Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-14
56th CONGRESS-.
Continued from page -

delivered a few days ago by Clay. Ga.
Like Clay Hanna is member Of the
committee on commerce from which
the measure now pending was report
ed to the Senate.
In opening his address, Hanna said
that the remarks of Clay had brought
into question the motives of those who
had assisted in the preparation of the
pending measure. AS member OF the
maritime committee, as we'll as a
member OF the committee on com
merce. Hanna said he felt it his right
and duty to explain the work of these
committees.
For myself" he declared, II resent
the imputation that any other motive
than those of interest in our country
and good public policy actuated the
committees"
Clay interrupted Hanna to disclaim
any such imDutation.
Taking up the bill. Hanna said that
the pending measure was believed to
be the most practical legislation that
could be enacted upon the subject. He
then sketched rapidly the rise of the
shipping industry in the Great Lakes.
He had, he said. been connected with
that industry for nearly 40 years and
had seen it grow from a comparatively
insignificant beginning to its present
condition of unparalleled greatness. He
recalled the time nearly a third of a
century ago when the ship EScanaba
carried 600 tons of iron ore from Es-
canada to Cleveland. Today he said
there We're steamers on the Great
Lakes which were carrying 5000 gross
tons in one cargo.
He maintained that this great shipping
industry on the lakes had been fostered
and protected by wise navigation laws.
To the advantage of these laws was add
ed the liberal appropriations made by
Congress for the improvement of the hdr
bors Of the Great Lakes
Hanna maintained that in order to
build UP the American merchant marine
1t was necessary to have not only capt.
tai and experience but it was necessary
likewise TO afford our foreign carrying
trade protecuon-some kind OF induce
mcnt-by law.
If this protection should be afforded.
said Hanna. the growth of the American
merchant marine would be on a par with
the growth Of the shipping industry on
Describing the rise and fall Of the
American merchant marine, Hanna de-
clared that the beginning Of the decline
in the industry was coincident with the
outbreak of the civil War,
Vest. Mo. interrupted the Ohio senator
to challenge his statement that the Civil
War caused the decline Of shipping lie
declared that the decline had begun as
far back as lN55.
In Response to Vests challenge Hanna
reviewed the history Of the American
merchant marine from the establishment
of the nation until the present time lie
maintained that the dccadencc in Amer
lean shipping had begun in 1880 ana not
in l>J5 as tie Missouri senator had assert
ed. He declared that, in tina circum-
stances. there was not, today a question
50 important to the maritime nations Of
the world as the prevention Of American
competition on the high seas.
''Ih" marine industry Hanna said, is
promoGNr of our national prosperity ami
at the same time n one Of the hulwarkS
Of our national defence. The foreign com
mcTCc of the United States is four tim IS
larger. TODAY than il WAS in 1850 and yCt
the proportion of the foreign carrying
trade is now less than uuc-third what il
was in 1880. This is the most humjlia ting
decline in a great national Industry
After paying a high tribute to Senator
Frye for the work ho had done during his
public career in tho interest ot the Amer
lean shipping. Hanna said Of the pending
subject:
''Thero is no popular question which APP
pcalS 50 strongly To the American people
as does this one of building up the sea
power Of the nation. 1t IS simple 4IeS
ton of business as affecting the invest
ment Of capital. although there is a phase
Of it that appeals to the patriotism Of the
American people.
AdVerting to the amount of the sub
sidy which would be drawn by the YES
sells OF the American international
Navigation CO., Hanna said he did not
propose to evade any Of the SANDERS
or columnious assertions Of anybody
III connection with this matter. He de-
clared that the four ships of the Amer
lean Line. which are carriers of mail
had not made a net dollar since they
came under the American flag.
Hanna challenged the assertion Of
Clay that each Of the fast vessels Of
the American line would draw 1904 $50
annually from the proposed subsidy.
Clay directed the ohio senator's at
tention to the testimony of Mr.. Clyde.
a steamship owner. before the COM
merce committee. in the course Of
which he stated the American Line
vessels would receive that amount of
subsidy.
Il am not using Mr.. Clyde's figures, :
replied Hanna. but my own