The Portland daily press., 1900-12-06
Some Opposition to This Part
Of Bill.
Senator Frye Endeavors
to Explain.
Senator Hale Says That Question
Troubles Him.

Washington, December 5.-Senator
Frye at today's session of the Senate CON
ciuded his specsh on ths snip subsidy
bill. He devoted his attention principally
| TO q tschnie1l legislation explanation OF
the various provisions of the measure, ex-
planning with especial care that pro-
vision which would admit TO American
registry foreign tuilt ships. From sever
al sources his attention was directed TO
this provision and IL is evidently one up
on which much OF the forthcoming de-
ba 70 viii rest.
Aside from the speech OF Mr.. Frye, no
business of Importance was transacted In
Legislative session.
Consideration OF the ship subsidy Dill
was resumed at the afternoon session.
Mr.. Frye OF Maine, taking the noor 10
continue his speech in support OF the
measurs begun yesterday.
Resuming his discussion OF the cost TO
the United States In the event OF the pas
sage of the bill, Mr.. Frye said the amount
Of the subsidy could he no more than 3d.
O0O. 600 per year. That limit, he said,
was fixed definitely In the bill.
$50 far as the cost to the government
is concerned" he added, ut viii be real
Iy no more than 81, SOC, ,OO0, as the subsi-
died ships are required to carry the
United States mails free of cost to the
government. The amount paid now for
the carrying of these foreign malls Is
about 81, ,5OO.0 600 year"
The limit of nine millions In the sub
sidy would not be reached far at least five
years as within tnat period there would
not be enough vessels to draw the full
amount OF the subsidy. When the limit
of nine millions is reached. the bill pro-
vides that ths 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
Subsidized. Thus all vessels enjoying the
subsidy win be ON precisely the same
plane and would receive perfectly impair
tial treatment.
Concerning the subsidy of xl70,0uo a
year provided In the bill for the enoour-
aQement Of deep sea tlsheries, Mr.. Frye
said that seamsn for steamships conld be
recruited from the fisheries services.
Discussing that provision OF the bill
which enables foreign built ships to be
brought under the American flag and TO
enjoy q portion OF the proposed subsidy
under certain restrictions. MIR. Frye said
! it had been asserted that 600, ,0OO tons OF
foreign vessels would come In at once
under the provisions as it now stands.
He said 1t was his purpose to oi1sr
gu bssitute for the present provision 90
that 1t could be determined definitely
Just how many foreign vessels would be
admitted to American registry.
MIR. Hale interrupted his colleague to
direct his attention to memorial oil
shipbuilders which he hal received. He
said he was In sympathy with the gen.
sral provisions of tine bill, but admitted
that he was troubled by that provision
which enabled foreign built vessels TO be
brought under the American Tag to en-
Joy the proposed subsidy. lie had re-
oeived, he added, strong protest against
this provision of the measure signed by
40 or 70 shipbniidsrs, in the course oil
which the statement was made that
already parties are engaged in foreign
ship yards in the construction OF vessels
which were to participate In the pro-
posed subsidy.
at is said' added Mr. Hale "that the
bounty, for foreign built ships win
amount to more than 5000. 900 year.
do not think my colleague would look
with favor on any such proposition az
that"
MIR. Frye said there was only one trou-
bic with ths statsmsnt made in the pro-
test and that was that 1t was not true.
E"Under tha provisions OF the pending
BILL" said he, "oHnsrs OF foraign built
ships cannot draw cent OF bounty until
they construct in the shipyards OF this
country an amount Of tonnage equal 90
that which they have brought from
abroad"
Mr.. Frye was satisfied that the opera
tions OF the bill ultimately would prove
TO be a profound success.
| On motion or MIR. PIatt OF Connecticut,
the Senate at 3. .45 p. M, held brief ex.
ecutive session and then adjourned.
| MN, UnEx