The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-08
SUNDAY. FEBRUARY s, 1903.
PROMOTING OUR MERCHANT MARINE

Perhaps the most practical and just measure yet
presented for the promotion of American merchant
marine is the bill Introduced JAN I6 providing for
10 per cent reduction of import duties all importa-
tons brought into American ports in American bottoms
This is not ship subsidy it is simply removal of
part of the tariff wall in the of goods carried by
American ships. 1t is to encourage COM
by removal of fraction of the hostile tax upon
it, and method of encouraging commerce in such a
manner as to make 1t object to do business in
American ships
The 10 cent reduction in our high Dingey tar
1T duties do harm to American industry and on
the other hand will be positive boon to the vast ma
Jorlty of industries well to the army of consumers
The slight reduction in revenue, if there is reduc-
ton IN the revenue volume at all, will not be missed
1he present annual volume of customs is $780,
100000 Ii the reduction of per cent in should
result IN 10 per cent reduction in volume which is un-
likely by of the fact that reduced tariff rates wilt
increase mportatlons i'll sugar and number of other
leading staples, the of the reduction would be
only $25ooo,ooo. With surplus of 500 ooo-
ooo the reduction of $25,oooooo would be wholesome
AS to the effect upon shipping of 10 per cent lower
tar rates on goods brought into port in American bot
TOMS there cannot be the slightest doubt that every
American ship available will be in sharp demand for par
tcpaon III the foreign trade. This demand for Amer
lean ships will give shipping yards demands that
VIII exhaust their capacity for construction Not only
that but American capital and foreign capital will
be at once invested heavily in purchasing and maintain
ing American shipping lines.
Today in Atlantic foreign trade less than 10 per
cent OF Our imports and exports is carried in American
bottoms vi the steam tonnage which entered Atlantic
ports during the eleven months ending Nov 90 engaged
III the foreign trade, I,32o7oI were foreign and
only Io8,347 were American. Of the steam tonnage
winch cleared from Atlantic ports carrying exports to
the markets of the world, only 1888 tons were Amer
lean and I,II826o were foreign
The reduction of per cent in the duties on I'M,
portaons will affect the export carrying trade as well
as the import business; for ships can do business on1v
Ill case they have cargoes both ways The tariff reduc
ton which gives the incoming cargoes to American
ships 1nsures to them also the outgoing cargoes since
European vessels could not afford to cross the ocean
empty IN order to get cargo back.
Doubtless to some extent American shipping interests
VIII share IN some degree with the shippers and
III the 10 per cent reduction duties Shippers in order
get the 10 per cent tariff reduction will be willing to nav
signify more for transportation by an American than
by foreign vessel But this will be regulated bv th.
competition offered by foreign vessels The foreign
sell IN order not to lose its American business will cu s
carrying charges and thereby keep ocean transoorta
ton rates down to the minimum Indirect1v therefore
the effect will be reduced transportation charges on all
American commerce both imports and exports
The competition offered by foreign vessels will nor
prevent American ships from getting the business az
last as they can develop their capacity for handling it.
1he 10 per cent advantage which the shippers Of the
world VIII secure in sending their goods to American
ports IN American bottoms will inevitably do the bust
ness IN the long and the development of the Amer
lean merchant marine is a suretv