New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-23
FOR AID TO SHIPPING.
OUTLINE OF NEW BILL.
No Direct Subsidy-Increa$e of
Tonnage and Lighthouse Dues.
TFFoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU. I


Washington, Nov 22.-An increased tonnage
tax and increased lighthouse dues to be imposed
on all vessels, American and foreign, entering
ports Of the United States, will be the chief rec
concentrations of the Merchant Marine Com
mission, popularity known the shipping COM
mission" A further provision OF the measure.
the passage of which the commission will rec
omnend will arrange for the segregation of the
increased revenue from these sources and its
for the promotion of the American mer-
chant marine.
The commission appointed at the last session
of Congress. after holding hearings in eighteen
leading shipping centres Of the country met
this afternoon at the Capitol, in executive ses-
sion to formulate plans for the conclusion of its
work. Contrar5- TO d somewhat general exoec-
tation the commission Will not recommend the
direct subsidizing of American vessels. Neither
is il likely to suggest the advisability of enact
ing diferentiaI tariff law with benefits to i'm
ports in American bottoms although some of
the members heartily in favor of such Iegfs-
latiOn. Neither is the suggestion Of free ships
seriously considered.
1t IS possible that the commission NAV con-
clude TO suggest the expediency OF Increased
pos al subvention. with view to extending the
shipping trade of the United States but that
point remains to be determined With a view
TO acquiring further information on that sub
ject the commission will hold a hearing on next
l Friday morning. which the Postmaster General
the Secretary of the Navy. the Commissioner OF
Navigation, and other federal officials will at
tend.
The commission has had under consideration
six propositions as follows: tD \ direct sub
sidy 20 American vessels; - additional postal
subvention the government now paying Il lib
cral sum TO vessels carrying United States mails;
81 an increase of the tonnage tax on vessels:
a. increased lighthouse dues: 90 the admission
of foreign built ships to American register free
of duty: 90 differential duties on Indirect trade
that is on the goods of nation shipped in
the vessels of another.
The proposition Of q discriminating duty on
goods imported in foreign vessels a practice
common In the early history of the nation. was
reluctantly dismissed when it was found that
at least ten of the treaties now in existence
would have to be abrOgated before such a law
could be put into effect The proposition 10 i'm
pose a discriminating duty on indirect trade
was then seriously considered, ana is still cham
pioned by members of the commission,
but with little prospect OF having their recon-
.rendations adopted The proposition for free
ships came, of course, from the Democratic
members of the commission and has been re-
jected not In accord vi Republican poll
cieS.
Present Indications are that the Increased
tonnage tax ana lighthouse dues Will form the
important recommendation Of the commission
II is argued that while treaty stipulatious
would compel the imposition of the Increased
charges on American as well as foreign vessels
the burden of the increase would fall on foreign
shipping, and, We're the government TO utilize
the additional revenue from this source TO pro-
mote the American merchant marine. foreign
countrie- could hardly object. Next Fridays
hearing viii be the last. and The cOmui ssiOu Will
then devote itself To the completion OF its re-
port and the preparation of a bin eIubodying st.
recommendations.