The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-27
HANNA DOES THE WORK.
Heals Party Differences on the Subsidy
Bin-Substitute Bill Introduced.
Especial to Baltimore SUM-

SeAt
Washington. February 2L-As fore
Swallowed in The Sun, party measure
has been brought to bear to heal the
differences between the republicans of
the house committee on merchant ma
inc and fisheries and the senate COM
mittee on commerce for the purpose
Of reporting and passing the ship SUBJ
sidy bill. The members Of the commit
tee were confident today that the bill
would be passed at this session.
Following Senator Hanna's talk TO
the republicans on the house commit
tee on Monday he entertained the dis
senting members Of both committees
at his house las night n a thorough
discussion Of the bill took place. So
thorough was the discussion that the
conference did not break up until af-
ter / o'clock this morning. A supper
was served about midnight.
Mr.. Hanna informed his guests 1t
was the wish of the administration
tina a bill should be passed at this ses-
sion and he was there to smooth over
the difficulties which had been present.
ed. He wanted to reconcile all parties
to some measure which could command
the support Of the members in the COM
mittee and in the house. The fact
that the republicans will have Difficult
ty in defending on the stump next fall
a ship subsidy bill of any character
was recognized, and especially in the
case of the members from the middle
western states, where there are no
shipping interests. Consequently their
wishes were to be complied with to the
extent of producing a bill which they
could defend and which the passage of
would not mean their retirement from
congress.
READY WITH A BILL
During the day the members of the
house committee had drafted their bill
and they were ready to a their
propositions to the senate conferees.
Mr.. Clyde, of the Clyde Steamship
Lines, was present and explained many
points on which there was some con-
fusion. He was agreeable to the adop-
ton of many of the propositions ad-
vanced. AS the result OF the confer
ence it is believed that the bill will be
amended to include nearly all of the
provisions commended for by the MINOR
ity.
1t was not thought advisable for
the minority to introduce it's bill as a
substitute for General Grosvenor's
bill, but in order to get the bill print
| ed and before the members Of the COM
mittee and of the house in a shape in
which it could be compared with that
l " LIN "A0
ferences noted, Representative Minor
introduced it late this afternoon.
The bill is considerably longer THAI
the Grosvenor bill, many f%eatures OF
which are included. The principal
points of difference are these:
The bill provides that vessels
| prior to January 1st, 1900, shall draw
| subsidy for 10 years only, but that
( ships built after that date may be
subsidized for 10 years at full rate and
| for 10 years longer at a rate decreasing
5 per cent. per annum.
The vessels are to be rated Al ano
are to maintain a certificate to TINS
effect by being inspected annually. II
they fall below this rating the subsidy
is to be cut OF.
TO EARN THE SUBSIDY.
The vessel must carry on it's outward
trip freight to the amount OF one-hal
dts gross tonnage, allowances Delns
made for bulk in the matter OF perish
able goods, mail and passengers.
The,test of the speed is increased II
six hours.
Vessels of a peculiar construction
adapted to the purpose Of carrying
mineral oils-in other words, tank
ships'-are not to receive any subsidy
This is to prevent the ships owned ar
operated exclusively by the tanda
Oil Company from receiving any par
of the subsidy.
Vessels bought abroad by the Unite!
States government during the Spanlsl
war will BE- admitted to the benefit
of the subsidy when purchased b!
American citizens.
All vessels revolving subsidies ar
to be subject TO inspection, and tn
plans of new vessels, built for the pur
pose of obtaining the subsidy, shall b
inspected by a board of naval omcers
ANY vessels which have received com
pensation from the government unde
this bill shall not be sold outside tn
United States without the onsent Q
the government.
The bill will come before the nous
committee next week