The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-01-30
Discriminating Duties Would Help
American Shipping.
SHIP SUBSIDY BILL BE-
CAUSE IT DOES NOT PROVIDE
ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE PUR-
PosE-ExPENsE OF OPERATING
s3Ls PER CENT MORE THAN
FOREIGN SHIPS.
Special 70 The Journal.

special 20 ] he journal.
Washington. Jan. 29.-In view of the
hfdoric attitude OF the democratic
party toward the protective tariff, it
is unusual for a democratic senator to
advocate the imposition of duties for
protective purposes and CONSEQUENTLY
the advocacy by Senator Mallory, OF 3
Florida, of such a course for the aid.
ing of the merchant marine has
caused considerable discussion. Sen
ator Mallory is so thoroughly con-
vinced that the best method Of I'd
building our merchant marine is by
means Of system Of discriminating
duties that he is willing TO impose du-
ties on articles now on the free list.
such as coffee. rubber, etc, that
preference may be given then when
imported American bottoms. He is
confident the American people would
sanction such a proceeding and that
the twenty three or more commercial
treaties between this and other cOun.
tries could be modified or abrogated
for this purpose. There are many
others. however, who agree with Sen
atOr Mallory that discriminating du-
tits afford the hest possible means 0f
assisting our Shipping BUT who think
the process Of changing our CONNER
cial treaties and Temodeling the tariff
for this purpose would be too COM
plicated and too difficult to promise
success, certainly not for many years.
They believe the other nations would
resent such a departure where thev
would have no possible ground for OBJ
iecting to our following the plan
adopted by all maritime nations OF
subsidizing ships
Another feature of Mr.. Mallory's pO-
sitiOn which is certain 10 cause wide
spread comment is his opposition to
the bill because il does not provide
enough money for the purpose. One
of the most effective points against
ship subsidy legislation here, OfOre has
always been the cry that a few inter
ests are trying 10 rob the treasury OF
vast sums II is therefore in the ma
ture Of a surprise that Senator Nal
lory. instead Of inveighing against he
of the present measure
should emphatically contend thai tho
offered are too small 70
overcome the difference between the
cost of operating American ana foreign
ships
IN Joint Commission on Mrchart Ma
rfne and has studied the question
carefully for several years. He Is the
head of the opposition 70 the shipping
bin in the senate and therefore his
views are Of special interest at this
time In discussing this feature of the
subject. Senator Mallory said: Five
dollars a ton. in my judgement. for
twelve months service in running a
ship of any size is entirely too small
an amount TO meet the disparity which
exists between The operating expenses
and the original cost Of vessels in the
United States and vessels under
foreign flags. / do not believe that
ten dollars ton would be sufficient TO
meet that disparity aud put the Amer
lean ship on an eqrsal with the foreign
ship"
To illustrate his point. the Senator
related the experience Of the owner OF
the John Francis" q sailing vessel in
The Gulf Of Mexico which would re-
cpfve under the bill $3.50 a year
while the expenses in operating under
The American fa'2 would be S2.737
great than under foreign flag so the
1wner would still be out s1.O87 per
lnnum II this bill became a law. The
came party. said the Senator was in
crested in a steamer which be sailOd
under the Norwegian flag because re
could net afford 10 sail under the
American flag. although 81 piled from
Tex, 10 Central America.
Built in England. this ship cost 500
100 where IL would have cost $4,000
4 built in America To operate her
InIer the American flag would cost
800 a dav. while she IS operated un-
Ter the Norwegian flag ar $40 dar.
} difference Of s1O,950. Under the
shipping bill this vessel flying our
lag would receive $4,000 a year sub
entiOn which would. according 70
Senator Mallory. still leave her 1880
% the bad
II happen 10 know something about
.bips. cont nued Senator Mallory
Take Is on illustration a steamship
# two thousand tons think 7 am
strictly within reasonable limits when