The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-13
THE snip SUBSIDY BILL.
Mr.. Edmunds' Argument Before the
Senate Commerce Committee.
In the Course of His Remarks in
Favor of the Hnnnn-Pnync Measure
the Former ScnTfvr Admits That
Expansion Is n Condition That
Must lie Net - Mr. Frye Explains.

In his argument before the Senate Com
mittee on Commerce yesterday advancing
the interests OF the Hanna-Payne Ship Sub
sidy bill. former Senator Edmunds stated
that while he is an anti-expansionist, he
was compelled to believe that expansion
is a condition to be met" and that what
has been done in that direction ean-ot be
undone.'
The Senate committee began its hear
ings on the Hanna Payne Ship Subsidy
bill yesterday, the principal argument be-
ing made by former Senator Edmunds. who
represents the shipping interests. and spoke
in favor of the passage OF the bill. This
measure, which was introduced in the
Senate by Mr.. Frye, and in the House by
Mr.. Payne, provides for the promotion OF
commerce and the increase OF the foreign
trade of the United States and the fur
nishing of auxiliary cruisers, transports.
and seamen for use by the Government
when necessary.
In addition to the greater part OF the
committee. those who attended .he hear
ing were Louis Nixon, the Elizahethport.
n. j., shipbuider: L. T. Thurbe. OF the
New York Export Association; II. L.
Booth. President of the New York and
Cuba Mail Steamship Company; Theodore
A. Search, President Of the National Man
ufacturers' Association; Aaron Vanderbilt.
Secretary of the American Shipping
League; A. K. Smith, Secretary Of the
New York State Commerce Commission;
C. A. Griscom. President of TIE lnterna-
tional Navigation Company; Eugene t.
f-nrnrniSsioupr Of Navigation.
Col E. p. Wilson and Thomas Clyde, OF
the Clyde Steamship Line, both OF
Cincinnati and former Senator G. F. Ed
munds. of Vermont.
MIR. Frye. Chairman of the Commerce
Committee. explained at some length What
measures have been taken in recent years
TO promote the interests OF American snip
ping and to Increase the merchant marine,
concluding his remarks with brief state
ment of the condition tnat makes this in-
crease greatly to be desirgc for the gen.
eral good OF the country. Mr.. Edmunds
then took up the argument in favor OF
the passage OF the bill, which has the sup
port OF the large shipping interests for
whom he is acting as attorney. Mr.. Ed
munds began his remarks with a refer
ence to the Philippines. which. he said.
would necessitate an explanation IL his
views on the subject Of expansion. In this
connection he stated that while he is an
and therefore opposed
to the policy OF the Administration on
that subject, he believes that expansion is
a condition that will have to be met. II
have never favored the annexation Of the
Hawaiian Islands," he said. but what has
been done in that direction cannot be un-
done. and in view OF what has happened
there and in the Philippines It is impera-
tive that the United States appear i'll the
East with large and powerful shipping in
terests. both for the purpose of building up
a large commerce and Of protecting Ameri-
can interests.
"one Of the principal objects of the BILL"
said Mr.. Edmunds, lis to place vessels af
American register upon the same footing
as foreign vessels in carr; ing on trade Eith
the West Indies. the philippines. and
Hawaii. Americans never ask for an ad- |
vantage over rivals in trade and the COM
provided for in this bill is only a |
fair one" He stated further that it is de- |
sired to provide for fast vessels OF large |
carrying capacity, the reasons for this be- |
ing not only that it is necessary for large |
cargoes TO be carried anu for them to reach |
their destination quickly, but that vessels |
OF this class can easily be made available !
for use in time of war.
Mr.. Nixon stated the needs OF the for
eign carrying trade of the United States, |
and urged the passage OF the Hanna Payne |
bill as the only means OF building up this /
trade, Replying to questions. Mr.. Nixon |
said foreign ships OF war were built in |
American yards because the yards of Eu- |
rope were busy. because it was policy. and |
because the Americans built the best war
ships in the world. AS TO the wisdom OF |
the merchant marine. Mr..
Nixon called attention to the rapid growth
of that OF Germany under the subsidy sys-
tenn.
Nir. Clyde also spoke in favor OF the bill
and gave his reasons for advocating its
passage.
Today the committee will hear Messrs.
Thurber and Search.