The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-21
Thinks American Shipping
Would Be Benefited
by Subsidy.
CT BENEFIT TO HOME YARDS
Without Assistance Ships of the Merger"
Will Be Purchased OF Built Abroad in
Yards Established by American Cap
ital.

Charles H. Cramp, the Philadelphia
shipbuilder, fcresees in the combination
of steamship interests effected by ]. p.
Morgan and his associates a menace TO
interests of American shipbuiiders. He
said yesterday:
Il know nothing CT their plans, and l
am not sure that this is proper time
for me to discuss the matter. The intro
duction of vast SUMS of American capital
into the Atlantic trade and the acquir-
ing of great steamship lines may proper
ly be a source of congratulation and the
subject of national pride. as indicative Of
the progress of American enterprise and
the extension of our interests through
out the world.
cit is, nevertheless, regrettable in the
extreme that The vessels Of the combina-
ton must in the main, fly the flag of
foreign nations, and that in case of war
between the United States and the pow
ers whose flag they fly, vessels owned so
largely by American citizens can be taken
possession of by the enemy and utilized
against the country of which their own
ers are citizens. Nor does the serious
ness of the situation end there. Most Of
the vessels belonging to the lines SO con-
solidated are not Of the highest class.
II am sufficiently well aware of the
character of Mr.. Morgan and his asso-
ciates in this enterprise to know that they
will be satisfied with nothing but the
best; the trade demands it, especially the
passenger trade, and will be content
with nothing hut the fastest express
steamers, the greatest vessels, and the
most perfect service.
Competition With Germans.
Being compelled to compete with the
great German lines and their magnificent
steamers, the promoters of the merger
are left with but three alternatives: Either
to swallow the German lines, or be swal-
lowed by them, or TO Guild faster, more
magnificent and greater steamers than
theirs. The new American combination
must have the best, either by purchase or
construction. II is far from my thought
to accuse Mr.. Morgan and his associates
of lack of patriotism, but they must bow
to commercial necessities, and these ne
cessities, under present circums tances,
demand that such great liners, except I'M
der unusual conditions, be built abroad.
Not only because the original cost Of con-
struction is higher in this country, due to
the higher wages and the greater cost of
material, but on account of the difference
in operating expenses. 1t is a fact be
yond dispute that ships can be run under
foreign flags nearly, if not quite, so per
cent less than under the American flag.
On our ships the sailors and officers re-
oeiye higher wages, and better food and
treatment. In the lie OF a ship avera ging
twenty years the difference in cost of OPP
peration would amount TO 600 per cent,
which, added to the difference in the cost
Of construction, makes a figure appalling
to those who have not studied the ques-
tion.
Result of the Merger.
what then will be the natural result
of this merger? American capital seek
ing to place its investments on a par with
these from abroad, will proceed to equip
its lines with splendid express steamers
of great cost and magnifcence-snd will
build NEST, If not all, OF them abroad.
They will be built principally in English
shipyards, and these shipyards will be
developed By American capital. Their
capacities will be increased, their prestige
heightened. and they will be enabled to do