The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-07
HANNA IN DEBATE.
Ohio Senator Makes Speech
on the Shipping Bill.

Washington. March IA speech was
made in the senate yesterday by Mr..
Hanna of Ohio on the pending shipping
bill, which he discussed from the stand
point of an American business man.
His arguments were carefully arrang-
ed, he was forceful and earnest and at
times became eloquent. He comm anded
the undivided attention of the senate
and of the galleries, and when he closed
he received congratulations from many
of his colfeag CUES. Early in the session
Mr.. Frye in charge of the pending
shipping bill, obtained an agreement
that the senate should vote on the
measure and all pending amendments
at 3o'clock Monday, March H.
Before consideration of the shipping
bill was resumed an extended deba tie
occurred on the measure providing for
the protection of the president of the
United States. Mr.. Bacon of Georgia
took the ground that in it's present
shape the bill was an invasion of the
jurisdiction of the states and that it
ought to be amended. Mr.. Patterson of
Colorado, while he agreed to the general
propositions of the bill, urged that it
ought not to pass in its present form.
No action on the bill was taken
Mr.. Patterson opposed some of the
provisions of the measure to protect the
president because they proposed to des-
ignate as crimes things not now con-
sidered as crimes. He suggested that
the enactment and enforcement of these
provisions might work serious hard
ship.
Mr.. Hanna then addressed the senate,
his remarks being principally in answer
to Mr.. Clay's speech. He said that when
Mr.. Clay quoted from Mr.. FryeS re-
marks that all there was in this ques-
ton which required legislation was en-
braced in the one question of labor, he
was correct. Il stand by that PROPOSE
ton, but 1 go further. The ore in the
ground is worth about % cents ton.
After it was touched by the hand of
man it was labor. Ninety-hve per cent
of the cost of a ship built in American
shipyardS or in any shipyard is purely
labor The cost of the construction of a
ship in the United States as against
that in either England Germany or
France, simply measures the difference
of wages and the efficiency Of American
labor
Mr.. Hanna declared that the mer-
chant marine was the only industry in
the United States which had not re-
ceived the fostering care of this govern
ment. win anybody deny said he,
1.-The importance-the absolute necessity
of having an auxiliary for our navy in
the form of a merchant marine shaped
under the direction of the navy depart
ment and, in time of war. absolutely
in the hands and under the control of
the president of the United States, to
use it in the most effective manner
Senator Hanna said that if the United
states tailed 10 prOII Oy the experience
of the older countries of Europe, which
have adopted a policy in reference to
maritime matters, it would make
most serious mistake. Every merchant
ship constructed in foreign countries
was meant to be ship of war in time
of need. Mr.. Hanna cited the feeling
of uneasineSS along the Atlantic coast
at the beginning of hostilities with
Spain and the relief which was exper-
fenced when the four steamers of the
American line were called upon by the
secretary of the navy. under the condi-
lions of the law passed by congress to
perform picket service. He insisted
that it was as important a national
question as an economic policy to carry
with the expenditure for building up
the navy and expenditure for an auxil-
larry navy and merchant.