New-York tribune., 1900-04-11
STEAMSHIP OWNERS PROTEST.
STRONG OBJECTIONS RAISED TO DELAYING
EXTENSION OF NAVIGATION LAWS
TO HAWAII.

Washington April 10 (SpeoiaD-An amendment
to the Hawaiian bill. which was proposed ana
adopted a few minutes before the vote was TAKEN
the passage Of that measure In the House oi
Representatives last Friday, has been made tho
subject of exceedingly vigorous protest oy Amer-
steamship companies and owners or steamships
whose vessels engaged In the carrying trace oe-
tween New-York and Honolulu and San Francisco
and Honolulu. The amendment provides that 'le
navigation laws regulating the coaswise trade shali
not become operative TO the trade between the
Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States ana
the ports OF Hawaii until the expiration Oh one
year after the approval of the act
The protestants assert that TINS amendment 10
calculated TO do serious injury to the shipping IN
terests of United States engaged in that trace.
and Is designed simply TO beneht the owners VI
three or four foreign vessels plying between Puget
Sound ports and Honolulu and such other foreign
tonnage as may be brought temporarily into that
trade 1t is pointed that in the expectation that
the navigation and coastwise laws and regulations
Of the United States would be extended over Ha-
wall the shipping interests this country both on
the Atlantic and the Pacific, have been preparing
and providing for the change; that the Pacific coast
merchants and shipowners have within the last two
years bought fewer than thirty-hve American
vessels with aggregate cargo capacity OF more
than uSCOO tons. and at an advance In cost OF iuiy
so per cent over the value OF the tonnage before te
annexation of Hawaii. These vessels nave peeh
bought expressly for the Hawaiian trade
Other provisions have also been MADE. Inc
Am NH a waiian Steamship Company or WHich
Charles R. Flint. of New-York Is the principal
owner is now building four steamships OF over
5000 tons cargo capacity, at a cost or more 'hah
81 OOOOO for the trade between Atlantic ports anu
Honolulu These vessels will be in service by july ny
four other vessels of similar cargo capacity ana
cost for the same trade. The Oceanic Steamship
C'omDany OF Francisco has also peel III
rreasine it's service for the trade between san
Francisco and Hawaii and Is ABOUT 10 lnci i -
stfll further the addition of three new VeSselS
building and nearly READY 10 & ne iatie t aho m
each of which will have cargo capacity OF ABOUT
The protestants further assert that ships are to-
day leaving San Francisco in ballast for ftaWalian
ports TO load cargoes of sugar for NeW-foTR anu
other Atlantic ports, because there Is not
engaged i'm the carrying trade between the faclHc
Coast and Hawaiian ports; that the trade between
Hawaii and Northern Pacific ports Is comParatlV;eis
small owing the fact that all the fia"liitli an
sugar destined the Pacific Coast Is Shlppeu 9y
way of San Francisco; that the Nessels alIe'I!
purchased and those building and soon TO be
requirements of the Hawaiian trade Tot tlie neAt
year and that the postponement or the applGaiioh 40
OF the navigation laws for year VIII woIh IN i.ii
mense hardship and injury TO the American cap
tal Invested In American shipping by bringing into
competition at the outset OF their new enter
prise old and obsolete foreign tonnage ,
| behalf of these interests II Is asserted tlal
| had any public notice Of the House amendment
been given before its adoption IT would never nave
| coasts with the exception of the state or WASH
ngton, would have united in protest against sucn
| unjust and damaging legislation - - ~,
II is understood that the Commissioner OF NaNl-
cation is strongly opposed to the amendine nl pro-
Viding that the coastwse navigation laws snail not
| be extended to Hawaii until after the expiration
| On motion Of Mr. Cullom. the Senate to-day non
| concurred in the House amendments TO the
| ference Senators Cullom, Lodge and Morgan being
named as conferrees