The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-06
SHIP BILL CONDEMNED
SENATOR CLAY OPPOSED TO THE
GRANTING OF SUBSIDIES.
Tits i'm which Mr.. Hanna and others
northumberland Free Deliv-
cry Debate i'm the House.
WASHINGTON. March st appear

WASHINGTON, March SIT appears
likely now that the Senate will reach a
vote on the pending shipping bill one week
from next Monday When Mr.. Frye, in
charge OF the measure. endeavored to Sc
cure an agreement for the taking of
vote. that date was mentioned being
satisfactory 10 the minority members of
the commerce committee.
Mr.. Clay, of Georgia, addressed the Sen
ate to-day in opposition to the bill and had
not concluded when the Senate adjourned
He made a forceful and interesting argu-
ment, which was given careful attention
by his colleagues. With regard to the
claim that American merchant marine
must be subsidized because subsidies are
granted by competing governments. Sena-
tor Clay undertook to show that neither
England nor Germany give any general sub
sidy TO its merchant marine. Both govern
ments pay for ships which can be con-
verted into auxiliary cruisers. but that is
all. Great Britain's payment in this line
was but 500, 600 a year. He contended that
there was no general subsidy of its mer-
chant marien by either of the two govern
ments. which are the chief commercial
rivals of the United States.
the present bill with that Of the last Con-
gress which had been defeated by the ac-
tive work Of the minority. He recalled the
estimate of the commissioner of naviga-
ton. upon which that former bill was based.
that IL would require nine million dollars 4
year 10 Offset the advantages enjoyed by
the foreign merchant marine. and COM
Jared with that estimate the one from the
same official. who now says that a sub
sidy of one million dollars a year will eff
feet the same result. The enactment of this
bill would not result in any material in
crease in the number of ships flying the
American flag The senator concluded by
declaring that in his opinion the bill is
vicious in principle. in that IL is an effort
10 aid private business through taxation of
the people.
In the course of his argument Mr.. Clay
made the point that the postmaster general
such changes in the ocean mail service as
was contemplated by the pending bill.
Mr.. Aldrich interrupted 10 inquire whether
the foreign mails were carried in American
vessels.
Il think not" replied Mr.. Clay The
mail was getting through, he said but he
could not say how much was being carried
by foreign and how much by American
steamships.
Mr. Harris inquired if there were any
provision in the pending measure looking to
competition in the letting of contracts for
the carrying OF ocean mails.
Mr.. Clay replied that the whole matter
vas in the hands Of the postmaster gen.
eral
us IL not a fact" suggested Mr. Hanna.
that all mail carrying contracts are let
In that way"
Il think the senator from Ohio is cor
rect" responded Mr.. Clay. My under
standing is that under the act of 1891 the
foreign mail service Is left to the post
master general TO contract for in his dis
CretiOn.
There is nothing in this bill changing
the method OF making contracts" sug-
gested Mr.. Hanna. That is the point
wanted 10 make clear.
To this Mr.. Clay agreed
Mr.. Clay took sharp issue with Mr. FRYE
who had stated that American ship yards
were not filled with work. The Georgia
senator declared that his information ac-
uuired from shipping and naval journals
was that the shipyards of this country
had orders on their books that would re-
quire from three to four years to fiji
Without concluding his speech Mr.. CLAW
at 4 o'clock yielded the floor promising 10
20 on with his address Tomorrow
Early in the session the Senate PASSED
the legislative. executive and judicial an
preparation bill. the second the big sup
ply measures to be acted on at this SEES
sion