The San Francisco call., 1904-08-05
Mariners Complain of
Treatment by
Employers.
Invite Inspection of
Quarters on
Vessels.
Continued From Page 1, Column 5.

this Sherman act which is direct blow TO
shipping. resulting TO a large extent IN us
fast decsdence and disappearance from the
see What. therefore. can be done IN Jos,lce &c,
10 all 50 that no interests viii suffer and the
public funds be honestly and Judlclousy eN-
Tended for the rehabilitation OF our merchant
Purchase Of foreign-built shops by American
. CITIZENS tor registration under the american
nag. denying them our coasting pritliessss OF
any right 10 participate IN SUBSIDY OF US
crimirating duties
why deny the American owners Of over some
one hundred million dollars. which they nave
invested IN foreign tonnage and registered
abroad. the opportunity OF placing II uhosr tne
american haE q they vii SonSeRI gs ,ra 70 90 seT So
fha cosstinE privileges and from any right 10
l-ffrfl.ara in n1, subsidy or differentiaI duties
paid O. Anericsn-buIlt ships? You may ask
Nhat bencnt would they derive from thisg
Possession of their own property and protectlon
o. j. i must say that am strohgS opposeS pst
10 an but A1nerican-puiit vessels or such
wrecked -essels comply with the navigation
Jaws -belne per5nattea 70 eilgaee an tns -
wise trade or be permitted 10 partlclpale N IN
any subsidies or discriminating duties that
may hereafter be allowed by Congress.
Foreign Governments which have the largest
fleets Of merchant ships ahoat allow their
subjects 20 purchase vessels abroad, so why
deny citizens the privilege of doing it,
This IS rhe only country in the world, think.
- where this cannot be done. Congress should
permit her American citizens TO purchase II
they choose foreign vessels and place them
under The American flag: compel them 70 be
manned by American citizens subject to our
inspection laws. registered IN American ports
owned by American citizens, but denied ao-
solUtely the privileges Of the coastWise navi-
Just think Of practically 100 per cent diff
ference between the cost OF constructing a
vessel in Great Britain and constructing her
In our American shipyards. How can We
expect 10 get an American merchant marine
together under such conditions The solution
Of such a problem as this is almost un-
fsthoms BILE Probably a reduction OF duty on
Imports Of steel would help the American
shlpbuilders 70 very large eHtent IN In me
reduction OF their asking prices for the build
lng Of ships ana then they would probaply
reduce them considerably more when they
realized that American capital had the op-
porrunity Of purchasing foreign ships for
registry under the American flag. even though
denied the CoasrinE privileges. Then for the
building OF shfps required TO take Of our
casting trade they would probably try 10
Ono q way Of shaving OF all corners and
ask q price within reason and make II an
lnducement Tor American citizens 10 build
am also strongly in favor Of a reduction
q import duties on all cargo imported n
American built vessels It u the idea OF
giving the shipowner an opportunity OF help
ing himself and the Government not paving
something for nothing II gives the American
shin In foreign ports the preference Of freights
10 the extent of the reduction in the duty
and our American manufacturers and producers
ton in duties A reduction in the tariff on
Imports would enable the shipowner 70 assist
the American manufacturer and producer in
the matter q exports by enabling an Arneri-
can ship in competition with foreign ship
10 accept a lower freight outward 70 the eN-
tent Of the sum earned on the reduction Of
The duty on her imports.
I believe foreign vessels employed in trade
Between the United States ports and foreign
ports other than between the United States
and their home ports should be charged an
increased tariff on all. their imports and ad-
ditional port charges These foreign sub
s.dized vessels with low cost Of maintenance,
o are too dangerous competitors TO our American
built ships and We must foster our American
owing 20 the existence Of international
treaties Congress may find itself prohibited
rs0m acting upon the reduction Of tariff
charges on goods imported in American ships.
and while I favor the merchant marine being
fostered by such act. 1 realize that IL
may be difficult at the present time TO carry
u out This leaves the only alternative
a subsidy in some form or other Congress
should make efforts to abrOgate any treaties
that prohibit tie application OF a discrim-
mating duty policy.
In answer 10 Senator Gallinger's
question as to why the people were
seeking the right TO purchase more
ships abroad when many American
vessels are lying idle, Mr.. Rolph said:
4 do not look for this depression in
the carrying business to continue. In
any event, had these ships that are ly-
ing idle cost less money the fact stands
that less capital would be idle. 1t is
my opinion that the immense cost of
constructing vessels here is one of the
principal reasons for the decadence Of
The American merchant marine.