The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-19
EFFECT OF FALSE STATEMENT.
The OreGonian's Vicious Opposition
TO the ship subsidy Bill.


The silence of the Oregonian Republican
platform on the pending ship subsidy bill
must be a disappointment to the friends
OF that measure In congress and else
where. For great Pacific seahoard
state like Oregon TO have no opinion on
a measure of such transcendent import
snce to the development of Pacific ship
ping interests with our new Oriental pos
sessions must look singular to the bal
ance OF the country. But to those init
mately acquainted with the political sit
uation In Oregon there Is no mystery
about It. The bill has been so persistent
ly misrepresented to the voters OF the
state that those who appreciate its mer-
its hesitated TO make II a subject OF con-
tention AT the Portland convention. In
the interest of harmony II was thought
best to commend no specific act of the
administration at Portland. but TO dis
pose OF the whole subject OF tho admins
tration's standing by general indorse-
ment and the instruction of the dele
gates sent 10 the national convention.
Friends of the shipping bill need not de-
spair, however of getting the matter in
its right light before the people Of Ore
gon before the campaign Is over. While
the only newspaper of present general
circulation In this state has seen III to
attack and Witty the promoters of the
bill and create prejudice against IL by
false representations concerning its pro-
nence on the Coast. even those Demo-
cratic, are stanch supporters OF the bill
and strongly recommend It's passage. The
influence OF these outside papers Will
gradually be felt In Oregon and the peo-
Pile OF the state viii finally come round TO
a better understanding OF IL. IL has
been told TO the people OF Oregon. for
instance that the bin is designed to aid
the Transatlantic ocean liners; that its
benefits would go to existing fast passen-
ger steamer lines and that II would be Of
no encoura cement to the construction of
merchant steamers of moderate speed.
such as are required for trsnspaeiio com
merce.
Another SANDER against the bill Ia the
statement that its profits would largely
inuro 10 the Standard oil Company in
the operation OF It's private oil tank
steamers. and that that monopoly Is do
ing nil IL can 20 secure its passage.
~ IS strange that a newspaper OF es-
tablished standing would seek 10 so
grossly impose upon its readers. Not one
~ these objections raised 70 the bill Is
true. but on the contrary the bill has
been carefully amended and revised So as
30 exclude-specihcally IN the STANDARD
on case-these special interests from sl
participation tu It's benefits. Practically
ane-third OF the benefits OF the bill are
set apart for the Pacific coast-a discrimi.
nation almost unreasonable, when the
the possession % only one hrst-class ship
yard "a considered. Instead Of encour-
aging the construction % fast passen-
ger liners Tor the Atlantic service, an ok
animation Of the bill shows that the
larger part Of its premiums Will go 10
freight carriers OF about l2-knot speed.
These arc only few leading examples q
the mass % transformation circulated In
OREGON about tire bill With such dellbera-
ton and obvious spirit of unfasruess as
q, be diacreditRh}e n not absolutely Grim
inal The entire text Of tho bin "a too
long fcr reproduction ga the Astorian's
columns snd no attempt 20 publish sx-
tracts from Il could do Justice 10 the
merit witch AS a whole. e contains Il is
ihe duty % the various SuhorEa nizRtioDs
~ the Republican party 90 procure copies
~ the bill for immediate distribution
throughout the state u viii imposition
ably become law az this session ot con-
srcss ard every Republican worker snd
voter should be made familiar with its
prov lsions before eiectien day