New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-26
AID TO MERCHANT MARINE
NAVAL OFFICERS HEARD.
They Speak of Its Value as an dur
HidrY Force an War.

Washington Nov 25.-The Merchant Marine Com
mission composed of five representatives OF each
house of Congress, resumed It's session to-day.
Senator Gainger. the chairman. said the commits
sion had thought it proper to invite naval and
Postoice Department officials to be present to-day
the former to submit their opinion of the desira-
bility OF a merchant marine auxiliary TO the
navy. and the latter to speak of the benefits TO
accrue the postal service a result of an
improved merchant marine. The Navy Depart
ment represented by Secretary Morton, Cap
tain Usher Captain Alfred r. Mahan Getired)
Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce retired) and Rear
Admiral p. F. Harrington. commandant of the
Norfolk Navy Yard. Representing the Postoffce
Department w. s. Shallenberger, Second AS
sistant Postmaster General Secretary Metcaf or
the Department of Commerce and Labor also
invited attend the hearing.
Representative Parker, OF New-Jersey, spoke
briefly contending that in order TO get Americans
TO go to sea- better wages must be offered, and
that there should be a graded service. with pro-
motion. He favored following the British naval
reserve act. avoiding its mistakes.
Secretary Morton followed. His view of the rea-
ton of the government to the merchant marine in
the foreign trade that it simply question
of competition He said that in order to build up
a large American shipping interest it will be neces
sary the competition of other nations. 1t
will further be necessary, he declared, in way
recognize the mail contracts, the subsidies, the
bonuses and the premiums of Germany. England
and other countries. The American owner OF sea-
going craft and the American sailor he said must
be made equal in all respects with foreigners if they
not TO be handicapped by foreign competition.
IT his idea that all ships built in this country
should be constructed accordance with plans ap-
proved by the Navy Department. that in OF
the department could make good and efficient
use Of them. He added that he not but
that the seemen also should have naval training.
Rear Admiral Luce read a letter recently sub
mitted by him TO Secretary Morton to be laid be-
fore the commission. in which he referred to the
mutual dependence OF the merchant marine and the
navy. He asserted that the money paid to foreign
countries with which the United States may some
day be at thereby indirectly aiding the navtes
Of those countries and their naval reserves the
expense of the United States He favored subsidies
as the means OF building up the merchant marine.
Declaring that 1t through nursing particular
British industry-the carrying trade-that England
owes her supremacy the to-day Captain
Mahan said that American shipping should be
encouraged to come into existence and compete
with the carrying trade of the world. He uttered
a note OF warning, however. concerning the devel-
opment of force from which the United States
could expect something, but from which, he said.
too much should not be expected. He said that
Inc value OF a merchant marine auxiliary
to the navy in time of would be immense, and
suggested that one way 10 form the nucleus OF q
large trained naval service would be develop
the foreign shipping trade. and after that to re-
serve it for American seamen.
Rear Admiral Harrington favored the building
of steel ships, and that the Of the United
States should be changed to permit the
chants of this country to run American ships
cheaply as foreign owners can run them. Just
as the controlling principle in the composition and
construction Of the American navy is determined
by the constitution of foreign fleets, he said just
so in commercial rivalry this country must abandon
means which have failed and seek new implements
which will meet the measures Of foreign competl-
tors He declared that the merchant officers of the
United States are not ali that be desired in
regard to competence. and that in education and
RAINING they 90 not compare favorably with for
Captain Usher. speaking for the Bureau of Nayi--
IS not disposed to suggest any plan looking to the
encouragement OF the merchant marine through
was disposed to favor naval premiums on ships to
Eugene T. Chamberlain, Commissioner Of Navi-
cation, submitted series OF tables bearing on the
that the exports of the United States largely ex-
discriminating duties would be likely to result dis
astr Gy to the trade of this country through
application Of discriminating duties, he further de-
the favored nation clause in all treaties and II
f5fa 10 the ne indirect voyage 1t would affect
Replying to Senator Gaiiinger. Mr.. Chamberlain
said ne favored the granting of subsidies as a
proposition OF national defence.
He did believe he said that mail service act
alone ,f would benefit more than limited portion
legislative action giving TO this country the selec-
AIoi ~ az ieaSl one me or steamers to each
principal ports of the world. He declared that the
United States was a equality with other
countries in protection of construction operation
or other personnel OF shipping. He said it was an
imperative duty at this time 10 extend the United
states ocean mani service, because, being
otherwise be difficult to keep the mails in American
vessels
The commission then went into executive session.
Senator Gallinger announced that no further wit
nesses would be heard. The commission will meet
Tomorrow and hold sessions week for the
purpose OF formulating a report and a bill. 1t Is
understood that the discriminating duty PROPOSE
ton. which has been ADVOCATED by a number of
people interested in shipping. has been abandoned
by those who are preparing the measure to he
presented. The law under which the commission
operates requires Il report the first day OF the
session but II is probable that only a preliminary
report will be filed and that the full report will
follow later IN the week.