The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-04
SHIP SUBSIDY BILL.
Senator Frye Speaks in Favor of the
Subsidy Measure.

WASHINGTON, March 3.-The Senate to-
day began consideration of what is popu-
larly known the shipping bill-a measure
to provide for ocean mail service between
the United States and foreign ports and
the common defense, TO promote commerce
and to encourage deep-sea fisheries Mr..
Frye, Of Maine, chairman of the commit G
on commerce. made the opening statement
i'm support of the bill. He occupied the floor
for nearly two hours. The policy Of pro-
lection which has been applied, he said
TO American Industries with such benefl-
cent results had not been applied TO the
shipping industry. The result of this short
sighted policy had been the decay Of the
merchant marine and the consequent hui
initiation Of Americans engaged in the ship
ping industry Mr.. Fryes address was
largely technical. but his argument was
listened to with close attention by senators
on both sides of the chamber.
The bill was first read for amendment
The committee Observation-Disclosures
amendments of phraseology-were agreed
to. To the section defining such craft as
shall not be allowed compensation under the
bill Paragraph E was changed TO read as
follows: "A barge. canal boat or vessel
proceeding from port to port in tow or a
tugboat or a vessel engaged in wrecking"
Mr.. Frye i'm the course of his speech said
it seemed TO him that the policy of pro-
lection had been vastly beneficial to the
American people Only one industry had
been without protection-and without pro-
lection for fifty yearS-and with the logica |
result. The shipping interests Of the coun-
try had been neglected I'm the giving OF pro-
lection. With a seacoaSt boundless with
enormous deposits of iron and coal with
the most sagacious business men in the
world. with the advantage of every natural
resource upon the side of the United States
this country had permitted its interiors to
seize upon the pathways of ocean commerce
me-" said Mr.. Frye, that that picture
ought TO humiliate and mOrtify beyond
expression any patriotic citizen of the
United States who glories in the power and
prosperity of his country. 1t is not alone
humiliating-it is absolutely dangerous
Mr.. Frye asked who was going To carry
the $4S7.OO0,O00 of exports in the event of a
war between Germany and Great Britain
Why said he the farmers and the
manufacturers and the wage earners Of
the United States would paw the penslty
equal TO that paid by either of the con-
tending parties" Mr.. Frye then sought TO
show that this condition of things was
caused by American wages which i'm.
creased the cost of our ships for the for
eIgn trade at least % per cent. He declared
that of all steamships in the world of four
teen knots and upward NJ per cent are
subsidized by the countries whose flags
they carry. OF sixteen knots and upward.
he said all but six in the world are heavily
subsidized by the countries whose fags
they float. The nations paying these sub-
sides, he declared. did so for the purpose
else. Trade cannot precede the mail, :" said
he THE mail must precede the trade -
Mr. Frye contended that there Is not a
nation on this earth that needs markets