The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-17
The Shipping Commission.
Enactment of Mr.. Gardner's Bill Man
date Of Experience.


The next national Republican plat
form will contain a strong plank in
favor of the upbuilding of the Amer
lean merchant marine. President
Roosevelt has already taken the ini-
tiative in urging the appointment of
a commission TO study these questions
and report at the next session Of Con-
gress and Congressman Gardner of
Massachusetts has introduced bill 10
give effect to the Presidents recon-
mendation.
Senator Frye recently introduced IN
the Senate two bills which will fur
nish a basis for discussion and which
ultimately are likely to bring forth
good fruit. One of these bills makes
explicit the requirement Of existing
law, that after next July !, only
United States ships, steam and sail,
shall be allowed to engage in COM
meree between our Atlantic and Pa
cific seaboards and the Philippines.
This measure has the cordial sup
port of Senator Lodge and has al
ready been favorably reported by the
Senate Committee on the Philippines.
The bill leaves the inter-island traffic
Of the Philippine archipelago just as
it now Is, under regulations of the
Philippine government. Eventually
this coastwise trade will be handled
by American ships as our domestic
ooastwise trade is now handled.
1t is believed that American ship
building viii be promoted in the pas
sage of this bill, as our commerce with
the Philippines is rapidly increasing.
Ii ought not longer to be carried in
ships that fly other flags than our
own. If expansion is to bring forth
normal fruit, we must safeguard our
long-distance carrying trade between
ports of the United States as care
fully as we protect our own Atlantic
coastwise trade. The past year va
have had upward of Sl5,0O0,0O0 OF
commerce with the Philippines, anC
the next year this commerce is likely
to increase at least 50 per cent.
But one serious objection Is made
to the bill of Senator Frye touching
the carriage of our Philippine com
merce. 1t is urged that we have no
ships enough to carry this commerce
Il is up to our American shipbuilder,
to make certain on or before July l.
Another bill introduced by Senator
Frye requires that transportation b!
sea of coal, provisions, or supplies foi
the army and navy shall be done ex
elusively in American vessels. Thi
would seem to be a self-eyident propo
lsition. To be dependent upon foreign
vessels 30 carry our coal and supple
for our army and navy TO Hawaii, thu
Philippines and elsewhere, would pu
us in an awkward predieament wer
international trouble to arise. Tn
! Government ought to protect itsei
against contingencies, and the pro
lposed law would give our ships al
outward cargo from tine Atlantic sea
board to the Philippines, the return
cargo being amply provided at Ma
Mia.
The third measure, introduced b,
Congressman Gardner Of Massaehu
sets, ought TO be promptly enacted
Mr.. Gardner's bill authorizes the ere
alton of national merchant marin
commission, to consist of the Secretar-
Of the Navy, the Postmaster General
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor, th
chairman of the Senate Commerce
Committee, Senator Frye; Chairman
Of the House Committee on Merchar
Marine, General GrosvenoF; thre
Senators and three Representatives