New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-07
HANNA ON SHIPPING BILL.
THE MEASURE DISCUSSED FROM A BUS
MESS MANS POINT OF VIEW.
IT'S PASSAGE URGED IN THE INTEREST OF
LABOR AND COMMERCE.


Washington. March 6-A notable speech was
made in the Senate to-day by Mr.. Hanna OF Ohio,
on the pending Shipping bill. which he discussed
from the point of view of an American business
man. His arguments were carefully arranged. he
was always forceful and earnest, and at times De-
came eloquent. He commanded the undivided at
tenton Of the Senate and of the galleries and when
he closed he received congratulations from many
of his colleagu
Mr.. Hanna's remarks were principally IN answer
to Mr. Clay's speech Of yesterday. He said tnat
when Mr. Clay quoted from Mr.. Frye's speech
that all there was in this question which required
legislation was embraced in the question OF
labor. he was correct. Il stand by that PROPOSE
ton he declared, but I go further. The ore III
the ground is worth about Is cents ton. After 1t
was touched by the hand of man, It was labor
Nire+v-fve per cent Of the OF a ship built In
American shpyards, In any shpyard. is purely
labor The cost of the construction of ship IN the
United States as against that in either England
Germany France. simply measures the difference
of wages and the efficiency of American labor.
NEED OF AN AUXILIARY NAVY.
Mr.. Hanna declared that the merchant marine
was the only industry in the United States which
has not received the fostering care Of this govern
ment. will anybody deny" said he. the I'M
portance the absolute necessity, of having an
auxiliary for our navy in the form OF a merchant
marine shaped under the direction of the Navy
Department, and in time Of war absolutely IN the
hands and under the control OF the President OF the
United States, to use II in the most eHecuVe man
ner?"
70 +be r-,itad states failed to profit by the
perience of the older countries of Europe, who
have adopted policy in reference 10 marluhe
matters, it would make a most serious MISTAKE
Every merchant ship constructed in foreign coun-
tries was meant TO be a ship of war in time OF
need.
Mr. Hanna cited the feeling Of uneasiness along
the Atlantic Coast at the beginning OF hosuhtes
with Spain and the relief which was experienced
Nl0or tDn UgH
called on by the Secretary Of the Navy. under the
conditions of the law passed by Congress. 10 per
form picket service. He insisted that II was as
important a national question as an economic
policy to carry with the expenditure for building
up the navy the expenditure for an auxiliary navy
and merchant marine
There is something more in this transportation
question. he said. than merely carrying mail letter
bags there is more in it than dollars and cents to
the United States. He would like 1t TO be dis
cussed above party considera lions because every
felt like pride in the countrys advancement
and development. and whatever is best for the in
terests and safety and the perpetuty OF American
institutions is best for all
MORGAN sYNDICATE's PURCHASES.
Mr. Tilman interrupted TO ask for information
in regard to the reports that the Morgan syndicate
had bought two three Of the European lines OF
steamers.
You must ask somebody who knows" replied
Mr.. Hanna. Il do not know anything about it
1T was only reported you know" suggested Mr.
Tilman. and I thought that the Senator. being
in touch with that class Of people,
why does the Senator say in touch with
theme asked Mr.. Hanna.
The Senator is "A man engaged in shipping Is he
uot?' said Mr.. Tiliman.
"On the great lakes, yes" responded Mr.. Hanna
but why does the Senator assume that know
what Mr.. Morgan has done?'
Il thought the Senator and Mr. Morgan were
friends" replied Mr.. Tilman.
Il know nothing about the purchase OF the Ley
land Line by J. p. Morgan & Co." said Mr. Hanna
amy more than the Senator does That is simply
the investment Of American capital Under the pro-
visions Of this bill not single those vessels
ever will come under an American register or an
American flag"
Mr.. Hanna said capital seeks only Investment
from which it get returns
If that be true" inquired Mr. Tillman. why did
the German Emperor not go 10 England to get his
yacht built instead of coming TO this country
Mr. Hanna said there some things ne could
not answer, but he thought Prince Henry was glad
the Emperor did not do II.
Perhaps the Senator has not heard Of the sue
cess and prestige of America In the yachting line
suggested Mr.. Hanna, amid laughter. The German
Emperor wanted the best yacht. and therefore came
here"
MI Tilman wanted TO know what kind OF Yacht
1t was. and Mr.. Depew described 1t as sailing
racing machine Of the type as beat the two
Shamrocks.
CONTEST FOR ORIENTAL. COMMERCE.
Mr. Hanna declared that not an American shin
yard had contract for another merchant vessel
after the nine or ten vessels now under contract
were finished, Everybody knows, continued Mr.
Hanna, that the United States is now engaged in
a hand TO hand contest with foreign nations TO
secure the commerce Of the Orient and that the
United States had been foremost and steadfast in
its policy to the markets Of China and hold
them open door. The Philippine Arcbtnelago
was the key to the Orient and when it had become
d naval station surrounded by all the protection
that a maritime fleet would need II would becone
FACTOR in commercial conditions In the Orient
Mr.. Hanna then said it was the purpose of the hill
under the postal system. to establish line on the
gained her supremacy in the markets of the world
oy pursuing the policy Of establishing direct com
Personal contact" he said. is what brings re-
theoretically at work 70 put in the connecting ink
between the Pacific and the Orient" ''''e MIN
bill would bring result of Increased trade witp
vent by Way Of Ler TaSns and {h1f a the trade
teoreign ships. and thence was transshipped to
goods in American ships there would be an increase
OF American trade. '0
WAGES IN AMERICA AND EUROPE.
In closing Mr. Hanna again alluded to the oues
ton or the cost of labor maintaining that wages
IN this country averaged so per cent higher +bar
IN European countries. Tie cost of ships buiIt in
the United States from Is to 80 per cent higher
than those built in Great Britain the difference in
the price OF labor making the difference IN cos+
The difference between the cost of operating Arns
lean and foreign ships about n per cent tba !
higher rate being paid on American vessels He
urged that the pending measure be enacted into |
taW as the one way to demonstrate to the salts
faction of all that it would be benedoent in it,
operation '1'"' III IT'S |
More as appeal than as an argument to those |
VINO were not convinced of the excellent results 70
pc OBTAINED from the bill, he said he besoupbt |
congress TO keep pace with the world in exerCis7ns
me natural advantages and commercial resources |
or which all Americans were so proud 0N4O00 |
Early IN the session Mr.. Frye in chsrca ~ +h |
shipping bill. obtained agreement thai the Sene
dte snoul1 vote on the measure and all pending
baine at p m Monday March Il that time
Before consideration Of the Shipping hill mas 70
sumed an extended debate occurred ON the nSeas
ure providing for the protection OF the Presidept