The Washington times., 1904-11-27
ONLY A SUBSIDY
SUITS SHIPONNERS
Gist Of Replies TO Merchant
Marine Commission.
A QUESTION OF BUSINESS
PTOpnetOrs Say Free Ships and Other
Helps Are Not Enough Induce
ment TO Fly American Flag.
A QUESTION OF BUSINESS

Preparation OF the report OF the Mer-
chant Marine Commission, appointed by
Congress last spring. occupied the a.
tention OF its members al an executive
session held yesterday In the room OF
the Senate Committee on the District OF
Columbia. There were present Senator's
GanInger. chairman; Lodge and Martin.
and Representative Grosvenor Of OHIO,
Minor Of Wisconsin. and Spight OF Mis-
sissippi. a majority OF the commission.
Two open sessions had preceded yester-
days meeting
From what is now known as the re-
suit Of these hearing, the report win
show that nothing but subsidy Hf
some kind will be acceptable TO ship
owners. This viii doubtless prove salts
factory 10 supporters Of a subsidy meas
ure and fully justify. in their eyes. the
creation OF the commission. Hnw il Will
be received by opponents OF the money
bonus idea remains TO be seen. bat il IS
deemed highly probable that borh sides
vii pour I'm upon Congress really argr.-
ments for and against conclusions fav-
oring any kind OF subsidy.
Shipowners Stand Together.
The present investigation OF conditions
is described as "the first time that an
inquiry OF this kind has been generally
made among American shipOWners." =" The
principal conclusion so far reached Dy
the commission Is that without an eX-
ception the American shipowners con-
suited by the commission declared that
the passage Of a simple free-ship law
without some further encoura cement TO
American shipping. would do nothing
whatever 10 increase the American mer-
chant marine.
This Is the view, of course. of the in
terests which would be benefited by a
direct subsidy. and which do not hesi-
Z tate 10 announce their opposition To anv
plan which fails 20 provide them with
such 4 bonus
Views on Free Ships.
Z Further consideration was given 10 the
several eXpedients which have been sug-
gested for the upbunding OF the Ameri-
can merchant marine IN foreign rade,
discriminating duties. mail subventions.
/ increased tonnage taxes. naval supven-
! tions. and free ships. Some attention
/ was also giN IN 20 proposals 10 reserve TO
American shipping the isthmian canal
trade and the service now performed b.
rmy transports
/ on the question OF free ships. the com
mission has made a very thorough, and
searching inquiry as 10 the probable ac-
/ zion of American shipOwners. In reply
10 definite questions whether American
J companies now owning f0reign-built yes
sells would transfer them TO the AmeFi-
can nag under a Tree-ship law replies
Z have been received by the commission
from the International Mercantile Ma
/ riue Company. +. Hogan & Sons. the
7 Donald Steamship Company, W. +.
Grace Co. and a Few other owners.
A Business Proposition.
/ These steamship men are unanimous in
4 the declaration, as r. Hogan & Sons put
! IT, that there would be no incentive
/ from a business point of view TO trans
/ fer foreign-built ships 10 American reg
/ ister-if they would be- confined eXcIu-
! sively To the foreign trade, but COM
I PEELED 10 remain without subsidy. differ
{ entail duty or any other Government
; cucGuraE, mcut-uu account of the great
I er cost of operating vessels under the
American hag than under some foreign
/ flag
/ I'he Iuternati tionul Mercantile Marine
/ Company wrote 10 the Commission: If
, Congress should authorize the issuing
of American register TO foreign builT
{ ships engaged exclusively IN the foreign
/ trade, but proyide Tor no governmental al
assistance 70 such ships We could not
afford 10. lransfeT any Of our foreign
built ships TO American register, as The
Increased cost of operating steamers un-
/ der the American uug, compared with
steamers Of foreign flags In the same
I trade, would bee too great to warrant a
/ change.