The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-15
CLAY ANU MALLURY
THEIR REPORT ON SHIP SUBSIDY
BILL COMPLETED.
THE OPPOSITION SUMMED UP.
MANY REPUBLICANS ARE NOW
DOUBTFUL.

Under Senator Hanna's Leadership,
However, the Bill Will Probably
Pass Monday, when 1t VIII Go to
the House, Where 1t Is Predicted
If Will Have a Hard Road to
TraVeI-Messrs. Foraker, McLau-
rim of mississippi, and Harris Made
the Principal Arguments Yester-
day.
Washington, March 14.-As the two
most active members of the minority
senators Clay and Mallory were select
cd bv the opponents of the ship subsidy
bill to frame the report of the minority
of the Committee on Commerce. Sena-
tor Clay and Senator Mallory COM
pleted their labors to-day, and their
work has been highly complimented by
those whose views are representative
of the party. This report sums up in
concise and logical manner the
ground for the opposition to the bill,
and it is based on the arguments so
ably presented by the Georgia and
associates.
Although it is probable that the Re-
publicans, under the lead of Senator
Hanna. will vote solidly for the BILL
Senator Clay Senator Mallory, Sena-
tor McLaurin of Mississippi, and 9TH
er members of the opposition have pro-
voked questions from conservative Re-
publicans like SpOoner Allison and
others of the majority which Indicate
doubt in the minds of several Re-
publicans as to the wisdom of passing
the pending bill. The final vote is 10
be taken in the Senate next Monday.
1t then goes to the House for considera-
ton by that body, and unless a special
rule is invoked, it is predicted that it
will have a hard road to travel.
Throughout the session of the Sem
ate to-day the ship subsidy bill was
under consideration. The measure
WAS discussed by Mr. Foraker of Ohio,
Mr. McLaurin of Mississippi, and Mr..
Harris of Kansas.
Mr.. Foraker supported the bill al
though he admitted that he would
have preferred to build up the Amer
lean merchant marine by the levying
of discriminating duties. He was
willing, however, to defer to the
judgment of the majority that the
pending MEASURE embodied the better
plan.
While MIR. Foraker was discussing
the NAH routes to be established under
The pending BILL MIR. Bacon of Geor-
ga, insisted that the measure should
specify what routes should be estab-
ished, that no such important ques-
ton should be left to the postmas-
ter general.
Mr.. Foraker admitted that he would
a
said that the ship owners ought to
have something to say upon the sub
ject, as lit would not be just to pro-
vide routes that could not be operated
at profit"
Mr. Foraker asserted that the Inter-
national Navigation Company = the
American Line-had made no money by
carrying the mails under the postal
subsidy act, and did not care for re-
neWal of its contract.
Senator McLaurin of Mississippi fol-
lowed Senator Foraker. He was OPP
posed not only to the bill. he said, but
to the principles it representa-. What
ever is given by the government as
subsidy would simply be a contribution
tc the dividends of those engaged in
shipping instead of for the purpose OF
encouraging shipbuilding in this coun-
try He said there had been no de-
cadence III shipbuilding in the United
States, all reports tending to show that
that industry is now experiencing a
boom such as it has not had in fifty
years.
He attacked the proposed United
States Shipbuilding Company and
called it a combination formed for the
purpose of employing labor as eco
nomically as possible.
Let's See Who is Back of 1t.
Referring to his amendment intro
duced recently, requiring the names OF
persons, firms and members of cor
porations that would be benefited by
the bill to be made public, Mr.. Nc
Laurin said that the taxpayers from
whom the subsidy must come, should
have an opportunity to know the indi-
viduals to whom their money is paid.
Speaking of that portion of his amend
ment prohibiting senators and mem
bers from enjoying any of the benefits
of the bill by reason of their interest
in shipping he said that the necessity
of eliminating ones interest when it
conflicts with duty to the United States
is apparent. He cited in. support of his
position the charges brought against
Ambassador Clayton, and said that a
government official must not have mis-
duty on one side and his private inter-
ests on the other.
In conclusion Mr.. McLaurin said he
was as anxious as any Republican
senator to rehabilitate the American
merchant marine, but he would rather
rot see the American flag float over
our American merchant vessels than
to see one stained with the faint of
money which did not legitimately be-
long to it's owners.
senator Harris opposed the measure,
particularly on the ground that it was
not constitutional. Senator Harris
made the point that the United States
was now paying more to the American
Line for the carrying of ocean mails
man was paid to foreign ships for
greater service.