New-York tribune., 1900-12-14
try and good public policy

such imputauon-
RISE OF GREAT LAKES SHIPPING
Taking the bill. Mr.. Hanna said the pending
measure believed TO he the most practical
legislation that could be enacted on the subject
He then sketched rapidly the rise OF the shipping
industry Of the Great Lakes. He had he said
been connected with that industry for nearly forty
years. and had IL grow from a comparatively
insignificant beginning 10 its present condition of
unparalleled greatness Ne recalled the time near
ly third OF a century ago. when the ship Es-
canada carried six hundred tons Of iron ore from
Escanaba 10 Cleveland. To-day he said there
steamers the Great Lakes which were
carrying six thousand gross tons in one cargo. He
maintained that this great shipping industry on
lakes had been fostered and protected by salu-
tary and wise navigation laws. To the advantage
OF these laws were added the liberal appropria-
tions made by Congress for the improvement Of
the harbors of the Great Lakes. Mr. Hanna main
tained that IN order TO build up the American mer-
chant marine IL necessary to have not only
capital and experience but Il was necessary like
wise Ito AFFORD foreign carrying trade protec-
tion-some kind OF fundamentally law" II this
protection should be afforded. the growth Of the
American merchant marine would be on par with
the growth OF the shipping industry the Great
Lakes.
Discussing the rise and fall Of the American
merchant marine. Mr.. Hanna declared that the
beginning Of the decline in the industry coin
cident with the outbreak OF the Civil War.
Mr.. Vest. Of Missouri interrupted the Ohio SEN
stor TO challenge HIS statement that the Civil War
caused the decline Of shipping He declared the
decline had begun as far hack as 1855
In response 10 Mr.. Vests challenge. Mr.. Hanna
reviewed the history of the American merchant ma
rtne from the establishment OF the Nation until
the present time. He maintained that the deca-
dence in American shipping had begun in 1860. and
not in 1856, the Missouri Senator had asserted
He declared that under the circumstances there
was not to-day a question important TO the
maritime nations Of the Old World as the preven-
ton Of American competition the high seas
This marine industry" Mr.. Hanna said, lis pro-
motive of our National prosperity and at the same
time IS one Of the buwarks of our National de-
fence. The foreign commerce of the United States
times larger to-day than II was in 1850 and
yet the proportion OF the foreign carrying trade is
now less than one-third what II was in 1850 This
IS a most huminating decline in a great National
industry
PURELY BUSINESS QUESTION
After paying a high tribute to Senator Frye for
the work he had done in the interest of American
shipping. Mr.. Hanna said:
There is no popular question which appeals
srqngy TO tn the M s poMe Rso % h m Nh S 1t 9Hs is
a simple question Of business as Affecting the in.
il that appeals TO the patriotism of the Ameri-
can people.
Abiding TO the amount Of the subsidy which
would be drawn by the vessels OF the American
international Navigation Company. Mr. Hanna said
he did not propose 10 evade any Of the ISLANDERS or
calumnious assertions Of anybody in connection
with this matter. He declared that the four ships
Of the American Line which are carriers of mail
had not made a net dollar since they under
the American flag He challenged the assertion OF
Mr.. Clay that each Of the fast vessels Of the
American Line would draw SS04.oeo annually from
the proposed subsidy.
Mr clay directed the Ohio Senator's attention to
the testimony Of Mr.. Clyde, steamship owner.
before the Commerce Committee, in which he said
that the American Lines vessels would receive
that amount of subsidy.
Il am not using NJ. Clyde's figures" replied Mr..
Hanna, but my own"
Mr. Vest called attention TO the fact that Mr.
Chamberlain, the Commissioner Of Navigation,
and one Of the strongest advocates Of the pending
measure also had said that the American Lines
vessels would receive $4,000 annually from the
subsidy.
After asserting that his figures showed that the
American Lines vessels would receive less than
$3.50 900 year each. Mr. Hanna declared that with
the subsidy the vessels OF that line would not earn
as much as was earned by the vessels OF the Gu
nard and White Star lines under the mail subsi-
dies received from Great Britain. There is no
profit in that line" declared Mr.. Hanna, "and there
never will be a profit under present conditions.
Mr.. Lindsay. Of Kentucky, inquired If it was true
that even with the subsidy the American Line yes
sells would not earn much the vessels OF the
Cunard and White Star lines
Then I'd Ike 10 know said Mr.. Lindsay, what
good policy there can be in passing this Dill II the
Mr. Hannas reply was contained in long argu-
ment, in which he explained the funda mental prln-
ciples OF the pending measure. He dwelt at length
on the desirability OF having large merchant
marine 10 draw on for auxiliary ships in case Of
war.
win all ships auxiliary 10 the naval power Of
& seis as transports and supply ships parucpate IN
7 DO not think So. replied Mr.. Hanna.
Then" retorted Mr. Vest. the language Of the
bill ought 70 be changed"
Referring to what he termed the newspaper at,
tscks on the pending measure. Mr.. Hanna declared
that the men who took the responsibility Of the bill
tesy and consideration as were the critics of the
proposed legislation. Where will you look for the
American merchant marine inquired Mr.. Hanna
but 10 the men who have given their lives 10 the
consideration or the question:
BENEFITS EXPECTED FROM THE BILL
After dwelling al length on the efforts of the
maritime nations Of Europe TO prevent the invest
ment by Americans Of capital in the upbuiding of
an American marine and urging that the proposed
construction Of the Nicaragua Canal was, together
with the rehabilitation of this country's marine
power, only part OF the great problem of trans
portation, Mr.. Hanna said that no palmer propo-
sition than that contained in the pending bill ever
was presenteo. ~ would attract capital and lay
the foundation for a great industry. The enact
materially benefit the shipbuilding Industry and
increase The demand for labor in every department
foreign markets for surplus products" Mr..
Hanna declared, "or must curtail our produc-
Think OF what that would mean! 1t would mean
the throwing out OF employment OF thousands and
tens OF thousands OF men and the consequent in
creased competition for employment
Continuing. Mr Hanna maintained that the re-
cent achievements Of the United States had placed
this country in the firing line of nations and all
0 his 20 s SnGT that 1t was respected
he demanded, shall we shrink from responsibility
point OF reason and business? When we see this
opportunity open to us to possess ourselves OF our
share, for when the American people start in any