New-York tribune., 1901-01-19
NO ACTION ON CANAL NOW
SENATOR'S DECIDE TO
AWAIT TREATY DEVELOPMENTS.
SHIP SUBSIDY BILL TO BE RESTORED TO ITS
PLACE OF PRIVILEGE. WITH CoNCEs-
SIONS TO WESTERN SENTIMENT.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington, Jan. 1S-The caucus of Republi-
Senators held at the Capitol this morning
resulted. such gatherings have the habit of
doing, in little action of a positive and definite
character. Beyond adopting resolution oHered
by Senator Lodge committing the majority to a
postponement of isthmian canal legislation so
long the amendments to the HayPau2cefote
Treaty remain under scrutiny in the British
Foreign Office, the caucus did nothing virtually
but authorize the steering committee to go
ahead with any programme of business it may
find most opportune and acceptable. 1t was
generally agreed that the Ship Subsidy bill
should be restored TO its former place of priVi-
lege the Senate calendar. and should again
have the right of way, at least for the present
after o'clock next Monday.
1t was also decided in an informal way that
the Emergency Revenue. Tax Reduction bill
should have early consideration. Mr.. Aldrich
indicating to the caucus that unanimous re
port from the Committee on Finance Would
probably be obtained. and that the revised bill
would in that case encounter little more resist
the floor than did the Burlelgh reap
portionment measure The time for the heAt
two weeks will therefore be given Jointly 10 the
Subsidy bill, the Tax Reduction blll ana such
appropriation bills as are ready for passage;
and if any further snarl in the legislative pro pro,
gramme occurs another caucus VIII De cdlieu
early in February to untangle II.
NOTIFICATIONS OF SHIPPING BILL
Though there was little or no discussion at tie
conference this morning of the changes proposed
in the Shipping bill to make it thoroughly ac
ceptable to Republican sentiment in hoth
branches of Congress, 1t was understood -liat
many important notifications were on the point
of agreement. ~, ,,.o.
apparently yielded to pressure far enough 10
allow number of the concessions Wtllcn oS Iedun 9
Western Republican Senators have stoou oul
for. Among these is the decision 10 NM as. ~
life Of the proposed subsidy system 10 hlteeh
years. All contracts whenever entered M a.
TO be termnable in 1910 The huinDei oI tol
eign built steamships admitted to American reg
istry as offsets to the construction OF new ships
of equal tonnage at home, Is 10 be fixed at eight
and not more than four are to belong 10 any
single steamship company or hne- SteaiieI % %
more than eighteen knots speed are to draw
bounty on the same terms. no premium pelhE
given for excess of steaming capacity oll sahh nm
ships are to be excluded from the benents OF Ihe
bounty system. and additional restrictions "a
to be framed by the Secretary OF the treasury
to prevent any speculation in subsidy contdctS
II these amendments are incorporated III II, " tIle
hill it's chances of attracting a solid Repuphcah
support will have been vastly improved II
would still perhaps encounter some onJeCuoh oI
the ground that its details are 80 inNoiNtu anu
technical that few but the most practised snip
ping experts can tell what results its provisions
will or will not produce The less radical auF'-
Gates Of the measure look for its G-adnal better
ment during the debate to which II VIII W 9N"-
tected in the next two weeks
CHANGES IN DETAIL.
As reduced to writing by the friends Of tn
sbipplng measure. the amendments which It Is
proposed to attach to the Payne Hanna bill ar
as follows:
M extra compensation to be allowed vessels
over eighteen knots thus cutting on about S'"-
600 from each OF the fast going mal ships; as
provided under the original terms OF me hli
No compensation To be allowed oil tank YES
sells
The length of time for which contracts are to
he made is reduced from twenty years TO hit"en
years. -, .,,t.,oI
10 American registry, provided a ike tonnage Is
IiIt in the United States is limited 70 four yes
sels 10 each firm for each class; that IS, iour
vessels already built and four vessels FOR wh'ch
contracts have been made ana ho' toiL.,,vI L,. !.
The effect of this VIII be 10 reduce th' aHloN' t
of foreign tonnage that may admitted TO Amerl-
can registry under the terms or the OH from
about ;IOU0O to 2po,Vtl
A modification Of Clause f OF the bill makes
il necessary for any shipowner or builder
actually to begin th1 work OF construction De
fore contract will be entered INTO
Senator Mcmillan who is credited with draw
ing the proposed amendments said that COM
plete understanding had been reached in regard
to them and he felt convinced now that the
bin thus modified would be passed. He added;
| have been for the bill from the beginning
and in connection with several Senator'S urged
certain amendments solely for the purpose or
perfectinR the measure In such details as seemed
necessary and which will undoubtedly improve
the prospects of the bill | will give the measure
my earnest support, and have little doubt that
every Republican Senator will do the same.
The general effect OF all the amendments
which have been agreed to- i'm the opinion of
those who drew and urged them. Will he to
remove the chieF points Of criticism made by
those who have contended that undue ad-
vantage given the Standard Oil Company.
the owpers of fast ships and of foreign built
vessels.