Evening star., 1902-03-11
VEST ON SUBSIDIES
THE MISSOURI SENATOR OPPOSES
THE SHIPPING BILL.
Declares That Logically Other Indus
tries Should Be Aided by the Gov
ernment-Mr. Tillman Speaks.

Mr.. Vest concluded his speech on the ship
subsidy bill in the Senate yesterday after
noon, and was followed by Mr.. Tillman,
who answered q question propounded by
Mr.. Hanna during the course Of the latter's
recent speech.
Mr.. Vests wonderful endurance excited
admiration and general comment. His ex-
tremely feeble physical condition was in
no way reflected in his speech He was
never more ready or more forceful in the
presentation Of his ideas, and had an atten-
on the floor.
Mr.. Vest referred to the operation OF the
Dingley tariff law. speaking especially Of
the lumber schedule.
Mr. Hanna interrupted to inquire how
many democratic senators had voted for
tax Of 81 a thousand feet upon lumber when
the Dingley bill was before the Senate
Mr. Vest replied that he could not tell. He
did not, he knew. The fact that any demo-
cratic senator did vote for 1t indicated only
the force Of tariff combinations.
Mr. Tillman g. c. interjected the remark
that he had voted for the 81 tax on lumber.
although he knew 1t was a steal. and had
so stated at the time. He had voted for it.
however, because he proposed to get out
OF the tariff bill share for his state, and
that was the only way South Carolina could
get anything.
Mr.. Vest criticised the majority Of the
commerce committee for eliminating from
this bill the provision which required a SUBJ
sidized ship to carry at least 80 per cent Of
her cargo capacity upon any voyage upon
which she was to receive subsidy. The ma
jority. he explained, had held that the pro-
vision was Of doubtful constitutionality."
He did not believe the provision was uncon-
stitutional, and he had read q letter from
ex-senator George F. Edmunds taking
the ground that such a provision was not
unconstitutional.
Protection and Subsidy.
Mr.. Vest further along urged that IL the
shipping trusts were to be subsidized,
there was no reason why the farming in
dustry and the mining industry, too, should
not be subsidized.
The senator from Maine (Mr. Fyre), con-
tinued Mr.. Vest, with his usual courage
and frankness. had said that subsidy meant
protection. And he might have said
truthfully,'' said Mr.. Vest. that protec-
tion meant subsidy" The manufacturers Of
this country, he said. were protected by
tariff Of IS per cent against the pauper
labor of Europe, and yet they sent their
products to these very pauper labor coun-
tries and sold them from 20 to so per cent
lower than they sold them to our own peo-
pie.
Cost of Building Ships.
NIL vest maintained IIdI SHIPS cOulu De
built In this country as cheaply as they
could be built anywhere and that the con-
tention Of the majority to the contrary
| was not well founded. The shipyards Of
the United States were never more fully
employed than they now were and had
been for several years.
He made vigorous attack upon the Iav
fgation laws Of the United States, declar-
ing that they were responsible for the de-
nno
bodied, he asserted, a semi-barbaric sNs-
tenn which even China had thrown aside
They had weighed down the merchant ma
rine until it amounted practically to moth
ing. The remedy was to abrogate the nav
igation laws and permit citizens of the
United States to buy their ships where
they could buy them cheapest No subsidy
| would enable them to do that He asserted
that If the democratic party should re-
gain power no ship subsidy would be per-
mitted to remain on the statute books.
Mr.. Vest said If this subsidy is given it
| will be but the beginning of the end and
will result in monopoly equal 10 that Of
the Standard Oil Company. He did not
make any pessimistc prophecy he said
but he was sure that the dream which has
been painted In such gaudy colors never
will be realized.
Mr.. Vest concluded by Saying that he
hoped the time would come when the glory
and power Of the United States would be
greater than that of any other people on
earth. But 1t will not come" he said
from unequal and unjust discrim ma ton
In favor of one interest against all others j."
Tillman Replies to Hanna.
Mr.. Tillman answered a question Pro-
pounded by Mr.. Hanna during the course
Of the latters recent speech, by saying
that he voted for the 81 tax on lumber be-
cause he saw an opportunity TO enhance
the value of southern product. He had,
he said. since then been unanimously re-
elected to the Senate, which stamped him
las very good specimen Of a South Caro-
lima democrat" He then addressed him
self to the subject Of the ship subsidy bill
and declared that foreigners will not sur
render the trade they enjoy without
struggle and WILL If necessary, resort to
the cutting Of rates in order to hold It, He
said that the bill would foster monopoies,
and referred to the proposed Incorporate
of the United States Ship Building Com
pany, which would absorb the large ship
yards Of the country.
Speaking Of the use Of vessels IN case of
emergency by the government. Mr.. Till
man said he would cite as a commentary
on patriotism and love of country .he fact
that the four scout ships-St. Paul. Paris,
New York and st. Louis-used during the
Spanish war. cost the government So. S64,-
$685. and these, he said, had been subsidized
under a pretence that they would serve us
in time Of emergency. He said lie was
surprised to find the republican party
which claims to the peculiarly American
party. stand sponsor for such bill.
At 4:35 the Senate went into executive
session. and at 4:4O pm adjourned.