The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-26
Commercial Centre Of Country May
be Established There.
REVIVE MERCHANT MARINE.
This Question. DECLARES the Senator.
Is the Most Important One Now
Before the People Great
Natural Resources.
Especial Dispatch to The Times.)

Hanna contributes to the Manufacturers
Record of tomorrow a comprehensive
article dealing with the industrial posi-
biIities of the South and the South's in
terest in the development of American
shipping. In stating his views on the
possibilities looking to the upbuilding of
the country, Senator Hanna says:
Whether right or wrong in my eco
nomic convictions, my chief purpose is
to apply their principles to the promotion
of my country's welfare utterly regard
less Of section
And in discussing the future of the
South and it's interest in shipping, he
says:
1T has seemed to me ever since I be-
gan seriously to study the SUBJECT OF
marine in the foreign trade, that it was
one in which the South is probably more
deeply interested than is any other sec
ton of the Union, looking not to to-day
alone but to the future. L shall not be
surprised if the seat of American COM
mercal empire is eventually transferred
from the East to the South. The great
problems of the future with which Ameri-
can statesmen must deal strike directly
home to every Southern interest. | re-
gard the, revival of our shipping in the
foreign trade as the most Immediately
pressing of all our great national prob
lens. Next in Importance is the con-
struction of an Ithmian canal. But steps
for the recreation of our shipping, it
seems to me, should preccde the con-
struction of any canal Not only should
we have carSoeS to carry through such
a canal, but we should also be assured of
the ships in which to carry them. shan
not believe that the Industrial, the mer
camille, the agricultural and the financial
representative men of the South differ
with me upon this broad proposition, no
matter what is said in their behalf by
those in Congress claiming to represent
them
WE'RE FULLY ABREAST.
Senator Hanna then calls attention to
the fact, not generally understood, that
atty or sixty years ago the trend of
Southern public opinion was then fully
abreast. if not leading the North, in re-
spect, to American shipping interests, and
adds:
Southern commercial organizations
then, as now, placed themselves SQuareiy
on record in favor of direct national help
III the creation Of American lines OF
ships. The fact that so much Southern
money, earned in raising cotton, went to
the foreign ships that carried it to Eu-
rope, was dwelt upon more than sixty
years ago, and it was asserted that the
South would be infinitely better off il
that money We're paid to American ship
owners, and thus kept at home, employ
ing our own people. Even Southern
State Legislatures felt impelled to force
fully appeal to the National Government
for direct aid in order to secure frequent
and regular sailingS of American ships
with Arnelicancargoes to distant lands.
The intervention of our great Civil
War diverted the minds of Southern men
away from these channels through
which their material welfare could be
best advanced and the losses resulting
therefrom explain in q large degree the
long time that elapsed before the re-
sources of the South were either known
by its own citizens or by those Of other
sections of the country, to anything like
the extent that they are now known.
GREAT RESOURCES
with the upouilding of our shipping.
supplemented by the creation of an 18TH
mian canal going hand in hand, there is
everything to suggest that the great Mis-
sissiDpi Valley and the whole Southern
section will pour their surplus from mine
and soil and mill into Southern seaports
Ior export 10 the most distant parts of
che world l have been most de&ply i'm
pressed with the resources and the posi-
biities OF the South for many years That
section is endowed with the greatest
natural mineral resources of any in the
world. The coal and iron Industries in
the South are yet in their infancy. There
are wonderful deposits Of both minerals
awaiting development, and the people who
control these industries have told me time
ind again that the one difficulty they
meet with every year in building up the
export trade is the Aack OF adequate ana
regular transportation. l have known.
- Il
in Congress within the last three years, OF
several enterprises which contemplated the
organization and establishment OF a line
from Pensacola to South America, one
from Norfolk to South America, and mn
other to a Mediterranean port, awaiting
decision upon this question. The develop
nent Of our shipping will do more FOR the
rapid contamination Of the hopes OF our
friends in the Southern States than any
thing else, because in connection with
that comes further investment of capital
in these industries, and the greater the
facilities the better the opportunity 10
increase their trade, the greater the de-
nland for more capital.
WHAT'S IN a NAME?
1T may not be called a subsidy when
Southern city offers, through It's munich
p..l government, to exempt from taxation
tor :, period of years Sill industries en-
pioying many people ana enhancing the,
value of surrounding property b, the
stimulation of business III every line of
trade Counties occasionally bond them-
selves to induce railroads to pass through
them turning the proceeds of the bond
sale over 10 the railroads as a bounty, or
as a subsidy, or as a bonus-Hhaterar you
WIFI. The presentation of large traets OF
lnnd TO corporations looking for sites for
mills and factories may be regarded as
enterprising and cotnn!endaple if it adds
to your welfare; and who will quarrel as
10 the proper term With which TO cEarGe-
terize the aid that was inducement suiii-
Gent to bring such Il condition about'
"A similar condition exists upon the sea.
The business is there, and it can be
made profitable to our own people, and by
our own people acting as a whole instead
of as q. section The things that citizens
in localities are willing 10 do to secure the
establishment of new and profitable in
dIstries in their midst, they must be VIII
ling to do as a part OF the entire nation
to secure the establishment OF Il shipping
of our own upon high seas. And whether
it be called government aid, or subsidy, or
bounty, matters not so lons as the IN
10