New-York tribune., 1900-12-06
URGING THE SHIPPING BILL
SENATOR FRYE FINISHES HIS ARGU-
MENT FOR THE SUBSIDY
MEASURE.
tBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rn1BuNr.l

cluding his detailed analysis OF the provisions of
the Payne-Hanna measure Some objection
raised by the Maine Senator 10 this colaborative
and popular designation of the bill under discus
sion: for the measure as now revised and redrawn
bears only a slight resemblance the original
bin introduced IN the Senate by the chairman of the
Republican National Committee and in the House
by the chairman Of the Ways and Means Com
mittee. The bill the Senate is asked to pass is
modified and improved draft. emitting practically
all Os the more extreme provisions against which
both friendly and hostile criticism has been aimed
for two years past. Mr. Frye declared that the
bill before the Senate presented the clearest and
soundest judgment OF those most capable OF de-
vising ways and means to restore the American
merchant marine. and II that most urgent aim OF
true National policy to be accomplished. ne
could no surer and more practical method OF
procedure than TO adopt the plan now matcreo IN
the Commerce Committees bill.
Mr.. Frye may speak again before the debate on
the Shipping measure, especially II vigorous eHort
is made by the Democratic opposition TO 1orce
through free ship amendments. Rlmors WhIca
reached the capital to-day that the Vickers sons
& Maxim combination in England was trying TO
purchase the Midvale Steel and Cramps shpoullo-
ing works discussed with interest although
unconhrmed. So far the Subsidy Dill IS con-
cerned. a change Of ownership such as is rumored
would in no way affect the aid given under the
subsidy scheme TO vessels which acquire American
registry and sail under the American flag.
ANNUAL COST NOT OVER 100000
Resuming his discussion OF the cost to the United
States, Mr.. Frye said the amount OF the subsidy
could not be more than 50 100000 a year. That
limit fixed definitely in the bill $50 far as the
cost 10 the Government is concerned" he ADDED
'it will be really than S5OOo0, as the sub
sdized ships required to the United states
mails free Of cost 10 the Government The amount
paid for the carrying Of these foreign nH4ls Is
about 81 1000 a year"
Remarkable statements had been made. he said
concerning the amou=1 &c the subsidy, the figures
having no: $50 OOO0 and S5O0Oo0O0 ana even
as sign S1O0000,0O0 year. But, SAID ne
there is no method whatever in the madness OF
the critics Of the bill The limit Of 100000 woulo
not be reached for least five years. as within
that period there would not be enough vessels to
draw the full amount OF the subsidy. When tne
limit is reached the bill provides that the Secretary
OF the Treasury shall reduce the amount OF the
subsidy paid for sailing and speed premiums-the
reduction to be pro rata among the ships suhsi-
died Thus all vessels enjoying the subsidy will be
precisely the same plane and receive perfectly
impartial treatment.
Referring to the provision requiring all ships TO
take freight UP &c certain percentage Of their
carrying capacity Mr.. Frye said il would prevent
vessels like the American liner St Louis from par
tcipating in the benefits of the act He announced,
therefore that tomorrow he would propose 10 the
Committee on Commerce amendment srovlding
that ali ships shall take freight TO amount
equal 30 per cent Of their carrying capacity when
leaving port Of the United States for foreign
port. That would distribute the products to be
carried as 10 do no injustice 10 anybody.
Concerning the subsidy OF $4,000 year provided
for the encouragement of deep fisheries, Mr..
Frye said that seanen for steamships could be re-
crulted from the fisheries service.
ADMISSION OF FOREIGN BUILT SHIPS.
Discussing that provision Of the bill which enables
foreign built ships 10 be brought under the Amerl-
can flag and to enjoy a portion of the proposed
subsidy under restrictions Mr. Frye said ii
had been asserted that OO0 tons OF foreign vessels
would come in at under the provision as il
stands. He said IL his purpose 10 offer
substitute for the present provision that It could
be determined definitely just how many foreign
vess7 7le would be admitted 10 American registry.
~ Hale interrupted his colleague TO direct his
attention to a memorial of shpbuilders which
he had received He said he in sympathy with
the general provisions of the BILL but admitted that
he was troubled by that provision which enabled
foreign built vessels be brought under the Amer
lean flag to enjoy the proposed subsidy. He had
received strong protest signed by forty or fifty
shipbuilders, in which the statement was made
that already persons are engaged in foreign ship
yards In the construction Of vessels which to
participate n the proposed subsidy. 1T is said'
added Mr.. Hale, that the bounty for foreign built
ships will amount TO than 100000 year.
do not think my colleague would look with favor
on any such proposition that"
Mr.. Frye said there only trouble with
the statement made in the protest, and that
that it not true Under the provisions Of the
ships cannot draw a cent of bounty until they coz-
struct in the shipyards Of this country amount
Of tonnage equal 10 that which they have brought
from abroad" He believed a provision for the ad-
mission Of foreign built ships under proper re-
strictions wise because II would insure to the
United States respectable feet Of merchant
sells within a reasonable time" Mr.. Frye was sat-
ished that the operations Of the bill ultimately
would prove to be a great success
Mr. Foraker directed attention to objections urged
against the free ship provision of the bill
Mr. Frye replied that he always had contended
.gainst the doctrine of free ships, but when pre-
vious subsidy bill on which he had worked had
proved 70 be a dead failure in Congress, he had
agreed TO proposition 70 admit TO American regis
try the New-York and the Paris, of the American
Line with the agreement that two ships of corre-
spending size and speed should be built in this
strictly American line Of ships to Europe The sue
cess of that venture had induced him 10 insert IN
the pending measure the provision for the admis-
of a certain hxed number Of foreign built yes
tions. He did not believe that another ship would
be admitted 10 American registry except those
specifically provided for in the pending measure
In conclusion Mr.. Frye referred TO what he
measure-criticism which he said based on no
fair knowledge Of the provisions OF the
bill II had been carefully considered and material
ly amended. he said TO meet the legitimate oo5sc-
tons which had been urged against It.
Mr. Teller said he had not heard Mr.. Frye state
why there had been a decadence in the American
merchant marine. Il join with the Senator from
Maine" he said. '1n desire for a restoration Of
the American marine. but l have not received
much encouragement from what he has said
Mr.. Frye replied that he had discussed that
been printed in full Mr.. Teller stin desired infor
nation he would give II 10 him.
On motion OF Mr. Platt (Rep., Comm the Senate
at 3:45 D. held brief executive session and then
Aside from Mr. Frye's speech no business OF i'm
portance transacted in the legislative session