New-York tribune., 1901-01-04
FAVORS PRIVATE CABLE.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THINKS GOV
ERNMENT COULD NOT LAY ONE
IN PACIFIC PROFITABLY.

The regular monthly meeting of the Chamber OF
Commerce was held yesterday afternoon. Norris K.
Iesup. the president, was authorized 10 appoint
committee Of five 10 recommend 20 the Chamber at
its next meeting what action shall be taken i'm re-
gard 70 the report Of the Charter Revision Com
mission
The report Of the Committee Foreign COM
1erce in regard 10 a transpacihc cable pre-
eentsd by Gustav n. Schwab. The report recon-
nends that the cable be laid and maintained by
private enterprise of the first Of laying
the cable and the cost Of annual maintenance The
committee thinks that the Government could not
pro1tably undertake this work. the cable in
order 10 be commercially profitable and useful
would have 10 go China and Japan. A United
States Government cable would probably be
permitted 10 land in those countries the members
say The report makes lack of experience another
obstacle for the Government.
In advocating private ownership the report calls
attention the bill introduced in the House OF
Representatives by Cong g-essman Sherman. This
bin authorizes the Government to contract with an
American cable company for the annual payment Of
$4,000 for a term of twenty years for the trans
mission of official messages. and gives the Govern
ment authority 10 take possession of the cable I'm
Time or war, rebellion or other emergency.
The report was adopted by unanimous vote
Copies Of the resolution will he sent to each member
OF the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The report Of the Committee on Taxation was
presented by George f. Seward. The leading feat
ure OF the bill reported by the committee is the
local option provision This provides that the local
governing bodies Of the different political divisions
OF the State may declare what property now tax
sbe shall be free from taxation or subject 10 taxa
ion al a reduced rate. The bill also provides for
hasing the State tax proportionately on the gross
revenue OF each county other political division
The committee advocates the bill reported because.
the members say. it would prevent part of the
State being compelled to pay an unjust proportion
OF the State taxes. They hope that the Hill would
nave some effect in preventing corporations and
business enterprises from being driven into other
States because Of high rates of taxation here The
committee reported that Wheeler II. Peckham. s
B. Clarke and George w Wickersham had advised
the committee that the Legislature had full au-
thority to delegate 10 local governing bodies the
Functions indicated by the bill. The report Of the
committee adopted by a large majority
Among those elected To membership in the Cham
Der were Ashbei P. Fitch and John wanamaker.
Mr. kasson Reciprocity Commissioner, made
speech, in which he submitted suggestions
esrding tariff legislation. One was that the
Boards Of Trade of the United States should de-
Nise plan for constituting a commission Of ex-
rerts 10 keep merchants informed tariff legisla-
ron, and the other the establishment of an ex-
Washington. Mr.. Kasson said that the want OF
cooperation between the men who have the knowl-
edge and the Government which has the response
hility OF legislative action was public misfortune
Mr.. kasson said that American tariffs were largely
formed on the representations and demands Of in
dividual interests and not the result of an
investigation by an impartial commission. OF his
suggestion for commission he said:
II might be defined as the United States Central
Committee Of Commerce and Industry, and should
have for secretary able man. with sufficient sal
He should be q medium of communication be
tween bis immediate constituency and the Govern
ment I'm all matters Of legislative and executive
action affecting their interests