The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-30
MUTUAL SYSTEM
OF PORT RULES
Pam American Congress
Considers Matter Of
Tonnage Dues.
Subcommittee Makes Sug-
gestions Intended to Pro-
mote Commerce.

CITY OF MEXICO, Dec. 29.-The COM
mittee ON water transportation of the In
ternational American Conference will pre-
sent it's report this week. The recon-
rnendations suggested are those of Vol
ney w. Foster, the American member of
the commission, and they will be pre-
sented to the conference in the following
form:
First-That so far as may be practicable all
port charges upon ships be combined in one
SUCH due consideration being given to equita-
BILE adjustment Of such dues upon ships in car
go and those in ballast.
Second-That gross tonnage Of vessels be
taken as a basis for the collection OF ton
ThirdNThat each Of the repub1icA here repre-
sented be recommended to modify port and har-
Dor regulations so that vessels entering and
clearing may do so with all possible dispatch
and that to assist in securing this result the re-
spectfve countries shall encourage the building
of most modern dfschargfng facilities.
Fourth-That for the purpose of promoting
commerce and mutual intercourse, a uniform
system of maritime and customs administra-
ton nomenclature be adopted which shall des-
ignate in alphabetical order in equivalent terms
in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French
the commodities upon which import duties are
levied to be used by all the American
publics for the Ievying Of customs imposts
which are or may hereafter be established and
are also to be used in shipping manifests, con-
sular invoices, entries clearance petitions and
other customs documents. but not to affect in
the import duties they may now have in force
or which they may hereafter establish. For
the purpose of obtaining and compiling official
information and making recommendations to
their respective republics, there shall be con-
stituted committee to be known as the IN
ternational transportation commission. Said
commission shall consist of one member from
each of the signatory countries, Who shall be
appointed by the republic which he represents.
Powers of Commission Are Advisory.
The commission shall meet in the city of
from the date of
adoption of these recomnendations by the
majority of republics represented in this con-
ference. Each republic shall pay the salary
and expense of its commissioner and one com
missioner may represent more than one repub-
lie The voting in the conferences held by the
commissioners shall be by republics, each re-
public represented to have one vote. The COM
mission shall appoint permanent executive
board of five members which shall sit at Wash
the United States, in his absence or fnabi
ity to attend, his appointee, as chairman ex
offcfo. The commissioners shall carefully
study the subsidy question as a means OF en-
couraging maritime commerce and shall fully
advise themselves of the attitude of their re-
spectfve republics in this regard, to the end
that their conclusions may be practicable and
of a character that will make their adoption
certain The powers of the commission shall
be advisory only. 1t shall be empowered to
adopt such measures Will make practical and
effectual the recommendations above set forth
and shall recommend to the respective govern
ment represented therein the adoption of such
measures as may be deemed by it beneficial
executive committee shall carry into effect
recommendations made by the general COM
mission 1t shall collect, tabulate and publish
in the English. Spanish. Portuguese and French
languages such information concerning the
production, commerce and customs laws and
regulations of their respective countries as 1t
may deem best. The expenses of the executive
COMMITTEES shall be paid by the respective coun-
tries represented upon the same basis now in
use by the Bureau of American Republics for
the support of said bureau. 1t is recommended
that the Bureau of American Republics be util-
izad hXy he zaid m Is
correspondence and in every other practicable
of the Treasury of the United States.
Arbitration Scheme Baked.
A slight difficulty has arisen in the mat
ter of arbitration. 1t had been arranged
that all delegations were to adhere to The
Hague convention, and all nations in
favor of compulsory arbitration were to
sign another treaty among themselves
embodying that principle. The latter
group say that they agreed to this ar
rangement as a compromise, but with the
distinct understanding that both plans
were to be presented to the conference.
Now it seems that the United States
delegates and others who are in favor of
The Hague convention pure and simple
wish to exclude the compulsory plan from
the conference, leaving those nations
which are in favor of it to sign 1t outside
and independently of the conference. This
the compulsory party will by no means
agree to, and two or three OF them said
presented they would refuse to sign the
arrangement for joining The Hague con-
Vention.
The function at the Church of Our Lady
of Guadalupe this morning, at which the
Pan-American delegates were present,
was one of the grandest and most irnpos-
ing religious ceremonies seen in Mexico
for some time. The Archbishop of Mex
leo officiated.
In the procession the delegates of all
the American nations took part, each car
III rvs fla SaTa
ator Davis and the other members of the
United States delegation were present and
took part in the procession, the United
States flag was carried in the procession
by General Frisbie, an old-time American
resident of Mexico. Afterward, in the
presence of the Archbishop, the flags were
laid in turn on the high altar, General
Frisbie depositing the American flag.
After the service the Archbishop held an
informal reception and presented to each
delegate a commemorative silver medal.