Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-02
MERCHANT MARINE.
How Can We Again Gain Con-
troll of the Seas2
Commission Listens to Views Of New
England Ship Owners
As to What Should Be Done to Fur.
Their Their Interests.

ping was greatly interested, today, in
a hearing in this city, today, relative to
the upbuilding of the American mer-
chant marine, conducted by the mer-
| chant marine commission appointed at
the last session of Congress. There was
a large attendance when the inquiry
was opened at the Chamber of Com
merce building.
The commission has invited sugges-
lions from sailors as to what could be
done for the betterment Of their condi-
ton and a delegation of seamen was
present at the hearing. The committee
began the present inquiry at New York.
| May %, and from there it went to Phil
adelphia ard Baltimore. The hearing
in this city was intended to cover the
entire New England coast and invita-
tons has been extended to ship owners,
ship builders. sailors and others inter-
ested in marine affairs.
! Mr.. Winsor went on to say that English
! lines have been built up to such an extent
| that no tramp steamer has loaded in the
| Orient for ports in the United Kingdom
| for nine years. The regular lines can
! carry as cheaply as the tramp. For
| tramp and sailing vessels, he recommend
cd differential duties and export boun-
| ties. With a subsidy and contract of suf-
| fcient permanence to tempt the capital he
| predicted that the American merchant
| marine would be built up to respectable
| proportions, but without the subsidy the
| remnant in existence would disappear,
| either by withdrawa or transfer to other
flags.
| James J. Storrow of the banking firm
| of Lee Higsnson & Co., stated that uu-
| der the existing laws it was impossible
| to secure capital for Investment in Amer
| lean ships as the shipping industry is a
| losing venture. Daniel S. Emery of JOhr
| s. Emery & Co., incorporated, of Boston,
| owners Of ships sailing to all parts OF
1 the world. advocated the repeal Of every
present law governing the sea and the
| adoption of an entirely new set Of laws.
He suggested the addition of the British
| laws. Gordon Abbott, president of the
| Old Colony Trust Co, stated that he be-
lieved with government there will again
be Il disposition of New England capital
| to engage in shipping adventures.
Colonel Albert Clarke, secretary of the
Home Market Club, read 4 number OF
opinions written by leading authorities all
over the country on the question in re-
Spouse to n circular inquiry. OF the num-
bcr iJ6 favored duties and regulations, l..
| favored subsidies, Sc favored both and &c
were opposed to it. President Eliot OF
Harvard University, stated in his letter
that something should be done to revive
the American commerce and lift it out OF
its present deplorable condition. Vessels
| owned by American merchants, putting
all raw material entering into the making
lpfx hn 1iSta 4 1Jy, ti,,,,
free of duty all raw materials entering
into the American manufactures. Colone.
Clarke added his own opinion that some
thing should be done by Congress to aid
American shipping.
| The hearing took on lively turn
while f. f. Atkins, an importer, was
testifying on account of an exception
which Senator Lodge made to one of
the witness statements. Mr.. Atkins
said that he was convinced that one OF
the most important requirements in the
building up of the American merchant
marine was the removal of the tariff
duty on steel plates, which, he said, is
now extravagant and unjust.
Senator Lodge remarked that experts
had placed the increased cost for plates
at less than 5 per cent. He proceeded
to ask the witness several questions as
to the effect of the cost of steel plates
on the cost of steamships. Mr.. Atkins
answered that he understood that ships
of the same character and type could be
made abroad for 65 per cent. of what
they cost here. Shortly after this q
, recess was taken.
Henry w. Peabody, an importer OF
hemp, declared that the merchant ma
rine should be recreated. He advocat-
ed the establishment of a ship subsidy
and expressed the belief that the Frye
, ship subsidy bill was framed upon good
: lines. Mr.. Peabody recommended re-
, duction of duty on articles brough,
from abroad in American bottoms. and
an increase on the articles imported on
: ships flying foreign flag.
t Can't. Rufus G.. +. Candage, Captain
William Botch and Capt. w. F. Hum
; phrey. all retired master mariners
/. spoke in favor of a ship subsidy.
, Henry Lord of Bangor, Me-, declared
: that the shipping interests of Maine
had disappeared and something must
be done to bring them back. He said
that Maine was divided in sentiment
rs to subsidy or discrimination as a
means Of remedying the trouble.
VIM. H. Frazier, secretary of the In
ternational Seamen's Union. spoke il
= behalf of the seamen. In opening he
said that he was obliged to go to sea
on an English ship in order to learn
the sailors calling. He pointed out
r some of the abuses existing in the
, present maritime laws, among them
too long a period of continuous duty
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