Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-24
MERCHANT MARINE
Of the United States Will Be
Greatly Aided
By Labors Of Commission Now in
Session at New York
IF Intent and Purposes and Everyonc's
Cooperation Can Do It.

New York, May 23.-The merchant
marine commission authorized by the
5Sth Congress to recommend legisla-
ton for the development of the Ameri-
can merchant marine, began its first
session here, today. Senator Jacob H.
lGallingher of New Hampshire, is chair
man of the commission, and associated
with him are Senators Henry Cabot
Lodge of Massachusetts; Boise Penrose
of Pennsylvania; Thomas S. Martin of
Nirginia; Stephen r. Vallery of Flori-
da: and Representatives McDermott of
New Jersey; Chas. II. Grosvenor of
Ohio; Edward S. Minor of Wisconsin:
Thomas Spisht of Missssippi; and VIM.
f. Humphrey of Washington. Invita-
tons had been sent to the chief ship
owners and builders of this port, to ma
rine engineers and even to the sailors
before the mast to appear before the
| committee.
After Senator Gallingher had called
| the committee to order, Darwin M.
James welcomed the members on the
part of the board. Senator Gallingher
in opening the inquiry:
| Little time need be wasted in q dis
cussion of legislation so far as the mer-
echant marine of our country is con-
| cerned. 1t is a matter of universal
knowledge, almost universal regret,
that our deep SEA shipping is practically
| driven from the ocean-mOrc than 80
per cent. of our foreign commerce be-
| ing carried in foreign ships, flying for
eisn colors. We will be fortunate, in
deed, if the discussion here and else
where sheds such light on the subject
as will enable this committee to recon-
mend to Congress legislation of q rem
edial character
1t is the desire of the commission
| that those of you who participate in
| the discussion will feel at liberty to
present the subject each in his own
way, it being understood in advance
| that the committc is not here for the
purpose Of exploiting any particular
| theory. or advancing the interests of
| any particular measure. With this un-
| Outstanding. the commission is ready
| to proceed with the NATTER
Thomas Clyde Of the Clyde Line, was
| the first speaker. He strongly advOcat-
ed ship subsidies. After deep study Of
| the problem, he was convinced that
this was the best plan TO be pursued.
| He presented Il chart showing the
| standing of the chief maritime nations
| of the world. Tho United States stands
| Il. the bottom. All the nations, he said,
have given aid of some sort to natural
| conditions.
| Mr.. clyde believed that advocates of
| subsidies who have been appearing in
| Washington for several years have
made the case of the United States too
| discouraging. He believed that with as
sistance from the government the mer-
| chant marine would take it's proper
place.
| G. +. Orcutt, president of the New
port News Shipbuilding Co.. told the
commission that ships can be built i'm
| England for 10 to so per cent. less than
| they can ne built here.
The cause of this great difference
WAS that - per cent. more is paid for
labor in the yards Of this country than
in Great Britain and at the same time
| there is 10 per cent. in the cost of ma
| terial in favor of the English builders.
!Ic said that the protective tariff WAS
| responsible for the difference in cost
| Of material.
| Lewis Nixon said builders in this
country had been constructing too good
ships for American use.
Suppose you should take the duty
off all shipbuiIding material do you
think that would be of any benefit"
asked Senator Lodge.
| You would have to take the tariff
off everything, because everything goes
into a ship. If we need free material
and free ships, we should have to have
free labor. too because you recognize
that labor is protected as Well"
Mr.. Nixon was in favor of diffcrential
duties.
Rear Admiral Bowlcs, formerly chief
naval constructor of the navy. and now
president of the Fore River Shipbuild-
ing Co. of Quincy, Mass, said that the
only advantage we have over English
and Scotch builders is in wood, very
little of which is used in cargo car
ricrs. Steel plates here are so per cent.
higher. The wages here exceed these in
| English yards by from 80 to 60 per cent
| Admiral BOwles said there are several
| ways to get Il merchant marine and
suggested absolute free trade as one OF
them.
How about the cost of labor?" asked
Senator GallinSher.
Labor" rejOined Admiral Rowlcs.
its horrid thought-American labor
would have to come down." Senator
Lodge answered for Admiral Bowles.
Thu hearing was adjourned until to-
morrow.
NEW ARMY OFFICERS.