The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-12-20
J. ]. HILL SPEAKS
AT BANKERS CLUB
CONFIDENT THAT MARINE INTER-
ESTS ARE SPEEDILY BOUND
TO INCREASE.
Subsidy Bill Fails to Secure His Full
Approval-Fears 1t Will Result

Subsidy Bill Fails to Secure His Full
Approval-Fears 1t Will Result
| In Abuses.
James ]. Hill, president of the Great
Northern railroad, is of the opinion that
American shipping has such bright
immediate future before 1t that it is
bound to increase in extent, with or
without government subsidies, and that
in it's growth it will vastly extend the
possibilities of the American farmers
and manufacturers in their efforts to
gain foreign markets.
Mr.. Hill was the guest Of the Bank
ers' Grub, of this city, at It's monthly
dinner at Kinsley's last evening, and
he talked to the club of steamship sub
sides and the Oriental trade. He was
given a striking reception, as an un-
usually large number of the most promi-
nent business men of Chicago had ac-
cepted the invitation Of the bankers
to join them in listening to him. He
spoke with all the more effectiveness
from the fact that he has lately Sc
cured control Of very large Pacific trans
portation interests.
James H. Eckles, president of the
Bankers club, introduced Mr.. Hill as a
man of broad views, of long study of
transportation problems, of knowledge
of all the relating kindred topics, and
of thorough practical experience. "Mr.
Hill," he said, occupies q forefront
place among great railroad organizers
of the world, and he has contributed
very much toward making a sentiment
in this country favorable to railroads
and reversing the sentiment which once
existed unfavorable to them. He has
emphasized the principle of establishing
beneficial reciprocal relations between
the corporations and the people Of the
territory tributary to their roads,"
After speaking with a rich store of
illustrations about the present develop
ment of American agriculture and manu-
factures, of their need, Of foreign mar
kets, especially in China, and of the way
in which new shipping can open these
markets, Mr.. Hill said:
Il do not think that the American
people will have as difficult a problem
to solve in the ships as they had in the
land transportation. l think they will
soon find the way to solve it.. Capital
has but a small field left in railroad
extension and must soon seek other
channels. l know of none SO inviting
as that which leads us to make q strong
of the country into the seas and to domi~
nate the oceans, as we certainly can If
not too much hampered by ill-advised
attempts at helping us. We can build
ships as easily as any nation in the
world.
1.-The proposed ship subsidy will be an
excellent thing, if it is not abused. l
believe If the government would pay a
tonnage on the actual commodity car
ried below certain value ton, passed
on the distance carried. there would be
some justice in it.
Unfortunately, the kind Of ships that
will receive the subsidy is one that may,
indeed, need it, but which the country
does not need. The first bill introduced
appropriated $9,000,000 a year in sub
sides, of which $7,3OO,OO0 would have
gone to the American Line. The own
ers of that line are good friends of
mine, certainly they are when l am
crossing the ocean, but think of the
100000 a year to 10 or IL ships.
called attention to this feature of the
bill and it was amended. Whatever is
done with the $9,000,000 it ought to
be distributed pro rata among all the
ships flying the American flag
I'm new bill about 80 per cent was
set apart for the Pacific ocean, and
suppose it was thought that that was
a good thing for me. Perhaps it is
financially. But my company is build
ing ships anyway without the subsidy
The nation would better take off the
duty on ships and plates, and in time
we can build as cheaply in the United
States as anywhere.
IF the appropriation is made for 6
class of ships that will reduce the cos
of carrying grain and products to new
markets, feel it will do we'll; but i
ii is insisted on giving the bulk Of thu
money to ships with no other recon-
mendation than that they can make 2,
knots on a trial trip, it will be al
wrong.
Notwithstanding, II the present bill
passes, it will not be the first mistake
the country has made, and it will no
be altogether a mistake and a loss, /
it results in starting the upbuilding D
a merchant marine under the American
flag. l sincerely hope for time whel
the American merchant marine will b.
relatively as strong in the sea as tn
American railroads are on land"