New-York tribune., 1902-03-15
DEBATE ON SHIPPING BILL.
SENATOR FORAKER SUPPORTS IT
THOUGH FREFERRING DISCRIM-
MATING DUTIES

Washington, March H.-Throughout the open ses-
sion of the Senate to-day the Ship Subsidy bill
under consideration. It was discussed by Mr..
Foraker. OF Ohio; Mr.. McLaurin, of Mississippi,
and Mr.. Harris OF Kansas
Mr.. Foraker said that while he expected to vote
for the bill, he not entirely satisfied with it.
Ever since he had studied the question he had
been of the opinion that the most equitable and
scientific way rehabilitate the merchant marine
of the United States would be to inaugurate the
policy Of discriminating duties, under which the
fathers Of the country made the merchant marine
the pride OF the country. He thought that in the
circumstances II would impossible to attempt to
return to the policy OF discriminating duties. He
had followed the trend of legislation closely enough
to learn that it highly necessary to have ma
jority in favor OF any proposition before II was
enacted into law. He had consulted his colleagues
in the Senate. and recognized the impossibility OF
securing a majority in favor Of the policy OF dis
eliminating duties Being desirous of building up
the merchant marine he looked. then. for the next
best scheme for accomplishing this result The Sen
ator in charge of the bill (Mr. Frye had stated
clearly the objections to the adoption of the plan
Of discriminating duties. twenty-one treaties being
an absolute bar to that policy The next best plan
10 his mind. for the building of the merchant
marine embodied in the pending bill.
In response TO an inquiry by Mr Teller MI
Foraker replied that he believed majority OF the
Republican Senators were opposed to the poIcy OF
discriminating duties.
Notwithstanding the Republican platform OF
1882" suggested Mr.. Teller.
Mr.. Foraker replied that he had been the chair
man OF the platform committee in 1896 he was
so constituted, he said that he had to have views
OF his own He was particularly contentious IN
1896 his views to discriminating duties put
what he wanted most was the restoration OF the
American merchant marine If he could not get a
majority OF Congress 10 join in his views. ne was
willing TO achieve the great result 10 ADOPT 'e
views of the majority.
Referring to the purchase OF foreign steamship
lines Mr.. Foraker said by some 1t had been men
toned If it crime The fact was that II
any offence detrimental TO the country had been
committed it had been committed by the Senate
itself Mr. Morgan, he said. had purchased the
Leyland Line in May. 1901. after Congress had had
under consideration for two years the Subsidy bill
which failed of passage in the last Congress After
that bill had failed the last hope of Mr.. Morgan
and his associates had fallen to the ground. The
inaction Of the Senate had forced them to look
elsewhere for the ships they needed. They had
gone abroad to spend their millions for ships. in
stead Of spending them in the shipyards and among
the laboring men of this country.
ships under the American flag. Mr. Foraker said
the preponderance Of evidence was against the
in this country as cheapy abroad. In proof Of
the greater cost of ships constructed In America;
the Atlantic Transport Line showing % % that the con-
Iact price OF Two stps 1oo 9,1. 90 I iI me tn az
two ships identicalIy the same in construction.
Mr.. Foraker asserted that the International Navi-
cation Company-the American IAneIhad made e, no
sidy act and did not care for renewal Of its con-
enable the United States to build and operate ships
and fly the flag of the merchant marine in every
Mr; McLaurin and Mr.; Harris opposed the bin
on the ground that in fhfT Ps T. 1t S wes a9s
legislation which amounted TO little short Of rob-
owners Mr. Harris said that the United States
was paying more TO the American Line for the
ships for greater service