The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1902-02-13
SHIP SUBSIDY SCHEME.
Certain Proof That the Whole
Thing Is Jobbery.
SENATOR FRYES LITTLE JOKER.

"A 10 Shp Shhpo
Across the Bnr-It Is Impossible to
Honestly Legislnte Money Out of
the Treasury Into Private Pockets.
Senator Frye's revised and amended
ship subsidy scheme stilr fails to con-
vince those best Informed regarding
the interests Of American commerce
that it is intended In good faith to en-
courage American shipbuilding, says
the New York Times.
The committee OF the Merchants as
sociation of this city appointed to con-
slider the matter has called the atten-
ton of the senator to a clause In his
bill under which foreign built ships
bought, us entire lines have been
bought very recently and as it is re-
ported still more extensive lines are
about to be bought. could be admitted
to the subsidy plan supposed to be for
the benefit solely of American built
ships. This clause occurs in section g.
title 2, of the bill as reported. 1t re-
lates TO the general subsidy" as dis
tinguished from the mail subsidy. This
subsidy is cent per gross registered
ton for each 100 nautical miles sailed
on each of not more than sixteen en-
tries per year. Under the section re-
ferred to this would be paid to 1.-The
owner or owners of any vessel Of the
United States duly registered by citi-
zen or citizens of the United States Qn-
Guiding as such citizens any corpora
ton created under the laws OF the
United States or OF any OF the states
thereofl." 1t is urged by the commit
tee of the Merchants ASSOCIATION that
this language would include all foreign
built ships purchased by American cit
izens and corporations as soon as they
were admitted to register. which could
be done by simple act Of congress.
with or without conditions.
The objection is. from the Point Of
view OF the association. a valid and
strong one. The association Is not Op-
posed 10 subsidies that will promote
American shipbuildinS. but 1t is utterly
opposed to giving subsidies ut any time
and on any terms 10 ships built abroad.
1t asks. and very properly: that the
pending bill shall lie changed SO as to |
make this impossible without direct !
legislation Ey congress On the granting |
Of the subsidy. The answer of the ad- |
of the bill Is that under the law |
as it stands foreign built ships cannot !
obtain an American register ard there
fore cannot obtain the subsidy. But 1t ,
ls not denied that they could get the |
subsidy If they were by act Of congress
admitted to American register and that
they could not get 1t at all II the sub
sidy were In terms confined to Ameri-
can built ships. II Mr.. Frye wishes the !,
subsidies to go to American built ships
alone. it is the easiest thing in the !,
world to- say so in the bill. II he wishes !
4 wide opening in his bill by which
subsidies can be made easier for for
eign built ships. he has provided it. II
he refuses to close the opening. he
must be content with the inferences
that will be drawn as to his motives.
he cannot afford to be too naughty In
The matter. because it is too well
known that his bill of last year did di-
,ectly provide fer subsidies. to foreign
built vessels and was so violently and !
Justly opposed that he has been forced
% abandon that part Of his plan:
For ourselves. we are entirely op-
posed to subsidies either for carrying
he mail or for encouraging sh:pbuild-
ng. 1t is practically impossible to leg
slate money cut of the treasury into
he pockets Of private individuals hon.
,stly and fairly. The attempt has al
ways involved jObbery and always
will. and the history Of our politics
contains no blacker or more disgusting
chapters than those recOunting the
rue story Of such jobbery. This very
.lause is case in point. -
A committee of disinterested mer.
.hants points out to congress the exist
.nce Of a possible and probable Job in
his subsidy bili. and apparently It has
is labor for its pains. The whole
business is going on in an atmosphere
which either beclouds the brains Of
legislators who would prefer to be hon!
st or stimulates the greed and craft
II those who have no desire in that
direction. 1t Is miserable state of
hings. and it would be better for the
;ood name of the American people and
II their servants in congress II 1t could
10 done away with entirely.