New-York tribune., 1901-01-07
Subsidy BILL PROSPECTS.
SENATOR FRYE THINKS 1T HAS A GOOD
CHANCE OF PASSING THE SENATE
rTE FINDS NO FAcTIoUs OPPOSITION TO
TT-AMENDMENTs WHICH WILL IN
PROVE IT'S CHANCES
rpY rrrEeRsrH 10 TIE rRrpusE.l

rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TBIBUSEl
washington, Jan. 6.-In the opinion Of Sen
stor Frye the chances OF the Shipping Subsidy
hill IN the Senate are still excellent The Sen
ate steering committee intends TO continue the
MEASURE in the legislative programme after the
Army Reorganization bill passes, and will rec
ouamend night sessions for the purpose of has
tening vote. Three amendments recommended
bv the maritime committee of fifteen will be
accepted by the Committee on Commerce at its
next session. This committee has the bill in its
care. and it is believed by the majority of its
members that the new amendments greatly i'm
prove the measure
One Of them involves the insertion of clause
IN Section 9 of the bT which is designed to
protect American vessels engaged in the trans
portation Of cargoes to ports in Central America
and Mexico Under the provisions of the bill
as originally reported certain vessels were
barred from the reception of the bounties pre-
scribed by the measure because a part Of their
cargoes was consigned to United States ports
on the Pacific Coast. and the steamships were
accordingly classified as engaging solely in the
coastwise trade. AS matter Of fact only a
small proportion Of the cargoes of these vessels
is sent TO Pacific ports. while the bulk thereof
clearly comes under the classification of foreign
trade.
i3 Of the BILL prescribing the conditions under
which owners Of vessels may be permitted TO
enjoy the proposed subsidies. AS the bill was
originally framed all the owners Of the vessels
were required TO give bonds TO the United States
Treasury agreeing TO build new vessels within
FIVE years aggregating at least % per cent Of
the tonnage already in existence. Inasmuch as
ownership was often complex, it was found that
this provision would be impracticable and Il has
been decided 70 make this requisite apply only
70 a majority Of the owners. To simplify this
section the Secretary OF the Treasury is author
lied TO retain % per cent OF the compensation
from time 10 time earned by those entitled 10
such subsidy as security for the performance
Of the obligations assumed in the bond.
A new section is added to the bill, defining
gross TONS" as provided by Section 4.15S of the
Revised Statutes. AS for the foreign built
steamships admitted to subsidy under the bill.
against which some objection has been urged,
Senator Frye states that it IS absolutely certain
that at the outside this class Of vessels amounts
TO not more than 100000 gross registered ton
mage. Senator Frye viii not foreshadow the
fate Of the bill in the House If it should pass
the Senate, but he has no doubt OF favorable
result IN the body over which he presides. He
said to-day:
/ can ind no tactious opposition TO the bin,
Notwithstanding the report that Ellbusrerlng
tactics were TO be resorted TO by its enemies,
nor do look for prolonged discussion. Not more
than four or i've speeches remain 70 be made
on each side, and arrangements will be made
whereby these speeches be delivered IN
night session, If necessary. The Army Reor-
ganization bin VIII doubtless be passed by the
middle OF the current week The Shipping bill
viii then be made the unfinished business and
will have the right Of way, but there VIII be no
disposition on the part Of its friends 70 antag-
onize the regular appropriation bills as they may
be presented.
The opposition TO the bill is clearly traceable
% the foreign shipping interests, and when the
tine comes for taking vote IL will be found
sured- The amendments recently decided on
will certainly tend TO facilitate the success Of
the bin, they remove all legitimate sources Of
objection from all those who have American in
terests ar heart.
One of the principal objections raised against
the bill was that In it's original shape IT unduly
favored high speed vessels and Disseminated
against vessels Of low power and capacity,
which carry the farmers products. This objec-
tOn was In reality due TO a misunderstanding
Of the terms Of the bill In its original form on
the part Of our agricultural interests; but az all
events IL has been obviated in the amended bill,
and, as a matter Of fact, the cargo carrying
vessels OF this description favored by the
measure in its present shape.
Our National prosperity depends so much upon
the revival OF our merchant marine that ii
would seem that Congress cannot afford to
neglect 70 rally to the support Of this impor-
years deliberation on the part Of those most
competent 10 Judge OF the needs of the COM
munity in this respect. Incidentally, the defeat
OF this measure would result in the demoraliza-
ton OF our foreign trade IN case Of war, owing
TO the lack Of a sufficient number Of
vessels not 70 speak Of the lack OF transports
for our troops and munitions in a period OF
hostilities.