Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-27
A Metamorphosis.
SHY OF SUBSIDY BILL.
Action of Leading Republican Senat-
ors Far Reaching.
Washington, March 3

Washington, March %.
The opposition of six leading repub-
lican senators, with Senator Allison. at
the head to the ship subsidy bill, has
been far more potent in its influence
upon the house, and for that matter,
the entire country, than the faithful
six had any conception at the time
the votes We're cast.
Go where you will in congressional
circles and you hear the same COM
ment: There must be something radi-
cally wrong with that bill or Senator
Allison would never have opposed it."
Senator Allison is. not opposed to a
subsidy bill properly framed On the
contrary he is strongly in favor of a
measure that will be calculated to
build up the marine power and pres
tige of this country. He is opposed,
however, to an indefinite proposition
that will likely put money from the
United States treasury where it will
not do the greatest good; into the
hands of big companies already in op-
Grafton, rather than into the construc-
ton of new ships, for the exploitation
of new business.
Senator Allison proposed eleven
amendments the day the bill was final
ly discussed Some of the amendments
We're all restrictive in character They
simply We're calculated to safeguard
the treasury against exorbitant raids.
For example the bill made certain pro-
visions as to rate of payment but in
no manner limited the gross amount to
be expended within given year. Sen
ator Allison's amendment on that point
limited the expenditure for this pur-
pose, to SS.000,000 annually. The bill
made no provision as to length of time
this subsidy was to be in operation.
Senator Allison proposed to limit the
subsidy to twenty years.
Senator Allison, speaking of the
question. said that he favored that por-
ton of the bill calculated to build up
and foster trade with South American
countries and with the Orient. via the
Pacific. He favored the proposition
giving us first class foreign mail SER
vice-that portion contained in the
| first part of the bill, or title one-but
he would have stricken out entirely
| the second portion of the bill, title two.
The bill provided that ships of 900
| tons register, or over, might collect
the subsidy whether they carried any
freight or not. Senator Allison's
amendment made it obligatory that the
vessel should carry at least fifty per
cent of a cargo to be entitled to the
bounty.
| Under the provisions of the general
| subsidy it is proposed to pay to each
ship, either steam or sailing. of over
! 1000 tons burden,an amount equal to
one cent per ton per 100 miles. Thus
a ship of 5000 tons would be paid a
bounty of $50 for each 100 miles each
way on her trip. To ships placed in
commission subsequent to the passage
of this act the subsidy is to be one and
one-fourth cents per ton per 100 miles
This additional quarter of cent is fol-
the purpose of stimulating shipbuild
ing.
Senator Allison is very much in ia
vor of the proposition that American
made goods should be transported tC
all paris of the earth. where the de
mand for them is increasing at rapid
pace in ships Of American register and
bearing our flag. He believes there is
a great field for trade in South Amer
lea and in the Orient He would ia
vor bill framed upon lines calculated
to foster and build up such trade.
Favor AlIisons Views.
1t may be stated that the Iowa dele.
| CATION is very strongly disposed tt
take the identical views expressed by
| Senator Allison in reference to the
subsidy bill. The members are all
| patriotic Americans who take the pc
sition that American vessels should
carry American goods, but they will
not favor the loosely drawn bill tina
passed the senate and that has now
come to the house for consideration.
In this connection it may be said
! that the subsidy bill will hardly ge
| beyond the house entrance at this SEES
! sion. Congressman Grosvsnor o
Ohio, chairman of the house commit
1 ON mono 40 nj ,.;n ~ ,rI S,l, o,,; -,