The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-14
BIG SHIPPING TRUST
nrRRY FORECASTS RESULT OF
SUBSIDY.
WOULD SUIT MoRGAN'S PLANS
v.NNA MAKES WARM REPLY TO
THE ARKANSAN.

Mr. Kerry Asserted That Mr.. Morgan
and His Associates Would Be the
chief Benefciaries by This Bill,
and That should They Succeed in
completing Their Great Syndicate
They Could Easily Bring Sufficient
influence to Bear on Congress tn
Cot Their ships to American Reg
lister.
washington, March 1S.-The Senate
.asuued consideration of the ship sub
sidy measure to-day and Mr.. Berry Of
Arkansas, a member of the Commerce
Committee, which reported the bill,
made a vigorous argument in opposi-
+ion to it. He charged that it would
foster trusts and monopolies in the
ehipping industry, and that already ].
Pierpont Morgan and his associates
we're forming syndicate for the con-
troll of the shipping on the Atlantic. In
this connection he became involved in
a colloquy with Mr.. Hanna of Ohio.
who declared that the ships acquired
nv Mr.. Morgan from foreign countries
could not participate in the subsidies
provided by the pending measure.
Mr.. Perkins of California, another
member of the Commerce Committee,
delivered carefully prepared speech
in support of the bill. declaring that it
would add to the prosperity of the en-
tire country.
Mr.. Berry sent to the desk and had
read ansarticle in a New York newspa-
FER, giving details of a purported ar
rangement whereby the Morgan
Steamship Syndicate" expected to gain
control of the White Star. Red Star,
Leyland, Atlantic Transport and other
great steamship lines.
I'VE thus see,' said Mr.. Berry, that
1t is the intention of Mr.. ]. P. Nor
gan and his associates to form a syn
dicate which shall control the entire
shipping interests Of the Atlantic"
Does the senator state of his own
knowledge that Mr.. Morgan has pur-
chased the White Star Line?" inquired
Mr. Hanna.
II have no knowledge of the natter
replied Mr.. Berry, except what have
acquired from the article just read"
You base your statements, then"
asked Mr.. Hanna, upon newspaper
reports?"
Yes l do" responded Mr.. Berry.
But does the senator say it is not
true?"
Il do not know anything about it,"
replied Mr.. Hanna.
Mr.. Berry, continuing, declared that
Mr.. Morgan and Mr.. Griscom, the
latter the president of the American
line, and his associates would be ben
e1ciaries of the pending bill. If Mr..
Morgan and his associates desired to
obtain American register for their for
eign-built ships he had no doubt of
their ability to convince the majority
in Congress that it would be right to
give their vessels American register
he denounced as unjust and unfair
me proposition to levy a tribute upon
the taxpayers for the enrichment of
private individuals and corporations.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Berry's
speech Mr. Hanna replied to some OF
the points made by Mr.. Berry and a
trief colloquy occurred. participated in
by Senators Hanna, Berry, Spooner
and Clay.
Hanna Cries Unfair.
ITO say" declaed MIR. Hanna with
some warmth, that the senators on
this side OF the chamber who are ia
vcring this measure are thereby fos-
tering a power to build up monopoly
or to favor any syndicate, is unfair.
II newspaper report is to be taken
as proof to sustain the statements
that have been made, it is hardly
worthy Of consideration.
Not one ton OF these foreign built
vessels, if purchased by Americans,
could be admitted to American regis
ter or receive any benefit under this
Dill and no one knows that better
than the senator from Arkansas"
Mr.. Hanna went on to say that Mr..
Berry had urged that the enormous
power and influence of Mr.. Morgan, and
his associates would be brought to bear
upon Congress to secure the admission
OF their foreign-built ships to Ameri-
can register" That was gratutous.
If 1t were true this bill would offer lit
tie inducement to these owners, as by
having their vessels brought under
American register, they could partici-
pate in the very profitable coastwise
trade of the United States.'
In conclusion Mr.. Hanna said
The senators on this side Of the
chamber are actuated by just as high
motives as the senator from Arkansas
and they are just as patriotic