The Saint Paul globe., 1900-02-18
HANLEY TALKS SHIPS
OPINION OF GRAIN GROWERS Sec
RErARY ON THE HANNA-PAYNE
SHIPPING BILL
PRESENT SHAPE IS OPPOSED

IL Gives to a Small and Insignificant
Interest am Opportunity to Earn
Large Subsidies without Any
Guarantee That a Pound of
Freight Will Be Carried-The Bill
Should BE Amended.
J. C. Hanley, who recently appeared be-
fore congressional committees on COM
merce to oppose the passage of the Han
na-Payne shipping bill as representa-
tive of the farmers societies which he
represented, was interviewed yesterday
on the subject of the subsidy bill and
said in substance:
1.-The agricultural interests of this ma
tion purpose to take a hand In the
makeup of this bill, and will oppose to
the end any attempt to force through
measure that is so unjust and unfair
to the farmers of the country as this
proposed bill. Our representatives IN
congress are beginning to realize that the.
agricultural interests are at last aroused
and determined that legislation will be
enacted that will benefit that large class
of our citizens who represent the ma
jority of the citizens of this nation en-
gagged in agriculture, whose wealth IN
vested in agricultural property amounts
to more than many other interests COM
bine, who produce S4,0OO, ,0Oo,000 OF
wealth annually from the soil, who con-
tribute fully 70 per cent of this nation S
exports from the farm. This vast indus
try, on which the prosperity of this ma
a. hoe rs
elected and meagerly represented. The
roster of the house of representatives
and senate shows that out Of the 444 mem
sbers there are only II farmers IN the
house and in the senate. They nave
decided that this wanton neglect on the
part of our national lawmakers snail
cease, and have determined to send their
own representatives to Washington TO
watch the interests Of agriculture, to
oppose measures that would be against
the farmers and aid in the passage OF
such laws as would benefit the industry
of agriculture
In reference to the ship subsidy Dill,
Mr.. Hanley said:
''I am opposed to the bill In Its pres
ent state, as 1t gives to a small and an
insignificant interest which represents
only per cent of our commerce a chance
to earn large subsidies without any guar
antee that a pound of freight would De
carried, which to us seems most UNJUST
proposition But we are informed tnat
the treaties are in the way Of paying
subsidy on the freight actually carried.
This may be true, but must have more
disinterested opinion on this question
than that of ex-senator Edmunds, VINO
is the paid attorney of the shipping IN
terests, and who naturally would pc
=, nf
clients by such opinion. I have not
heard as yet from any other recognized
lawyer of ability, nor from the judiciary
committees of congress that their opinions
agree with ex-senator Edmunds
''If, however, we find that the treaties
are a fatal obstacle, we may favor bill
that would pay an export bounty to the
vessels of all nations which. from a
farmers standpoint, would be the quick
est and most advantageous proposition
to him. 1, personally, would favor this
only as a last resort.
."Then there would be the next and
most popular plan, that of giving notlce
to the nations with whom we have
or bounty to American ships for the
freight actually carried.
"In regard to our position on the Han,
na-Payne bill now before congress, as TO
what amendment we propose to offer,
I can answer that quicker by quoting the
following letter written couple OF days
ago to Senator Hanna and other mem
bers of congress:
Feb. Is, 190O-Hon. M A. Hanna. Unit
ed States Senator, Washington, u. e.
Dear Sir: Is 1t true that the shipping
subsidy bill is to be withdrawn? l per-
sonally would regret this action, unless
it would be found that the shipping IN,
terests would not consent to have the Dill
amended so that 1t would achieve the re-
suits which the farmers desire, namely
the "Upbuilding Of our Merchant Marine.
/ have some suggestions to offer in the
way of amendments which zbe1eVe Would
do much to remove the objections now en- en-
tertained against the bill, known as the
Frye-Payne subsidy bill.
First would make fiat rate or l cent
per ton per 100 miles to all snlps, ror out. .
ward trip for the first 5000 miles, and M
II cent extra for each additional l0Vo
miles travelled to foreign port by the most
direct route by land or sea to said for
eign port.
Second-Provide that this payment
made only to vessels that carry three
fourths of its registered capacity or over
in freight cargoes outward trip.
Third-Provide that this payment be
made so that 1t would not exceed one
twentieth of the cost value OF the snip IN
under the American flag for at least
twenty years.
Fourth-That the subsidy should cease
to such vessel at the expiration OF sucn
period as the amount so paid would De
equivalent to the first cost of the ship.
Fifth-Old ships to be rated at least
per cent per year for deterioration TO en-
ter the list of benefciaries New ships to
expire at the end of twenty-five years.
Thus making provision for new vessels
in future.
Sixth-Double the rate now proposed for
round trip to the outward trip.
(This would pay the vessel just as muSn
money and would help our export trade
while it would avoid paying subsidy on
imports and thus neutralize the tariff
Seventh-To increase the appropriation
for mail subsidies or contracts to poln'
that would fairly compensate those foul
American liners, who under this bill
would consume the greatest amount OF
the subsidy, and which has raised the
greatest and most substantial opposltloI
to the bill.
Eighth-To limit the speed clause up te
16 knot ships and over, as follows: Oae
tenth to IL knot ships extra for each lVi
miles on outward trip: u knot ship, 2-It
cent extra; 13 knot ship, 3-10 extra; i.
! knot ship, 40 cent extra; Is knot ship
$40 cent extra; 16 knots and over, Git
| cents extra. This speed clause good only
on outward trip.
Ninth-Make the time limit or the SUD
sidy thirty years.
Tenth-Limit the amount to all vessels
to pro rata if earnings amount to more
than s9,OOO,0OO in any year.
think that we could get together Il
your shipping interest would meet with us
| on these lines. This is not what we want
you must understand, but as all those
things are the result of compromises,
think it would be better for all interests
/ to agree on some such plan as herein out.
lined rather than defeat the possibility
of any legislation at this time, and COM
pei us to take up the longer and possibly
/ the most satisfactory plan of revising the
treaties, which would require several
years time and effort to accomplish. This
condition would be aggravated very much
as in the meantime the trade of the Orient
would become established and new condi-
tions would confront us in the future that