New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-24
CLYDE URGES SUBSIDIES.
Merchant Marine Commission Be
gins It's inquiry.


Congress to inquire why more than nne-tenths Of
the oversee commerce % the Port OF New-York is
carried in foreign ships manned by foreign officers
and seamen. and how fair share Of the ocean
carrying trade can be regained by American ships,
began its sessions yesterday in the rooms of the
Board Of Trade and transportation No 2O3 Broad
way Senator Jacob H. Gallinger, OF New-Hamp-
shire, is chairman Of the commission, and asso-
cated with him Senators Lodge. Penrose. Mar
tin and Mallory and Representatives McDermott.
Grosvenor, Minor. Spight and Humphrey. Invita-
lions testify have been sent to the chief ship
owners and builders Of this port. but allies have
been summoned. Marine engineers and even sailors
before the mast have been called.
Darwin r James yesterday welcomed the COM
mission. speaking for the Board of Trade He said
The truth is that the percentage Of American ton
mage engaged in foreign commerce has oecoime 80
small that il is hardly worth while TO mention II
to COMPREHEND it. There are those who say: What
matter it If we do pay SlCo"nOO or more year 70
other nations for carrying our passengers ana
&c eInnloI,aJ nroftabIv in other wavs?" Possibly
there may have been some force in this argument
time but that time has passed. The time
br gsef anS cs about to If there is not
some reasonable way Of beginning to develop our
merchant marine service.
letter was received from Aaron Vanderbilt,
chairman of a special committee of the Board of
Trade, in part follows:
It is not pleasant thought TO the patriotic citt-
zen that our ocean tonnage is 100000 tons less
than II was almost car 9f a Dr csn Of our
merce. Now they carry less than per cent.
Thomas Clyde OF the Clyde Line. the first
witness called Il have been called a subsidy
grabber" he said but that is because, after deep
study OF this problem. I have been led to believe
that this IS the best plan TO be pursued No phase
of investigation contain many blind alleys as
this" He said he thought the United states must
pay the shipbuilders the difference in cost or
building and also enough 10 enable them 70 operate
the ships on account Of the much higher wages
paid to sailors under the American flag. such
ships should be restricted 10 the foreign trade he
said. "as the Coastwise trade needs no subsidy. l
do not see much hope OF reducing the cost Of
operating ships under the American flag. but as to
reducing the OF building American ships. 1
hopeful that 1t be accomplished"
Mr.. Clyde urged that mail carrying contracts. as
we'll construction bounties. should be paid in
some form. "Of course he said. of you give US
q contract such the English gave TO the new
Cunarders. We can build the ships"
We'll, the government lends the money-prac-
tically builds the ships said Senator Lodge, laugh
ing. The German government, too. IS supposed to
have a secret agreement with the North German
Lloyd"
Mr. Clyde suggested that the commission make
up the schedule for the bounties. the Stumbling
block previously had been that the schedules were
made up by the builders and owners. He also sug-
gested secret and confidential inquiry by the
mission as to what price the builders of the world
would put a standard cargo ship. NO ind-
vidual." he said, can furnish the money to build
enough ships 10 make impression; must go
the bankers. If we can say them that Congress
Will make good the difference between home cost
and that of the Englshman, think we will get
the money
c. B. circuit. president of the Newport News
shipbuilding Company, created surprise by saying
that ships be built in England for rs per cent
less than they be built here.
You surely cannot mean" said Representative
McDermott. that ship costing $4,000 here
be built IN England for s1Oo.OOO?"
4 think my figures right the reply.
Later his estimate from 10 per cent TO 20 or 50
per
Lewis Nixon said Americans had been building
too good ships for their The English tramp is
built in a yard which builds nothing else. We
cannot build the British tramps" he said. because
there is no demand for them here With the de-
mand for such ships I believe viii rise 10 the
Mr. Nixon said ne favored dinerential duties,
which would make demand for American ships,
be induced 10 ship goods in American bottoms. He
opposed subsidies out of fear that they would vio
late Democratic doctrine in granting favored privi
leges.
Rear Admiral Bowles said the only advantage
is in wood OF which little is used in cargo carriers
Steel plates here are 90 per cent higher Til. The
90 10 GO per cent. He added:
on July of last year I made list Of the battle
ships and aTmored cruisers building in this
try and England. To my surprise. found that the
cost was the same here as In England. Why? II
the American builder bid in business way this
would have been impossible. But there has been
cutthroat competition TO get the contracts for
battleships. There is not a batteshp building at
price which the builder can afford. In the English
yards the ships are built at the same price IN
the navy yards.
J. F Craig. Of Toledo. Western shipbuilder. said
that. If Congress gives TO American shpbuilders
they will be building ships for England The hear
ing will be continued this morning.