.
I am not using Nj. Clyds's fingers,
replied Mr. Hanna. "put my own.
Thereupon Mr.. Vest Gale. attention to
the fact that Mr. Chamberlain, the Com
missioner of Navigation, and one OF the
strongest advocates of the pending meas
ure, also lad said the American Line yes
sells would receive $30i, $50 aAnua!ly from
the subsidy
After asserting that his figures showed
that the American Line Ves>eiS would re-
ceivc less than 100000 a year each, MI
Hanna declared that with the subsidy the
much as was earned by the vessels OF the
Cunard and White Star Lines under the
mail subsidies received from Great Brit
ain.
Mr. Hanna explained the fundamental
principles of the pending measure.
Mr.. Hanna dwelt at length upon the de-
| sira blity OF having a large merchant ma
rine 10 draw upon for auXi!la'E shlps III
case of war After dwelling at length
Europe TO prevent the ih'es'ment oy
Americans of capital in the uppulldins OF
an American marine and urging that the
proposed construction OF the Nicaragua
canal was. rog.ther with the renabiifta-
| ton of this country's marine power otl's
a part of the great problem OF 'Tanspor-
tation, Mr. Hanna said taat the penang
bill would attract capltaI ioi sieal IA
duStry.
IN FRONT RANK.
| Mr.. Hanna contended tina. TINS Govern
| ,nent's recent experiences Nad placed II
| IN the first line OF nations ana argued
! that its citizens should MOI SHRINK from
| availins themselves OF possessing their
| share, or more than l!etl Sttaie' VI 'i'7
| foreign markets
The measure he concluded. was not de-
signed to benefit any particular class, but
| to advance. the interests Of the whole
country. If we did not sleze our advan-
tases in the Orient other Powers would.
| In the event of war among any OF The
great maritime Powers no" carrying 81
/ per cent. Of our toreisn eoiiinerce. MT.
| Hann, .sserted our interests would be
| paralyzed and the situation be ruinous.
At 2:o5 p. NJ. the Senate went into exc
cuIiye session, and at S.25 adjourned
.A.a, ocnAhAM ANQECMCMr