Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-03
THE SHIP SUBSIDY BILL GRAB.

To the Editor OF the Evening Post
Sit: The publication OF letter from
Mr.. Thomas Clyde Appearing in your
columns under date-of December 10Th,
Indicates wish upon his part to de-
fend the position he occupies as MON.
Ter OF the Committee Of Twenty five
who have drafted the Ship Subsidy bill
for the rehabilitation of the American
n ecsntile marine. In defence OF such
position his communication deals with
many facts that 1t is here unnecessary
10 mention, owing TO the extensive cir
culation already given to the same. Ii
Ia interesting, however. to discover
that MI. Clyde is at variance with Mr..
Charles "A. Cramp, and takes excep-
tions to Mr.. Cramps well authenticated
and signed statement that we can
build ships 10 this country as cheaply
az they can be, constructed abr ad.
That Mr.. Clyde should be at variance
with Mr.. Crump simply hears out that
which is we'll known to those CONVEX
SAINT with the industry. The steamship
companies engaged In the coastsise
trade are continuously at loggerheads
with the shipbnilders, and their differ
ences have been many. We only find a
unanimity Of thought upon the part of
those interests when conditions are
such that something may he gained
from the government that will be bene-
fetal to the mbined Industries.
Mr.. Clyde dies not specifically indi-
cate that Mr.. Cramps statement is in
correct; he simply states that he can
not purchase from Mr.. Cramp ship
as oheaply as he can buy abroad. Those
opposed to the Subsidy bill oan agree
with Mr., Clyde upon such statement.
1t Is therefore rldin that while Mr..
CramD can build as cheaply he will
not sell as cheap. He merely desires
to avail himself OF an advance in price
to g hin part Of tne profit acoruing to
the steamship lines owing to their pro-
lection in the coastwise trade, afforded
ny the pre- ont navigation laws. 1t,
therefore, BIZ ONES very simple prnro-
sition; Mr.. clyde desires to purchase a
ship; OF Mr.. Cramp he requests a
| quotation, and when it is submitted
| Mr.. Clyde discovers that the price ia
well in advance Of an estimate from 1,
foreign yard. And why not? Mr..
Cramp, with his keen sagacity, fully
recognizes that Mr.. Clyde must buy
from American yards to sail the Alneri-
can flag. OF this Mr.. Cramp is fully
conyersant, and therefore, it is one pro
tected industry purchasing of another.
1t Ia an example Of diversified interests
endeavoring to reach satisfactory con
clusion how best to increase their
profits at the expense OF the govern.
ment, irrespective of the taxpayer We,
therefore, see the steamship companies
complain that the American yards
l nh faa fnu 90
| We find the shipyards likewise com.
plain that materials for ship construc-
| tio1 are sold at a price delivered in
Great Britain below that inyoiced to
| American yards. Therefore, the tax.
payer Is requested that the government,
shall expend 80, 900, 600 per annum that
manufacturers can charge domestic
yards for materials above that sold fol
export.
Mr.. Clyde also suggests that sit
might be we'll for some OF the theorists
who have made such liberal use Of
your columns to draft aud present q
better measure for the revival of oul
merchant marine before utterly con
demning those already before Con
gfess." The future will demonstrate
that Mr.. Clyde's suggestion "a alread,
under serious consideration owing Il
the country's attention again helms
attracted to the necessity for a re
Mobilization of our mercantile marine
But it would iudeeda be futile for such
propositions to be- laid before th,
present committee Of twenty-five.
prompt roteal Of the present iniquitou
navigation laws must, and undoubtedl,
will, occupy most important part IL
dealing with the subject, and al
elimination from the minds of patriot,
citizens that the present Tariff law cal
be applied TO the administration o
ships beyond the litie' of our territoria
Jurisdiction. systematic research
produces result, and a sudden paus
in the confidence that can be reposeI
10 the present committee OF twenty five
that patriotism alone prompts thei
motives for the application of the sug
gested Ship Subsidy bill as remed!
for the evils which now exist 10 GU
deep sea navigation. Efforts have psei
made by those to be directly benefited
by the passage OF this bill to have |
become recognized as party measure
but to this day their efforts have beef
unavsiling. 1t is not such measure
Ii is of a character that investigation
into the subject indicates very larg,
number of stalwart Republicans sin
cerely deprecate. With all due respec
to Senator Hanna and Senator Frye
who have supported this bill with al
the power at their command, VI
recognize that they do not constitute
the Republican party, and that tn,
party can continue in power unde
proper executive management withou
their assistance. @. Weaver Lopez.
Philadelphia, Dec goth.