New-York tribune., 1900-04-02

SYNOPSIS OF GENERAL GROsvENOR'S
REPORT TO THE HOUSE
A MEASURE TO PROMOTE COMMERCE AND
INCREASE FOREIGN TRADE


washington. April 1-General Charles H. Grosve-
nor the chairman of the House Committee Mer-
chant Marine and Fisheries. on Saturday filed with
the House the amended shipping bill blouse Reso-
luton No s) and the report in it's favor which has
the approval Of the Republican members of his
committee.
General Grosvenor's report opens by stating the
object OF the bill, which is Ito promote the COM
and increase the foreign trade of the United
States. and to provide auxiliary cruisers, trans
ports and searnen for Government use when neces-
sary" II that all persons interested or who
had desired be heard had had the opportunity
There difference of opinion among those
who had appeared before the committee I'm regard
to high desirabty Of some effective legislative
action for the promotion Of the great National OBJ
1ects referred TO in the preamble or the Dill
Methods alone arouse differences.
The need Of abundant establishments for the con-
struction docking and repairing of ships, an ade-
quate Navy and "a great feet of merchant yes
sels all IN diness for any exgency. Is asserted
"a self-evfdent proposition" Recent experience
has abundantly demonstrated this. On these
grounds other nations have fortified themselves by
increasing their sea power in all OF the ways re-
ferred to- with the double object 'of Strengthening
their facilities and power for carrying on foreign
commerce.
The of shipbuilding 1t is stated is in Great
Britain at least 90 and probably averages .. per
cent lower than In the United States. shown by
the evidence Of those who appeared at the hearings
the Bill in charge
The committee finds that the average wages paid
to American sailing vessels crossing
the Atlantic $50 and TO British seamen s4
month; on long voyages from the Pacihc Coast 70
Great Britain American wages were from S5 TO $50
and British Sl2 IS TO 81 58 month on such yoy.
ages American boatswains receiving from 81 20
80 and British from sls 4 to 2i 30 SO that II
1esses we're 0 'e ne less a the
American wages" On passenger steamships in the
vessels were only slightly larger, but for other
portions Of the crew. such as hremen. trfmmers.
etC
the British average being Just about one-haf the
The principle of the bill advocated by the com
mittee, says the report is unique; IL Is that
far assisted by the policy and the money OF
of equality 10 all, according 10 service rem
our present needs 1T is hoped and expected. will
in due tim time give US lastly sa IA a nG e
markets Of our products, as well as an Amer-
seIs receiving compensation go; and it will also
most important t9 our National honor and safety)
give a great feet Of vessels auxiliary to our
Navy and Indispensable military operations
abroad"
CARDINAL PURPOSES OF THE BILL
The Grosvenor report states that the cardinal
purposes of the bill are:
First-To aid in a real. practical way-and no
doubt under existing conditions, the only possible
way-in bringing, 70 the greatest extent possible
and thus saving our country certainly more
which row goes TO increase the wealth Of other
nations.
seconG-To greatly increase the expectation and
sale of ali k.nas of our spera bundant productions
and especially in the vast regions of Eastern Asia
evidently very soon 20 be opened to the trade of
the world. This is trade that the nation best
prepared In will necessarily
greater proportion of by it's ships. under It's
flag, and with its postal facilities and Us
own commercial establishments for the disposal OF
its productions
Third-To bring into existence at the earliest pos
sble time great American feet of merchant ves
sells built in our own country, with our own ma
terial and by our own labor as most necessary
OF National aid and National safety in times
Of International other disturbances, the
probability Of which is unhappily not small, even
now.
Fourth-To increase the number OF citizens
who viii be educated in seafaring work and VINO
will thus have the skill and be better able TO de-
fcnd the honor and interests Of our country on the
seas. however suddenly the occasion may happen.
F'ifth-The bill, we think, WILL If the proposed
compensa ton Is large enough, accomplish these
great and important purposes.
General Grcsvenor's report concludes;
II will of course. take considerable time to
reach the desired end, but the sooner the policy is
The means proposed are open 10 the capital, the
equal terms. There IS ground for any form
Of monopoly. There IS absolute safety TO the Tre
ury in the fact that no payment can be made until
in each and for each voyage the work Is actually
performed. AS have before stated il is certain
that vessel great small. fast or slow, in the
list afford TO make single voyage without
from the voyage, and in doing which com
mercal business she is fulfilling one of the great
purposes Of the bill
We report herewith the proceedings of the com
mittee in the various hearings We have had.
In view of the foregoing considerations we ear
nestly recommend the speedy passage Of the blll
with the amendments reported in connection with IL
SUMMARY OF THE BILL.