New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-29
SHIP SUBSIDY MEASURES.
IMPORTANT CHANGES IN THE PAYNE
BILL EXPECTED.
WESTERN coNGREssMENs FAVORABLE AT
TITUDE-vIEws OF CHESTER / LONG.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUxE,I


Washington Nov 2S-It is evident from con-
vcrsations with Western members arriving in
the city that the Republicans from that section
will be almost unanimous in favoring the pas
sage Of ship subsidy bill at the coming session
of Congress. 1t is also evident that they are not
pledged to any particular measure. which indi-
Gates that there may be many important changes
in the Payne bill pending on the House CAL
endar before it is finally disposed Of Repre-
sentative Chester I. Long, one Of the most
prominent members from the Western States,
and member of the Committee on Ways and
Means. whose opinions not materially diff
ferent from those of his colleagues in discussing
the question said:
l cannot say that I am in favor Of the bill
now before the House, any other individual or
committee bill, but 1 am strongly in favor OF
the principle involved, and believe that Congress
should enact some law which will stimulate the
upDulldlng Of an American merchant marine
suInclent to carry American products CT all va
rleues across the oceans to the countries OF the
world have, and believe that every cltizen
OF Kansas has, pride in the wonderful com
nerce of the United States. and we want to see
this commerce, soon as it be accom-
P!lshed, carried in American vessels, manned by
citizens Of our own country.
One OF the most important reasons that know
OF why there should be some National assistance
given to the ppbudng of n American mer-
chant marine, is that in the last twenty-five
years the percentage of American commerce
carried by American vessels has been constantly
diminishing. This is pointedly illustrated by the
last report OF the Commissioner of Navigation
for 1899. In that report it is shown that during
the last quarter Of a century the total ocean
carrying trade of the United States has dimin-
ished from PSI per cent in 1875 to SO per cent
in 1899, and it appears also that for the same
period Of time the tonnage Of our vessels en-
80 per cent Of the total Of our foreign trade TO
20 per cent, and that the foreign tonnage en-
gagged in bringing merchandise to and taking
II from our ports has increased from 40 10 81
per cent.
IN CASE OF WAR
In addition to the mere question of carrying
our own products in our own vessels Is the one
relating to the security of our country in the
event Of war. American vessels. owned by ctti-
zens Of the United States, are indispensable
adjunct TO the splendid Navy which we are now
constructing. If YOU will notice the report or
the Commissioner of Navigat ton you will find
list OF foreign merchant steamships bought by
the United States before the beginning OF
the Spanish war. none OF which. of course, could
have been lawfully purchased and taken tor
use after the war began. The total number of
these vessels was forty. and the total tonnage
was 126S1S tons. Had the continued for
another year, had it occurred with any
| stronger Power, the condition of the United
States in respect to the supply of auxiliary aids
to military operations would have been OF
the most serious character.
We OF the Middle West have much pride in
American supremacy in every line of business as
the people of the East, and willing ID do
our part in the encouragement of this industry,
although we are not as directly interested IN IL
! commercially as our Eastern friends. l favor
the principle because it IS in line with the course
pursued by other nations to foster and encour-
age their merchant marines. Great Britain
France Germany, Italy, Japan and other foreign
countries have been expanding from S2,OOoOtO
TO $4,000 600 each annually in subsidies to the
owners of their vessels. Under this policy their
merchant marines have grown and expanded un-
til they practically control the shipping of the
world
Since 1873 under the subsidy system the
French increase tonnage has been 700 per
! cent, the German 693 per cent, the Spanish 20
per cent, the Italian 395 per cent, the Neither
lands 800 per cent, the Russian 40 per cent and
the Norwegian lao per cent. Thus the total
average increase was 1856 per cent, Of which our
increase only 6S per cent.
1t is not the purpose of the Republican party
to spend any exorbitant amount Of the people :
money on the new merchant marine The bill
reported TO the House fixes maximum amount
which can be expended In any one year at
100000 It has been estimated by experts
that for many years to come the amount actu-
ally expended will not exceed S4oOOOOO per
annum.
As said before, 7 am in favor of the prin-
ciple involved but I cannot decide which bill
shall support until have carefully considered
a n them