The Washington times., 1903-09-16
Sentiment in Favor of Such
Legislation Said to Have
Become More Pronounced
in Both Parties.
New Measure to Be Drawn
Along Lines of Hanna and
Frye Bills = Arguments
Advanced in Behalf of 1t.

The near approach CT the extra ses-
sion OF Congress has caused about all
of the Senators and the members of the
House. who are coming to Washington.
TO talk over proposed legislation. The
proposed financial bill and the differ
ont treaties pending have been the sub
tect Of much discussion. and now that
II has been practically decided that
there Is 10 be no financial legislation.
the Senators and Representatives have
turned their thoughts 10 other matters.
and one of these is the revival OF an
attempt to pass ship subsidy bill
1t is reported that Senator Hanna.
Senator Platt Of New York. Senator
Quay of Pennsylvania. and half a dozen
Others. including Senator Frye Of Maine.
and nearly all OF tho Representatives
from the seaboard States. have taken
the matter up All OF these legislators
sllege that the shipping is suffering
from competition with European coun-
tries, where wages average nearly
80 per cent lower than they are in the
United States. They also assert that
nearly all of the countries OF Europe
pay subsidies of some kind. while the
United States pays none at all.
Conditions Have Changed.
In answer to the statements made by
the enemies OF subsidies, who have been
asserting that at one time the United
States led the world in ship construc-
tion without subsidies. the Senators and
Representatives assert that this was in
the day OF wooden ships. when the
forests Of the country grew down to the
edge Of the sea. when wood was so cheap
that il practically cost nothing for raw
material. In those days a shipbuilder
simply had to chop down his raw ma
terial and haul it few hundred yards
10 water.
Now, they say. the conditions are diff
ferent. England has her raw material
at her doors. as have Germany and
France. Iron and steel, owing to the
lower wages is produced 80 per cent
cheaper in those countries than in the
United States. Wooden ships are no
longer built. The other arguments
against the subsidies are answered with
truths equally as strong
The friends Of the subsidies also point
10 the condition OF the shipbuilding
yards as an argument in favor Of Gov
eminent help. The recent failure OF
several and the fact that none is maxi
ing any money. is an argument which
cannot be explained away.
More Shipyards Now.
The objection the Democrats and some
of the Republicans had 10 the last bill
was that II gave to him who had. In
other words. il seemed as though tho
millions provided for would 90 to few
rich men who controlled the shipping
interests of the country. Now. condi-
tions have changed.
There are dozens OF shipyards today
where three years ago there were not
more than ten OF Importance in the
country The largest of these were the
Cramp works 10 Philadelphia, Pa. the
Union Works at San Francisco. and the
Morgan Iron Works o. New York. Since
then the New York ShiDbulding Works
~ Camden. \. j., and several more like
them have been built. the supposition
being that some day the Government
would 90 something 10 aid the industry.
49, Ct Vs. NV Inv AAAN NtcsA rum AAN
Virginia ca9cs all the way up to Maine.
and the Representatives and Senator's
from all these States now favor sub
sidy bill. whereas three years ago they
opposed such measure.
Provisions Carefully Guarded
So far has the ship subsidy measure
gone that the provisions OF the bill are
under discussion. II is said that the
proposed measure is to follow the
Fry ard Hanna bills generally, but is
10 be so drawn that no one party Of men
is going 20 be able to control the dis
position OF the funds. In fact. Il IS said
the bill is to be so drawn that should
any party Of men attempt 10 coatrol the
appropriations they are to be excluded
from any OF its benefits.
just what Senator or Representative
is TO Introduce. the bill has not yet been
decided upon. II is thought. however.
that the bill is 10 come from the Senate
and that Mr.. Hanna or Mr.. Lodge is go
ing TO be the man 10 father IL. Should
however. IL be decided later to nave the
bill made a House instead % Senate
measure. one OF the New York or New
England Representatives may be select
ed 10 be sponsor for It.