The Washington times., 1902-05-05
House Committee on Mer-
chant Marine and Fish
cries Will Be Busy.
KNIGHTS OF LABOR TO Be HEARD
Many Opposed to Bill Anxious to Air
Their views-Treud of Congressional
Sentiment Flow Seems to Be in OPP
position to Measure.

The House Committee on Merchant Ma
| rine and Fisheries is continuing hear
| ings on the ship subsidy bill. 1t has
had several upon it, and there are more
to follow. Andrew Furuseth. of the In
ternational Seamens Union of America.
and Charles Campbell. of the Marine In
dustrial League of New York. were heard
last week by the committee. Mr.. Furu
seth opposed the bill; Mr.. Campbell ia
vored it in the main Requests for fu-
ture hearings against the bill have been
filed by the joint committee Of the
American Antitrust League and local
Knights of Labor. Postoffice officials have
accepted an invitation to appear. Other
| interests, both for and against the bill,
are expected to be heard.
Opposition Strong.
The trend of Congressional sentiment is
now in opposition. Recent developments
in the shipping world have done much
moro to arouse the opponents of the bill
than to encourage its friends. The Demo-
Gratis are united against IT. Republican
opposition is widespread. The following
expressions from well-known Republican
members of the House evidence the char
acter and extent of this opposition:
Mr.. Crumnacker of Indiana: The
tendency toward consolidation on the
part of 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 not
consent TO the payment Of large subsidies
to steamship companies that have become
part Of ocean transportation combinations
organized for the purpose of keeping up
ocean freight rates.
Against Subsidy Bill.
Mr.. Davidson of Wisconsin: Il do not
wish to object to the principle of sub
sidy as phase of protection, but great
ly doubt IL the shipping business can be
built IN that way. / do not think that
any bill which has been before Congress
for the upbuilding of the merchant marine
would accomplish the desired purpose.
The pending bill appears TO me to fall far
short Of il.
"All the subsidy bills that have lately
to ships that do not need It, and that are
already doing their work. instead Of to
new lines that might be started thereby.
They give very little to tramps and other
freighting vessels. They base their re-
ward upon tonnage and speed. 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: Il do not
think the bill will be brought up at the
present session, nor do believe it could
pass now. The nane subsidy is unpopu-
lar. and there is evidently much opposi-
tion to the pending bill. No one could
object to the bill IL its proposed object
would be insured by its enactment. II
bills were considered only by their titles
every bill would be good bill; but the
question is whether this sort of legisla-
tion wolld result in the development of
American commerce There Is no doubt
that it would benefit some large inter
ests. II Congress could be convinced that
the results claimed would be brought
about. the bill would be passed. There
are. however. many members who view
such legislation with great deal OF dis
trust"
In Interest of Shipping.
Mr.. Barney Of Wisconsin: Il am op-
posed to the pending subsidy bill because.
as il is framed it is in the interest of
large shipowners and shipbuilders. and
not in the interest of smaller ones. While
/ favor in n general way the promotion
of foreign commerce. I an not in favor
of protecting large corporations by Civ
ing them an advantage over smaller
ones
Mr.. Samuel W. Smith of Michigan: II
opposed the subsidy bill in the last Con-
gress, but have not yet examined the de-
tails of the pending bill"
Mr. Henry C. Smith of Michigan: Il do
not believe we ought to pay subsidy for
carrying wind and that is what the pend
ing bill proposes to do. The subsidy. as
proposed, applies as much to vessels when
empty as when they are carrying full
load"
MIR. Eddy of Minnesota: Il believe in
subsidy because 1t specifically applies to
American soamen the principle of protec-
tion that has been so successfully applied
on land. want a bill, however, so framed
that every ship made in the United States,
and flying the American flag, that carries
a pound Of American freight or single
passenger. will get its fair proportion of
circumstances or corditons that favors
any special class Of ships"
Objections Not Removed.
Mr.. Curtis of Kansas: al was opposed TO
the bin as presented 20 the last Congress.
/ have not had time 10 carefully examine
the bill as II now stands. but understand
that the objections TO the old bill have not
been entirely removed In the new II this
shall appear TO be true when the bill
comes up, | shall oppose II and in so doing
think ! shall represent the sentiment of
Kansas"
Mr.. Hepburn OF Iowa: ~ am willing TO
vote for n subsidy bill under certain con-