The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-12

States army, navy or marine corps dur
ing the Spanish war or the Philippine in
surrsction shall have certain service de-
Quoted from the time required to perfect
title under the homestead laws was
passed.
Mr.. Clay then was recognized to de-
liver a speech upon the pending subsidy
bill.
Mr.. Clay contended that the promotion
of commerce and the Increase OF foreign
trade Of the United States. two of the
most important objects OF the pending
measure. would not follow It's enactment.
The one definite thing known about the
operation OF the proposed legislation -
that 1t would take from the treasury of
the United States 100000 a year for
twenty years and donate that vast sum
to the ship-owners carrying the foreign
trade of this country.
Mr.. Clay said that under the bill 1.-THE
subsidy to be given vessels up TO twelve
knots, which are really our great freight
carriers, is only III cents per gross ton,
while. the subsidy given to fast steam
er, which carries chiefly passengers and
fine manufactured goods. is 3s cents per
ton for twenty-one knot ship"
He elaborated what he deemed to be
the injustice and the inequality of the
measure In this respect" presenting a
comparison OF the cargoes carried by the
"
can line, and by the Manhattan, one of
the great freighters of the Atlantic
Transportation Company. The COMPARE
son showed that the Manhattan, four
teen-knot ship. carried immense quanti-
ties of agricultural and manufactured
products, while the st. Paul carried pr.c-
tically no manufactured or agricultural
products, yet the Manhattan viii receive
little more than one-third OF the subsidy
given the St Paul
Mr.. Clay contended that the greater
part or the exports Of the United States
were carried in steamers of less than
eleven knots speed. and that 1t was not
within the bounds of reason or justice
that the fast vessels should receive the
great bulk Of the subsidy. Mr.. Clay main
tanned that the BILL as formulated by the
committee, would not tend to increase the
merchant marine of the United States.
Ship Owners Organized.
If said he senators will examine
the testimony taken before the commit
tee. the conclusion will be reached that
the ship-owners have a thorough organ
ization TO carry through this legislation.
They are not seeking opportunities to
build ships but they are trying to secure
legislation that will enable them to go
in the public treasury and draw 100000
annually TO divide among themselves If
those who favor this legislation are act
Ing In good faith, why did they not pro-
vide that the subsidy shall be paid to
those who will build ships hereafter?"
Mr. Clay vigorously attacked the
amendments which had been made to the
bill since the present session of congress
began. and presented long technical ar
Rument In support of his assertion that
they had been made In the interest of a
favored class OF ship-builders. He held
that. as only ships constructed within
the time specified by the bill could enjoy
the subsidy, It would be impossible for
capitalists to build new ships after the
lapse OF the specified period to compete
with the subsidized vessels
After discussing the facilities of the
United States for ship-building, Mr. CLAW
argued that there was no more reason
for giving subsidy to ship-b,IIldcrs and
owners than to the farmer who produces
wheat or cotton or corn If the shin
owner r. entitled to subsidy, he con-
tended. sthe farmer is equally entitled ia
one.
At the conclusion OF Mr. Claws speech
Mr.. Hanna, who in common with sem
afors on both Sides Of the chamber. had
given close attention TO the address. said
ne had expected to submit some remarks
on the hill today, but owing to the late
ness of the hour would postpone the de-
livery or his address until Thursday
The senate then. at 4:2o D. M. on mo-
ton Of Mr. Lodge. went into executive
session AT 5Aa p. m. the senate adj
journcd