New-York tribune., 1907-02-27
MAIL SUBSIDY DEBATE.
TINE FOR IT EXTENDED,
4AdUOcateS Of Measure Pleased at
Interest SkO7cR an 1t.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

IFron The Tribune Bureaul
Washington, Feb. 26.-So great the demand
for opportunities TO speak the Littauer Ocean
Subsidy bill in the House to-day that General
Grosvenor of tho Merchant Marine and Fisheries
Committee, in charge Of the BILL and the other Re
publican leaders Of the House were forced to pro.
vide for longer time in which the question may he
discussed The Democrats gave unanimous con
sent 10 an understanding whereby the rule under
which the bill is being considered is amended so as
10 provide for debate the subject tomorrow at
The regular session and tomorrow night from to
j o'clock Some OF the Republicans were in favor
Of seJung aside both Wednesday and Thursday
nights and should the situation demand it, there
VIII be session Thursday night for the benefit OF
the bill No change viii be made in the hour ar
ranged at which 10 take the vote finally on the bill
o'clock Friday afternoon
All The interest in the House centres in the Sub
SIS Dill Unanimous consent has been given
whereby the committees on Private Pensions and
Claims surrender their time evidently for the pur-
pose "t giving as great opportunity as possible
1oi the Lttauer measure. The members in charge
OF the bill are pleased with the interest taken in
j. fhey say they have nothing To Conceal
about it ana that they confident that mora
strength VIII be added TO it as the House and the
country come TO understand it better. In general
oehate to-day they were able to defend the bill at
81 p"4AtS OF attack. although the Democrats
hobbed up from al quarters to ask question thar
20 1hem mad been considered solar plexus blows
EFFECT OF PREVIOUS SUBSIDIES
Representative Grosvenor opened the discussion
with brief statement TO the merits Of the
House substitute for the Senate bill In answer to
a charge made yesterday by Mr. Hinshaw Of Ne
braska. that there had not been q single ship
added 10 the merchant marine since the passage
OF the mail subventon act OF 1891. that the vessls
That get a bonus from this country themselves
carry merchandise TO no greater extent and that
me subsidy had not resulted IN the increase of our
commerce IN the last fifteen years Mr. Grosvanor
proceeded TO show that Nj Hinshaw was who'll
Inisinformed. He made the positive statement that
since the passage of the mail subvention act the
international Mercantile Company had built ten
vessels. some Of them with a speed of twenty
knots
The mail subventton mace # possible" he said
10 operate under the American flag the two former
ihinah liners which were denied mail subsidies
by the British government on the ground of their
American ownership The ships owned by the In
rernatoral Mercantile Marine Company were built
IN anticipation OF the passage OF the Frye Shpp.rg
hill Of 1902 The four 20-knot steamers like other
fast mail ships the North Atlantic routes have
relatively small cargo capacity but they carry
large values, not only of manufactured goods but
ot agricultural products like butter. cheese. meats
and provisions"
Mr.. Littauer, Of New York. followed in a closely
prepared argument in behalf the bill which bears
his name. He said the bill was based on the ex-
perfence Of nations that have been successful in
fostering their merchant marine. He spoke against
the attachment Of the name ship subsidy TO the
was ocean mail bill, pure and simple with in
Cidental provision FOR a naval reserve approved
by the Navy Department and Admiral Dewey.
come in under the bill, this bill provides for
16-knOt ships. and the Hin ships have q speed
capacity Of fourteen knots
MUST MEET JAPANESE SUBSIDIES
The Japanese" he said, ARE substituting their
lines heavily, and It IS absolute necessity that
do what TO keep trade with the
Orient on side of the ledger There is no ex-
pertinent Of any kind connected with this bill. 1t
follows in exact lines the eminently successful
experience Of Great Britain for sixty years,
Of Germany. OF France and Italy, and most en-
phaucally in late years Of Japan.
"Of the seven projects Of this bill four apply TO
the countries south Of US in the American CONT
nent with whom we have vital political and com
mercial interest and three 10 the Orient The Mon
Doctrine impelS in the furtheTanCe OF Its
highest purposes to cultivate relations Of political
and commercial intimacy with the governments OF
Central and South America
II the Pacific Mall. Mr.. Harriman's line. should
sccepr the subsidy, Mr.. Littauer said, II would
mean the building Of at least and probably
wO IG-i1uOt ships, together with regular commu-
IiCati0n between San Francisco and the Philip
edv and he warmly congratulated when he
Mr. Goulden Of New York. in opposition the
blIl said hau labor against the measure. as
was the National Grange. He said that back IN
the 44th Congress there had been charges made
of the use OF large amount or money ior lobby
ing purposes.
'Oh that's last years birds nest" interrupted
Mr.. Kahn. If California
SIr. Goulden. however. stuck TO his contention |
declaring that during the years he has been in |
Congress he had recognized the presence or a |
powerful lobby for ship subsidy.