The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-08-10

ingS nelu Dy the CufnHisSloii. AhS va
tension OF American shipping by th'
establishment of a new mail, military
and other routes. or the establishment
OF system OF differentials TO make II
to the interest of the shippers to i'm
port their cargoes In American bot
toms in indirect shipments, said to bt
an old and popular plan. was also
advocated by some as possible bet
terment for the solution of the prob
lem.
Sailing Vessel Eulosized.
one feature OF the hearing was the
eulogy of the sailing vessel. The COM
mission was given TO understand that
unless the sailing vessels, the wooden
hull. is included in the plan OF pro-
lection, the object of bill to promote
the merchant marine of America will
be defeated, as the sailors and the
slow steamships represent as much to
the Pacific coast carrying trade as do
the massive freighters OF the east to
the commerce OF the Atlantic sea-
board. Another point that was brought
out was the necessity OF having strong
ships and plenty Of them. The wit
nesses expressed a desire to have
American ships voyaging on the high
seas in large fleets. just as railroad
freights journey overland. in proper
tion to the amount OF freight for ship
ment. The loss caused to shippers by
long delays was suggested: when the
American marine is restored to its
former position among the nations OF
the world long waits at seaports will
be unheard of. Captain Thomas w.
Garlick Of the American steamship
fremont, Of which he is master, can be
operated with Asiatic labor for about
one sixth the cost of American labor,
and that the same vessel manned by
Americans would require crew 25
per cent less than the crew required
when she is manned by Asiatics. Cap
tain Garlick said that American OFF,
GERS on board vessel like the Tre-
mont receive 500 and $125 month,
while Asiatic officers would receive be-
tween $40 and $50 for the same SER
vices. Asiatic firemen and seamen re-
ceive $6 gold month; Americans re-
ceive sS5 and $40 respectively. The
cost Of feeding an Asiatic Is only
about So a month, while to feed an
American 1t costs between $1S and $40
a month.
Can't Afford American Crews.
Senator Gallinger inquired Of the
captain what, in his opinion, would re-
suit IL congress enacted law COM
pelling American vessels to ship only
American crews.
"The effect would be to put US out
Of business. The owners could not af-
ford to man their vessels with Amer
lean citizens" was the reply.
Secretary ]. S. Whitehouse of the
Tacoma Chamber OF Commerce. read
paper on the business of Tacoma and
Puget sound in which he said that
Excluding California, all the ns'Pa-
cific traffic for the Pacific, with the
single exception Of the Northern Pa
cific Steamship Line and the Boston
Steamship Company was carried in
foreign vessels.
"As showing the interest Tacoma has
In this subject said Mr.. Whitehouse
Il will state that the Boston Steam
ship Company brings its entire inward
cargo to this port and takes from this
port five e-sixths of its outward cargo
Without any official knowledge Of this
subject, and repeating only current
rumor, we would say that the Boston
Steamship Company lost money in Its
first years business and the foreign
boats made money. Since the first
year, the Boston Steamship Company
has probably come out even, but not
much more"
Would Sell the Transports.
Louis w. Pratt, editor of the Tacoma
Ledger, argued in favor of liberal SUBJ
sides.
Il would favor liberal contracts with
American lines for carving the mails +"