Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-12-14
A NOTABLE BANQUET HELD
National Issues Dicusssed by Ma
tional Leaders.
THE SHIPPING SUBSIDY BILL
The Senator Says the 100000, 900 Now
Paid Annually 10 Foreign Shlpowners
is Drain No Nation but Ours
Could Stand.

BOSTON, Dec. 1f.--IH celebration of
its twenty fifth anniversary the Bos-
ton Merchants association met at the
vendome last evening and We're enter
tanned by four men of national reputa-
ton with spirited addresses, chiefly
along political lines. Postmaster Gener-
al Charles Emory Smith spoke on recl-
procity; Hon. Kogaro Takahira, the
japanese minister. upon the subject OF
Commercial Relations" Senator Mar
Gus A. Hanna on the ship subsidy bill
and Hon. Henry Watterson of Ken
lucky on Kentucky and Massachu-
setts." These were the principal
guests, but at the tables We're many
men of state prominence and also Hon.
p. A. Collins, mayor elect of Boston;
Congressman Conry and Naphen and
Marion f. Taylor of Louisville, Ky.
Simple decorations of a floral charac-
ter besides the American and Japanese
flags lent beauty to the banquet hall,
while orchestral music added to the in
terest.
A reception preceded the banquet,
and at both President A. 4. Lawrence
presided.
During the evening General Collins
held an impromptu reception and re-
ceived many kilograms of congratula-
ton.
Lieutenant Governor John L. Bates,
the first speaker, represented Governor
Crane He extended the welcome of
Massachusetts to the guests.
Senator Hanna was the last speaker
and confined his remarks entirely to
the question of ship subsidy and the
latest bill for that purpose which has
been presented to congress. He re-
ferred to the fact that the American
nation is today supreme in the agri-
cultural and Industrial business of the
world, but is at the very lowest in re-
gard to its merchant marine. He re-
ferred first to the growth of the mer-
chant marine on the great lakes and
said that this had been accomplished,
first, by our natural advantages, and,
second. by the protection given by the
United States government.
The coastwise trade of this country
has grown almost as rapidly under the
same provisions and the same protec-
ton. In 1889 the First congress passed
laws allowing the increase of the mer-
chant marine. The capacity Of the
American vessels in the foreign trade
at that time was 123,S93 tons. After
ten years it had increased to $4,000
tons. In 1921 the American ships car
ried So per cent of the foreign com
merce. In 1926 ii reached the high wa
ter mark and carried 81 $40 per cent.
In 1861 was the highest point we ever
reached, when the American ships car
ried 2.306S9 tons to foreign ports, and
then it began to decrease. 1t decreased
40 per cent from 1861 to 1865. From
the highest point in 1861, when we car
ried 90 per cent, we have decreased
until today American ships only carry
per cent of the foreign tonnage.
We are building a magnificent navy
and shall continue until we are second
to no nation. We should also build
something for that navy TO defend. The
amount now paid annually by Ameri-
can merchants into the pockets of for
eign shipowners is $20o,000000. No
country on the face of the globe could
stand that drain but the United States.
And why need we stand il: We can
see how the subsidy is affecting Eng
land and her war with South Africa.
Her vessels have been taken for trans
porting her troops and munitions.
while the raw materials from our
mines, etc, are lying on our docks
awaiting transportation abroad.
Mr.. Hanna spoke of the bill intro
duced into congress last year and De
clared that the bill that was presented
last Monday had been simplified and
modified to meet the objections to the
former one.