Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-18
AMERICAN SHIPPING.

1t is asserted as a statistical fact
that only nine per cent. of our foreign
carrying is done by American ships.
ninety-one per cent. being carried in
foreign bottoms. whose owners receive
some s200,0O0,000 annually from the
American people. This is a state of
affairs which should not be permitted
to continue. and the subject should re-
ceive the thoughtful consideration of
progressive people. American com
merce should be carried in American
ships, built and owned in this coun-
try. The establishment of shipbuild-
ing plants and the investment of capt.
tai in ships should be encouraged and
assisted In every legitimate way. II
both of these industries are profitable
Investments in other countries, why
not in the United States? It is claimed
that 1t costs more to build ships in the
United States than 1t costs to build
them abroad. and the fact that the
great transatlantic steamship lines
have all their ships built in Great
Britain and other foreign countries is
cited in proof of the assertion. This
may be true under present conditions,
but will not q change of conditions be
effected If q greater interest is shown
In the matter In this country and
plants of equal magnitude are here
established? VIII not this enable us to
compete for the millions OF business
that Is now given to other countries?
We have been successful in every other
line. why not in this? Once such a
movement was given q fair start COM
petition would rapidly grow up at home
and others would quickly see the oppor-
tunity for the establishment of i'm
mense plants; experience and capital
would be attracted and unite in ex-
pandng our building facilities. In
n short while we venture to assert that
American skill would be able to build
ships as cheaply, if not more cheaply, in
the United States than they can be built
anywhere else in the world. Then
shipbuilding will be one of our greatest
national industries. 1t has already
been proven that war vessels can be
built as cheap In this country as In any
other. Then why not merchant yes
sells? We feel confident that the time
is not far distant when the capitalists
of ollr country will anpreciate the op-
portunities offered and when every
suitable port on tho American coast
will be able to boast of it's splendid
shpbuiiding plant. The output Of
these plants should be owned by Amer
lean. capital. operated by American
sailors and fly the Stars and Stripes.
The commercial value in the possession
of our own ships, whose owners will
find 1t to their interest to build up new
lanes of trade, and to find wider mar
kets for our products the world over;
the economic advantage to be gained
from keeping at hcme tho 5000 600, 900
every year that is said to be paid out
to foreign ship owners and which sum
goes out OF the country for the enrich
ment and employment of aliens, are
alone great considerations. The mari
time nations of the world appreciate the
advantages of q large merchant marine.
No section of the country is better
adapted to the construction of modern
ships than the South. The materials
with which to build the ships may be
found to-day in the soil of Southern
States. the skill with which to build
them may be easily educated from
among the people of the South. and
climatic conditions are especially ia
vorable. The trade exists to furnish
cargoes, and a larger trade may be
developed easily.
Why. then, go abroad for the in
struments of trade when we can make
them at home out of our own materials.
with our own skilled work
ingmen? There is no better loca-
tion Tor the establishment of
one of these great plants than
ut Norfolk, and it gives us pleasure to
note that there is movement OH foot
looking in this direction. This move
ment should be encouraged and de-
veloped, that the enterprise may be or
sufficient size TO meet the requirements
OF competition. Success attend the eff
forts of the promoters.
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