The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-27
FEED EN- ON GOLD
That's How to Build Up
A Merchant Marine,
They Say.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Nov. 25.-The Merch-
ant Marine Commission, composed of
five representatives of each house Of
Congress, resumed it's session to-day.
The Navy Department was represented
by Secretary Morton, Captain Usher,
Captain Alfred T. Mahan, (retired)
Rear Admiral Stephen r. Luce (re-
tired), and Rear Admiral p. F. Har-
rington, commandant of the navy yard
at Norfolk. Representing the Post Of
flee Department was w S. Shallenbur-
ger, second assistant postmaster gem
eral.
Representative Parker. of New Jer-
sey. 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
promotion.
Secretary Morton followed. His view
of the relation of the government to
the Merchant Marine in the foreign
trade was that it was simply queS-
ton of competition. 1t will be neces-
sary he declared, in some way. to rec
ognize the mail contracts. the subsi-
dies the bonuses and the premiums OF
Germany. England and other coun-
tries. The American owner of sea-
going craft and the American sailor
he said, must be given equality in all
respects, if they are not TO be handt-
capped by foreign competition
Rear Admiral Luce favored subsi-
dies as a means of building up the
merchant marine.
Captain Mahan said that American
shipping should be encouraged to
come into existence and to compete
with the carrying trade of the world.
He suggested that one way to form the
nucleus of q large, trained naval ser
vice, would be to develop the foreign
oh ,,,, f,,cr ffsrf ID h,t 70
serve it to American Seamen.
Rear Admiral Harrington favored
the building of steel ships, and said
that the laws of the United States
should be changed so as to permit
the merchants of this country to run
American ships as cheaply as foreign
owners can run them. Just as the
controlling principle in the compost
ton and construction of the AmerI-
can navy is determined by the cOnstl-
tuition of foreign fleets, he said, just
so i'm commercial rivalry this coun-
try must abandon means which have
failed and seek new implements which
will meet the measures of foreign
competitors.
Captain Usher. speaking for the bu-
reau of navigation of the navy, said
that the Navy Department was not
disposed to suggest any plan which
| looked to the encouragement of the
M erchant Marine through subsidies
for speed, mileage, or mail carrying
vessels but was disposed to favor
naval premiums upon ships to be built
and which fulfill certain naval require
mentS.
Eugene T. Chamberlain, commits
sioner of navigation said that the i'm
position of discriminating duties would
be liable to result disastrously to the
trade of this country through retalia-
tory action by the countries affected.
Mr.. Chamberlain said he favored
the granting of subsidies as a prop
osition of national defense.
Mr.. Shallenburger did not believe
mail service act alone would benefit
more than a limited portion of the
American shipping. There must be
some legislative action which will give
to this country the selection of at
least one line of steamers to each of
the principal ports of the world.