The independent., 1903-09-17
Nine. o.Tenths Of Our Ex.
ports and imports Car
ried by Foreign Vessels.

PERCENTAGE OF COMMERCE CAR
RIED IN AMERICAN SHIPS
NINETY YEARS AGO.
In 1910 American ships and Ameri-
can sailors carried 91.5 per cent OF
their country's' ocean trade, and, more
over, great share of that of Europe.
DECLINE IN PERCENTAGE IN 1861.
:. In 1861, though we had already lost
our Atlantic steam lines and our ship
building was falling of, We still car
ried 65.2 per cent of our own trade
and some of the trade of other nations.
PRESENT PERCENTAGES.
American ships last year conveyed
only 8.8 per cent of our imports and
exports. Our registered tonnage in
1861 stood at 2,496, 900. 1t stands now
at $4,000. Two-thirds Of -our once
great -and powerful deep-sea feet has
vs nished-and not one new keel for q |
deep-sea ship is being laid on either |
our Atlantic or Pacific coastline.
FOREIGN SHIPS NOW MONOPOL-
IZE OUR CARRYING.
Meanwhile an ever increasing fleet OF
f3yeign vessels throngs our ports and
monopolizes the carrying of more than
nine-tenths of our import and export
commerce.
MORE THAN A HUNDRED MIL
LIONS A YEAR.
| The United States pays to these for
eign vessels for conveying our freights
and passengers upwards Of one hun
died million dollars q year. Much of
this vast sum of money goes to steam
ers which are regularly enrolled on
the merchant cruiser" list of EurOp-
can governments, which are manned
Ly naval reserve officers and sailors,
and are available for service against
us in war.
VAST FOREIGN TONNAGE.
/ The British empire has 14,S00, 900
tons Of merchant shipping: Germany,
2, 10000 tons; France, 1,4S0,000 tons;
Norwal, 1860, 900 tons; Italy 10000
tens. BY far the larger part Of all
these fleets is engaged in ocean car
rying.
SMALL AMERICAN TONNAGE.
But the United States Of America
which produces far more merchandise
and now sends more abroad than any
other nation, has fleet registered fol
deep-sea commerce OF only 3,OOt
tens.
Jour WORKINGMEN AND OUT
FARMERS INTERESTED.
!. American commerce, the labor II
! the mines, the forests, the shops an
= in the shipyards are interested II
this question, and American farmers
|. whose products supply two-thirds Q
+ the value, and much larger portion
I OF the bulk, of our exports. are equal
ly concerned witt all other American
in whatever will contribute to the EN-
! ployment of American ships, their az
\ tive and sustained competition wit
= foreign ships, and the inevitable redut
ton in freight rates sure to follow sue
increased competition.
A STUDY OF FACTS INVITED.
The New York board of trade ar
transportation invites you to give Il
facts herein set forth your earnest col
sideration. 1t is of the highest in
rortance that American shipbuildir
end ship-owning for ocean CONNER
4 rlust be revived. This is not polii
cal question; it is not party que
: ton. 1t is a business question, pu
s. and simple, and a full, frank, goo
tempered discussion of it ought
bring the whole country into harmon
Gus support of some plan which W
= be practicable and effective
EVERY METHOD TO BE CONSI
Erred.
Friends of free ships, subsidies, d
eliminating duties and every Otf
s. pcicy that has been suggested are c'
daily urged to present their vie
and arguments. The system viii
best stands the test of free debate
I the system which is most worthy
adoption.
SOMETHING MUST. BE DONE
QUICKLY.
But on one vital point all must
agreed beforehand, and that is tt
something must be done and de
L quickly, if we are to save the remns
Of our ocean carrying trade and
deem our shipyards.
A DESPERATE CONDITION TO
A REMEDIED.
The deplorable condition of the sh
. owning and shipbuilding industries
in itself conclusive proof that v
C1r,,s rnmedv ia needed