Evening journal., 1902-01-22


and leave alone business enterprises
out of which they may expect only
loss. IL cannot be said that there has
been no attempt TO build ships in COM
petition with foreign yards, and to sail
them under American registry. In a
number of instances the American
owners OF lines OF foreign registry have
tried the experiment OF building adj
ditional ships in America, with the re-
suit that either the cost has been 20
great that they have given up the pro
iect. or they have had to pay well for
their patriotism. There is no senti-
ment that can permanently control
this business. and Americans will not
hesitate TO buy ships in Europe and to
sail them under a foreign flag if it is
to their financial interest to do So
Recently an article by Bernard N.
Baker. president OF the Atlantic Trans
port line. one OF the largest concerns
of its kind. published a letter in the
New York Times. in which he throws
considerable light on the question. Mr..
Baker speaks as an expert, and since
his line is already established, the pro-
posed legislation would not benefit his
company 10 any appreciable extent.
He says that when the concern OF
which he is the president was engaged
in establishing its line. bids were asked
from every shipyard in this country,
but that the contracts were given to
English concerns, because they found
the additional cost in America would
be enormous. The company now owns
some of the finest ships anoat, and is
constantly adding new ones. having six
in course of construction at the present
time in English shipyards. During
this time England and Germany have
made immense strides in the carrying
trade and lines carrying an enormous
tonnage have been built up, such az
the White Star Line. the Hamburg
American and the North German Lloyd
Regarding the ships Of his company
now being built in English shipyards,
Mr. Walker says: we can honestly
and truthfully say and believe that if
no subsidy legislation Is had, or no en-
couragcment given by our Government,
wo Will either have to put these ships
in trades limited to American tonnage
or else transfer them TO foreign regis
try. as il would be impossible for us TO
run them under the American flag in
competition with our foreign compan-
les.
This letter shows that there is gem
eral mlsconception on the part of the
people as to work being done
in American shipyards. We are
told that four concerns, representing
20 per cent of the capital invested in
the Industry. are seeking contracts
with tho firm for now ships, but that
these cannot compete with foreign
concerns. We cannot refrain from ad-
ding the concluding paragraphs of MI
Walkers article. as certain ideas are
therein clearly set forth which VIII
be of value in forming opinions on this
question;
"The compensation as provided for
In the bill today is absolutely not more
THAN the additional cost OF insurance,
depreciation. and crews wages, over a
foreign ship. We firmly believe that
within few years after such assist
lanco is given our shipyards and ship
building interests can be placed in a
position to build at an equal cost with
any country in the world, but it is sim
lply impossible to do It today.
During the month OF December,
1901 there were sailing from the ports
OF Boston. New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore. Newport News and Norfolk,
22G steamers to foreign ports. OF this
number. two were American built.
How can any country compete with a
business of this kind. or the difference
of doing things wholesale or retail, for
we certainly are in the retail business
of shipbuilding?
"As an American citizen, 1 am Op-
lposed to the principle of subsidies
lbut after a most careful and thorough
lstudy of this whole question, and Ions
/ experience I'm the business, ! can sec
no other possible way of the United
/, States building up her merchant ma.
rine. particularly whore such merchant
marine comes into competition With
that Of other countries. than by com
nensation 10 the owners for the actua
difference of cost and its consequent
!. disadvantages. through the fact thai
b American labor occupies the far bettei
T, position that II docs today over tha
of other countries. and We all wish Il
keep it So