The San Francisco call., 1904-10-29
OFFERS STRONG
DEMUR TO TAX
Plea Made in Behalf of Ship
ping Burdened at Home,
but Elsewhere Exempted
HEAVY LOAD TO CARRY
Voters Urged to Support an
Amendment That Will
Help Commerce Of the Port

In support of the proposed constitu-
tional amendment to exempt shipping
i'll this State from taxation it was said
by leading advocates of the measure in
this city yesterday that England,
France, Germany, the States of New
York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, IL
linois, Wisconsin and all the large and
prosperous seaboard States Of the
Union by law make such exemption as
is asked for in California. In addition
to exemption from taxation France
gives large bounties to its shipping in
the shape of construction bounties,
Quitting bounties, mileage bounties,
etc. England and Germany pay large
subsidies.
California taxes it's shipping, so it is
set forth in a circular that has been
prepared for the information Of the
voters, who will decide the fate Of the
proposed amendment to the constitu-
ton of the State, and therein it is as
serted that the State does not con-
tribute one cent to aid shipping from
either the State or of the county treas
uries. The circular is about to be
mailed to voters. In part 1t is as fol-
lows:
Besides paying its share OF State and county
ers of San Francisco for the year ending June
80 1904, dues to the amount of
l,OoS PSI SO. Shipping is also to pay
the 81. 0O0, 600 ii is proposed the Commissioners
should borrow 10 make improvements necessary
TO the harbor of San Francisco. In practically
provements is borne by hationaJ and local ta1-
alton Besides this the charges against ship
ping in the port OF San Francisco are notori-
ously excessive; dock charges are the highest
of any port In the world.
The voters of the State of Washington will
vote next month upon an amendment to their
constitution exempting shipping from taxation.
We are advised the amendment will be carried
in Washington; California shipping will then
seek Seattle port of registry with the re-
suit that California will not collect taxes upon
the shipping which is now registered here The
steamers of the Pacific Mail are registered In
New York because New York exempts ship
ping from taxation; the steamers of the Pacific
Mail do not pay taxes in California. The bust
ness and policy of the Pacific Mail are directed
from New York. 1t builds its ships in the
East; the Union Iron Works here in San Fran
cisco can build them cheaply and as well
Shipping registered in Seattle will be controlled
from Seattle with the result that little by lit
tie the business of building ships, outftting
them. etc., will slip away from California.
Many owners of vessels in California have
no other property than their vessels Owners
wish to have repairs done under their super
vision and to purchase their supplies them
loss to the owners of drydocks ship chambers
laborers and others. Ship captains and their
families live in the same ports as the owners.
They also will move away
The Congressional Commission pnesded over
by United States Senator Galinger, which re-
Gently heard testimony in San Francisco for
the purpose OF devising means for the encour-
sgement and betterment Of American shipping.
was strongly In favor as means to those ends
of the passage of this amendment.
Bear this in mind. Since the beginning the
nations owning the shipping have done the
hlrcf nf he Gfatfe efi0 hat n
prosperous shipping community means pros
perity to every occupation. Do you as a citi-
zen voter, farmer a laboring man. want
to your shipping diverted to Seattle and
the trade accruing from a large merchant ma
rine leave your State simply for the want of a
vote from you to upbuild it?