New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-13
COMMERCE. AND EXPANSION.
HEARING, ON MR.. cFRYEis ssHEHIP SHIPPING BILL
EX-SENATOR EDMUNDs'S VIEWS.

Elk SENATOR EDMUNDSS VIEWS.
washington. Jan. 12-Thei Senate Committee on
Commerce to-day began hearings on SeHator-Frye's
b to promote the commerce and increase the fof-
eign trade of the United States and to provide
auxiliary cruisers transports and seamen for Gov
ernmeut use when necessary. Besides the members
of the committee among those present were
Thomas Clyde Colonel F.. P. Wilson, of Cincin-
natl; Theodore A. Search. president OF the Manu-
facturers' National Association A R. Smith, sec
retarv of the New-York State Commerce Commits
sion; H P Booth president of the New-York and
Cuba Mail Steamship Company; c. A Grlscom,
president of the International Navigation Com
pany; Aaron Vanderbilt, secretary OF the American
Shipping League; ex-SenA tor eGeorge s6EEEdFlunds
and Eugene T. Chamberlain Commissioner of Nay
igaton - - '.-ta .ts.,5'~s.t ..y 80
Senator Frye the chairman of the committee
presided and made general statement OF the Ell
forts which have been made in the last few years
to advance the interests of the American merchant
marine. He then called on Mr. Edmunds, VINO Is
attorney for the committee of those interested IN
the shipping interests Of the country, TO explain
the pending bill.
Mr. EdInunds said of the objects of the
measure was to place vessels of American register
on an equal footing with foreign built vessels IN
the trade with Cuba, Puerto Rico, HAWAII anu the
Philippines In referring to the philippines he
said that as an anti-expansonist he was bound
to recognize the facts they existed The United
States had expanded and it was necessary to regu-
late business affairs accordingly. Another object
was to provide for fast vessels OF large capacity
not only able to carry great cargoes to ports or
destination quickly but be vessels like the New
York and the Paris. capable Of being changed
quickly into defenders of the country ana us IN
terests This; too as an anti-expansionist, ne rec
ognized as necessary for the protection not only OF
commerce but also Of this countrys domnions.
He would not hesitate he said, to put $20OOOOO or
SIS 900 900 into a plan to accomplish the ends the
bill had in view that American merchant yes
sells might go to any port where commerce was 10
be had and be strong enough with their associates
of the Navy to remain there and get their share
A long discussion was preeipitated by an inquiry
of Senator Martin to why it was provided in
the bill that SO per cent Of snip applying f Tor
Americans Mr. Edmunds regarded the provision
necessary to insure practical American ownership
and control 1t would be more difficult for the forc
egn stockholders to acquire SontrSl Of the vessel
u t me- At hed an ~ neT cenI ~ " pei
Shey chsrman sad t was the principle of the bill
owned ships manned by Americans, which had
1 Dg foTegn nag Vessels under the America
flag would be able to compete successfully with for
eIgn ships only because of the subsidy provided in
Lewis Nixon OF Elizabethport N j. said that
American shipowrers had monopoly Of the coast
wise trade but the pending bill had little to do
eign ports it proposed to get The cost Of yes
sells and their operation under the American flag
much greater than they in Europe As
TO of war. Mr.. Nixon said they could be built
trem but there were Special reasons for that fact
which did sRPS to the OF
he said, practically at all times gone hand in
hand. In reply 10 an inquiry, he stated that If
he a shipbuilder had absolutely free materials
and free labor--the Contract Labor law being re
pealed-he would be able to compete successfully
with foreign shipbulders But he hoped this would
not be done. He told about the shipyards of Glas-
gov and the miserable condition Of the men en-
ployed there. ,.-.-.-
MIR. Nixon thought 1t particularly desirable to
encourage and build up American. tramp steamers
those vessels which are essential to the carry
ing trade of the Nation. ,-
W. D. Munson, of New York. president of the
Munson Steamship Line believed that if the bill
should become law the American shpbuilders would
rise to the occasion and soon establish a great
American merchant marine. He declared II would
be impossible for his company to american yes
sells in the present condition of affairs because
the foreign vessels they using would
them out of business.
Thomas Clyde, of the Clyde Steamship COMPANY
made technical explanation OF ship building and
ship operating in various nations particularly in
Great Britain and Norway. Before he had finished
his statement the COMMITTEES took a recess until
noon tomorrow.