The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-04
THIS is FRYE'S KEYNOTE
A Bill to Classify Free Rural De-
livery Service.
THE MEASURE is NOW BEFORE THE HOUSE
Sp,sches Are Made by Loud and Swanson The
Conference Report on the Philippines
Tariff Bill is Presented 10
the H1use.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Washington, March 3.-The Senate be-
gan today consideration of what is pop
ularly known as the Shipping Bill. Mr.
Frye (Maine), chairman of the Commit
tee on Commerce, made the opening
statement in support of tn bill. He oc-
cupied the floor for nearly two hours re-
viewing the measure reported by the
committee and dealing with questions
which have arisen in connection with its
consideration.
Mr.. Frye's address was largely techni-
cal. but his argument was listened to
with close attention by Senator'S on both
sides of the Chamber.
1t seemed to him, Mr.. Frye said, that
the policy of protection had been vastly
beneficial to the American people. The
United States, he asserted, had no peer
induStrially Only one industry had been
without protection-and without protec-
tion for fifty years-and with the logical
result. The shipping interests of the
country had been neglected in the Civ
ing of protection. This country had per-
mitted it's interiors to seize upon the
pathways of ocean commerce almost
without struggle.
1T seems to 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 coun
try. It is not alone humiliating-it is ali
solutely dangerous"
Mr.. Frye asked who was going to carry
the $4S7, 100000 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 pay
penalty equal to that paid by either of
the contending parties
Mr.. Frye than sought to show that this
condition of things was caused by Ameri-
can wages, which increased the cost of
our ships for the foreign trade at least
% per cent.
Mr.. Frye declared that of all steamships
in the world of IA knots and upward so
per cent are subsidized by the countries
whose flags they carry. OF 16 knots and
upwards, he said all but six in the world
are heavily subsidized by the country
whose flags they float. ''Are we to sub
nit to this humliating. wretched con-
dition of things?" said Mr. Frye.
The nations paying these subsidies, he
declared, did so for the purpose of ex-
tending their trade and for nothing else.
Trade cannot Drecede the mail,' he
said. THE mail must precede the trade
Mr. Frye contended that there is not
nation on this earth that needs markets
for its surplus products more than the
United States. An American ship. han
died by intelligent active, earnest and
interested American officers, he said, is
better instrument for the distribution of
our products abroad than a German ship
oHicered with Germans, Germany being a
dangerous rival of the United States. Mr..
Frye declared that free ships for which
some Senators were contending would
mean an Increase in cost of % per cent
more than they do now and would close
every shipyard in the United States
against building any ship for foreign
trade. He said that bounties had been
suggested but these were repugnant to
the Constitution, and violation of
thirty-four commercial treaties with diff
ferent nations of the world. Now these
nations are today looking jealously at
u.s." said Mr.. Frye. "and it is said that
they are studying the problem as to how
IHey can StOp us ITOn SSlllHS lnlO IneS6
foreign markets." To- abrogate these
treaties, he said would only serve as an
excuse for retaliation. He said that the
only way to accomplish anything in the
direction indicated by him would be to
pay from the Treasury of the United
States annually sum of money which
shall be equal to the difference between
the operating and carrying on of the
trade in foreign ships, and that carried
in our own. The Republican party had
stood by that idea of protection and en-
couragemnt ever since it had been party
in power and that party, he Insisted.
could not excuse itself from leaving an
industry as important as this entirely un-
protected.
Mr. Frye said that in two years the
enactment of the pending bill would in
crease the expenditure in American ship
yards $40, 900. In addition the mai,
subsidies, amounting now to nearly 3d.
100000 year, would act as an Offset TO
the amount of about 5000, 900 paid in
subsidies to American shipping
At the conclusion of Mr.. Frye's state |
ment, Mr.. Bacon (Georgia) inquired as |
to the condition of business in American |
ship yards. Was it true that they were |
full of orders?
1T is not true replied Mr. Frye
MI. Bacon asked if Mr.. Frye had not |