BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-05-22
Opposition b Sl!p.slB!lI

| Opposition 10 dlID.SIBI1y |
Trend of Congressional Sentiment
Views of Several Republican
Representatives.
The Merchant Marine Committee of |
the United States House OF Represen-
tatives are to have several more hear
lings on the Ship-Subsidy Bill Requets
Ito be heard against the bill have been
filled by the joint committee of the
lAmerican Antitrust League and the
local Knights of Labor. Post-ofice Of
Ifcials have accepted an invitation to ap-
pear. Other interests, both for and
against the bill, are expected to be
Iheard. -
The trend of Congressional sentiment |
is believed to be now in opposition.
Recent Developments in the shipping
world have done much more to arouse
the opponents of the bill than to en-
courage its friends. The Democrats
Iare united against it. Republican op-
position is widespread. The following
Expressions from wel1-known Republi-
can members of the House evidence the
character and extent of this opposition
| Mr. Crumpaker of Indiana: "The ten
dency toward consolidation on the part
lof the great international steamship
lines will defeat the object of the pend
ing Ship Subsidy Bill, and ought to de-
, feat the bill itself. The country will
mot consent to the payment of large
subsidies to steamship companies that
have become part of ocean transporta-
ton combinations organized for the
, purpose of keeping up ocean freight
rates !"
Mr. Davidson of Wisconsin: Il do not
, wish to object to the principle of sub
t sidy as a phase of protection, but I
greatly doubt if the shipping business
! can be built up that way. do not
t think that any bill which has been
+ before Congress for the upbui1ding of
!. the merchant marine would accomplish
, 1.-THE desired purpose. The pending bill
e appears to me to fall far short of it. All
d the subsidy bills that have lately been
} before Congress give theirJ benefit to
r ships that do not need it, and that are
b already doing their work, instead of to
n new lines that might be starded thereby.
+. They give very little to tralnps and
h lother freighting vessels. They base
v their reward upon tonnage and speed,
i. so that vessels could sail in ballast and
draw subsidy The recent steamship
merger takes in the vessels that would
get most of the subsidy"
Mr.. Perkins of New York: "Isdo not
think the bill will be brought up at
the present session, nor do believe il
could pass now. The name of Sub
Isidy' is unpopular, and there is eviden
tly much opposition to the pending bill
No one could object to the bill if its
Ia proposed object would be insured by
}, It's enactment. If bills were considered
le only by their titles, every bill would bs
le a good bill; but the question is whether
O. this sort of legislation would result II
y the development of American com
nerce. There is no doubt that it woulC
benefit some large interests If Con
es [gress could be convinced that the re
C suits claimed would be brought about
lie the bill would be passed. There are
a however, many members who view
u SUCH lSSISldI1Ou Will d S1Cdt oCdI "
as IdistruSt"
Of Mr.. Barney of Wisconsin: Il am op
r. posed to the pending subsidy bill be
cause, as it is framed, it is in the inte
rest of large shipowners and shipbuil
in ders and not in the interest OF the
Of smaller ones. While favor in gen
to eral way the promotion of foreign com
Ii merce, l am not in favor of protecting
Z, large corporations by giving them al
le advantage over smaller ones"
r. Samuel w. Smith of Michigan: g.
N am opposed the subsidy bill in the las
d Congress, but have not yet examined
ID the details of the pending bill"
Henry c. Smith of Michigan: q dc
not believe we ought to pay subsidy
r for carrying wind, and that is what the
j. pending bill proposes to do. The sub
N tsidy, as proposed, applies as much tc
o. vessels when empty as when they ars
n carrying. a full load
Of Mr.. Eddy of Minnesota: 81 believe
n in a subsidy because it specifically ap
" plies to American seamen the principle
ID of protection that has been so success
e fully applied on land. / want bill
le however, so framed that every ship
made in the United States and flying
the American flag that carries pound
Il of American freight or single passen
e-lger will get its fair proportion of be
d ine6t. will not support bill under
n lany circumstances or conditions that
y lfavors any special class of ships"
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