New-York tribune., 1901-01-14
MR. ELKLNS ON THE BILL.
WEST VIRGINIA SENATOR STRONGLY
FAvORS THE MEASURE-wHY IT
SHOULD BE PASSED.
[Rr TELEGRAPH TO TIE rzIsuxzI

Washington, Jan Ex-senator EIkirs cordial.
" indorses the pending Shipping bill. This. too.
Notwithstanding that he originally favored
shipping bill OF his OWL constructed on different
lines He said to-day on the subject:
I am very strongly in favor OF the pending
BILL for both State and National reasons Nv
natural prediction for my own bill has been
Willingly set aside, and. not only that. but
satisfied that the bill now before the Ser
ate contains the best thoughts and ideas OF
those who are most eompetent 70 Judge as 20
the subject in all its details and best qualified
70 frame measure relating 10 IL fully realize
also the great Importance Of legislation on this
subject without delay. and therefore this is
time for squabbling over details or personal
rivalries among the friends OF the grand object
in view The broad Republican principle OF nro-
lection Is here involved 20 It's fullest extent.
and 20 rally 70 its support will be not only the
duty OF the Republicans, bur also a sincere
pleasure in the present case, because this meas
ure contains SO many features that are es-
peciaIly inspiring 10 Americans. and holds out
so many prospects Of advantage 70 the whole
American public.
favor Of this bill. and shall work for IL and fight
for H. My own State IS particularly interested
IN II. because the European markets are elaTnor-
ing Tor our coal and OIL and II responding 70 tnesS
demands We are greatly hampered and retarded
oy lack OF adequate transportation racilISles-
7 know personally OF TWO large companies in the
State which have been greatly restricted IN
their operations Just because Of this fact. and
they will each build a line OF cargo carrying
Vessels II the OIL Is passed ana IIus 6IoEU
means for supplying the foreign markets with
the coal and oil products OF West Virginia The
same sentiment exists among all The other pro-
ducing industries OF West Virginia. without
question; in fact the State may be said 70 be
unanimous for the bill
These are purely business reasons. OF course.
bur then there are also the sentiments OF pa
triotism and National pride 20 be considered.
II IS repugnant 10 Americans 70 reflect that
more than nine-tenthS OF our export freights
are carried by foreign ships. and that il time
OF war, as well as in time OF peace We should
have 70 depend on foreigners for the bulk Of
our transportation facilities. II is huniliating
70 National pride 20 read the history Of the de-
cline Of our once powerful merchant marine
and 20 see its present condition as compared
with It's past and with the present needs OF the
country. This decadence Of the merchant ma
rine is not only exasperarng 20 the patriot. II Is
also source OF practical danger 20 the COM
munity. and grossly unecouomicaI from q busi-
ness point OF view.
Why should We continue 20 pay out year after
year many millions Of dollars 10 foreigners for
services in carrying our goods across the ocean,
when all this money might be kept az home
among our own people2 All that is necessary
for this IS 10 have the American ships. and IN
this bill. The resultant impetus 70 American
industrial activity w!li an confident be Won
dsrful and uRexampled.
The argument for the bin from naval stand
point has been frequently presented. and ii IS
very strong one Any one can see what an
advantage strong merchant marine would os
10 the Navy in case OF war sun stronger, 70
my mind, IS the consideration that the country
absolutely demands numerous ard efficient
fleet OF merchant vessels OF it's Own. 20 carry
our surplus products 20 foreign markets Easy
access 70 foreign markets is yearly becoming
more imperativsly demanded. falling which our
entire commercial system would become ce-
moralized and panic stricken. and il will not
DO 10 depend for this vital necessity upon the
vessels OF foreign countries who might az any
time become ernbroiled in war with each other
or with whom we ourselves might ae az war.