The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-15
LAW WOULD BOOM
MERCHANT MARINE
SHIPS TO CARRY AMERICAN MER-
CHANDISE IN q. S. VESSELS.
Representative Stevens Enumerates
Advantages That Would Follow
Adoption of Bills Favorably Report
ed by Merchant Marine Committee
4 Opposed by Cordage Trust Thru
Fear of Competition in Seattle and
Minneapolis.
From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,

From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,
Washington.
Washington. March 15.-The house
committee on merchant marine and
on the senate BILL providing that here
after all government supplies destined
for the Philippines must be carried In
American ships, and the prevailing
judgment Of house members Is that
the bill will become a law at this ses-
sion Of congress.
The chances are also believed to be
favorable for the passage at this SEES
sion Of the bill providing for the ex-
tension, in 1905, Of the American
coastwise laws to the Philippines. But
If only the former bill becomes law
at this time. there will be given to
American shipping such an impetus as
1t has not had for many years.
The government annually ships to
the Philippines more than 100000 tons
of merchandise, such as coal, hay and
lumber, at a cost Of slightly more than
s1,000.000. These goods go IN for
eign vessels. The Philippines send
annually to the United States about
10000 tons of merchandise. also In
foreign vessels, including $4,000 tons
Of hemp, besides sugar and tobacco.
If this trade were confined to Amer1-
can ships, It would make possible the
establishment Of regular lines OF
steamers between this country and the
Philippines. These lines would be
sure Of cargoes going and coming, and
the basis would thus be formed for
profitable business, which would be
sure to increase.
It's development would extend the
American carrying trade, and even
be immensely profitable to the coun-
try as a. whole. The traffic would
call for g. certain type of vessels and
would mean a reduction below the
present minimum freight rates.
Wherever such trial has been MADE
it has been successful. On this point,
Representative Stevens of Minnesota,
a member of the house committee on
merchant marine and fisheries, says:
I'm Porto Rico freight charges are
now only one-half what they were un-
der the old Spanish rule. Fre1ghts
81 less per ton than they were before
annexation. It is confidently predict
ed by friends Of this bill that the
same thing will occur as to the Phil
1ppines, once the bill Is law and
there has been time for stable condi-
tions to be established under it,
1.-THE United States Is the only ma
ton of Importance in the world which
permits it's government supplies to be
carried under foreign flags. Inc iars-
err percentage Of these supplies have
been going for years by English, Ger
man and Norwegian vessels, and pub
lie spirit at home has apparently been
content to have this condition remain.
GAS an illustration OF what the other
great powers do in the matters Of this
kind, I will cite you to what took place
at New Orleans during the Boer/War.
Mules, hay and other army supplies
were at New Orleans awaiting ship
ment to Cape Town, and the need for
haste being very evident, the British
consul in charge of the goods notified
l,io closed
contract with an American vessel TO
carry them.
"He got word back from the London
foreign office post haste, ordering him
to cancel the contract and wait for the
arrival of British vessel. This
change of program involved a delay
Of more than a month in the delivery
of the goods, but they went under the
British flag.
'This law. if enacted, will furnish the
Hill line Of steamers, which will sail from
Seattle. considerable additional freight
between this country and the Philippines
Those vessels are not adapted for carry
ing naval supplies, which for the most
part consist of coal, for our several coal.
Ing stations in the far east, but they car
carry practically everything else. The Hill
steamers will bring back from the Phil
ippines a great deal Of hemp and sugar
and the hemp shipments will tend to de-
velop the manufacturing Of cordage of al
sorts on the Pacific coast, probably a
Seattle, and ct some convenient point IL
the middle west, probably Minneapolis
where there is g. market for these prod
ucts. The eastern cordage manufacturer
realize that this will be the result Of tn
passage of the bill, and for that reason
they are opposing it with all their might
r. They don't want to abandon the larg
plants which they have constructed il
the eastern states, but they will have t.
do It,, or lose their present onormou
business"
w. W. Jermane.