The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-04

The Hanna job.

tween Senators Hanna's paws yesterday
at least for the time being. 1t was side
tracked in the Senate in favor of the
Army Reorganization bill. and is no
longer unfinished business and, hence. in
the way of other legislation. We do not
envy people in his power who have been
compelled to come in personal contact
Nth Mr.. Hanna since the Senate's ad-
!ournment last evening.
AS we are given to understand when
the Senate steering committee met yes
terday morning, MIR. Hanna was informed
of the league organized to obstruct the
Subsidy bill. and urged to withdraw it for
the present, in order to save the Admin
istration from embarrassment and impor-
tant necessary legislation from failure.
1t is reported that he grew very angry,
and declared his determination to drive
the measure through at this session of
Congress in spite of all opposition. If
there should be enough of it to justify
that course he would resort to the clo-
ture, and so on. Now the cloture is not a
device popular with the old-time leaders
in the Senate. inasmuch as they regard it
as an instrument with two edges. either
OF which might cut into tender Repub-
liean spot at some future time. Possibly
Mr. Hanna may not own the Senate TO the
extent he thinks he does, and perhaps
certain of his colleagues may not be as
Indifferent to popular opinion on the sub
ject of subsidy steals as some other peo-
pie are. AT any rate. his pet measure"
has been shunted to a siding so crowded
with legislative freight cars that its
chances for getting back on the main line
between now and the fourth of March
must be uncomfortably problematical
Because they are so, it may seem a
waste of time and space just now to dis
cuss the dement's of one of the most fla
grant attempts to loot the Treasury for
the benefit of small combination of cap
italists in American history. Our excuse
for taking up the matter is, that when
SO dishonest and dangerous proposition
is on the calendar, and one so richly
backed by money, it is desirable to pre-
vent Senators and Representatives, and
the country at large from growing cool
over its vice and outrageousness.
Without troubling the reader with tech
meal details. the Subsidy bill pretends to
be in the interest of our merchant marine
as whole. while, in fact. it is solely in
that of existing persons, firms. and corpor-
ations already in the transportation
business-about a dozen altogether-who
would reap nearly all the advantages and
hanpfitE of he znd Tha t.
that the bounty paid to these iobbers and
hooters would result in a lowering of
ocean freights. Nothing of the kind would
happen. Ocean freights today are ex-
ceptionally low as consequence of com
petition for them by sailing vessels and
shippers of non-perishable commodities
therefore reap an advantage of which
hey would be deprived Il the Subsidy bill
were to become law. The direct effect of
1t would he to drive sailing vessels and
ramps from our ports and trade. It pro-
poses TO pay subsidies for mileage and
speed instead of for cargo. and for capae-
lily rather than goods The ocean liners
and other great steamships would get
nine-tenths of the bounty whether they
carry full holds or empty ones. So il
Is evident that the design of the measure
is TO give their proprietary a chance TO
kill competition on the high seas. and
place them in position to dictate terms
of carriage TO American agriculture and
a second object OF the Hanna bill is to
open way for the formation of a gigantic
shipping trust at the expense of the
Treasury. Once the subsidy grabbers had
the sailing vessels. tramps. and small lines
unable to secure bounty, out OF the way.
the conditions for trust would be ready
to hand. II might be necessary for wear
Or so to use the subsidy in the way of
for freight rates lowered 70
J point sufficient to drive all possible
-ivals out Of American commerce. But the |
oss, il any, would be made good by the |
public which. little later, would be help |
essly at the mercy OF the transportation |
rust robbers
The Job is attractively decorated with |
he national colors to cover lis rottenneas
md rasca!ity The American farmer Is
lrsei to rally round the flag. and never
leep until his wheat and corn are GER
ain Of being carried abroad in bottoms
ARRIVING the Stars and Stripes. but ex
luslyely owned and operated by the iruste
I is doubtful il the appeal will make any
erious impression in the quarter desired.
.ow or high rates Of carriage mean rela-
lively low or high price, to be paid for
roducts at the farm. The farmer is vital
= interested IN low freights There is
% discernible economic reason why he
hould he particularly interested in the
o. the carrier. especially L
REORGANIZATION OF the trade means money
Ut Of his pocket.
We are told that the subsidy scheme
-ould distribute additional dollars among
american wage earners. There is not A
inc in II 20 support such an assertion.
he provision respecting the empIoyr,ont
I American seamen is intention .lly IN
rawn that IT could be eyaded without
he smallest difficulty Not any Of the
ifbsidy is in the least likely to escaDe
re tclutches OF its original beneiiciaries.
ur aalpyards are oyercrowded with work
snret be said to need stimulation. We
an build ships in the United States as
heapiy as they can be produced any
here else in The world.
IL is notorious that slm;ia: though more
onest subsidy schemes have been tried