The Topeka state journal., 1900-01-25
FAYORS SUBSIDIES.
National Board of Trade Endorses
Shipping Bill.

Washington, Jan. 25-The following
resolutions respecting our merchant ma
rine have been adopted by the national
board of trade:
Whereas, United States vessels in
1926 carried go per cent of the nations
import and exports, 81 per cent in 1S45,
rs per cent in 1856, and only per cent
in 1893, showing lamentable decline in
our merchant marine in the foreign
trade, owing to the fact that it is con-
Quoted on free trade basis. and
Whereas, The tonnage of vessels in
the coasting trade, in which foreign
competition is absolutely forbidden, in
creased from 722, $3.50 in 1926 to ], ,223,2
in 1S45 and 2,247, ,663 in 1856 and to 1885,,
313 in 1899, thus demonstrating the abil-
ity of this country to meet all its needs
in the matter of shipping when properly
protected. And
Whereas, The United States is now
paying to foreign ship owners nearly
5000, 100000 annually to do our ocean
carrying trade, which sum increases
yearly; and
Whereas, The enormous decline in
our ocean merchant marine is due to
the lower wages paid abroad and to the
subsidies paid by foreign governments.
Great Britain alone, according to docu-
ment No. 47O, miscellaneous series, is
sued by the British government in 1899,
paying last year So, ,266.380 IN postal
subsidies and $233, 005 additional to the
same steamship lines in naval subven-
tions' while for mere wages alone the
cost of operating an American ship is
almost exactly one and a half times the
cost of operating a similar British ship
and the same difference in wages gives
greater advantages to foreigners n eV-
cry way, including lower cost IN the
construction of ships, and
Whereas, The protective principle
should be extended to our shipping in
the foreign trade, that it may be built
up, as has been done in the case of
other Industries, including our coast
wise shipping; and
Whereas, The profitable employment
of the surplus productive power of the
farms, factories, mines, forests and
fisheries of the United States impera-
lively demands the increase of its for
| eign commerce.; and
Whereas, The merchants vessels,
| officers, machinists, electricians and
| seamen necessary to the increase OF the
| commerce of the United States are also
| essential as auxiliary to the forces OF
| the United States in time of war and
| otherwise and to the better security OF
| the nation and to the protection OF its
| possession; and
Whereas, 1t 81 deemed. especially ex-
! pedient to make immediate provision to
| these ends, Therefore this memorial OF
! the National Board of Trade assembled
| in Washington, respectfully presents TO
| the honorable house of representative es
| and senate of the United States, that the
delegates now here representing all sec
| tions Of our country, find it to be a
| matter of supreme interest that our
| foreign exports have now reached the
largest figure ever known and offer
| further opportunities for increase in
still wider fields. To give force and
emphasis to these opportunities and to
| give supremacy to the exceptional ad-
| vantages of the past year. this country
| needs a revival Of its merchant ma
| rine."
Your memorial is this that the Ma
! tional Board of Trade, respectfully rep
resents that the Frye senate bill or the
| Payne house bill, will be effective tc
this end. The principles embodied Air
these bills have met the approval oi
the president of the United States, the
secretary of the treasury and the com
missioner of navigation and they have
| been endorsed by nearly every trade
and commercial organization IN the
country and by the press to an exten'
which shows an overwhelming senti-
ment in their favor.
The argument for an American mer-
chant marine has had the further dis
tinct recommendation of foreign dele
gates to the recent export convention
as essential for the further cementinG
of trade relations with the countrie:
they severally represented
In view of these conditions your me
mortal is this, the National Board O
Trade look with .corddence for you
early and favorable sction on this sub
| iect.