The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-09-24
CRUISE
CONTINUED from Page one).

armor clads and bids will be opened
also for transporting part OF the
great tonnage of fuel necessary TO
enable the vessels TO sail ID 900 miles.
In arranging for these bids, the ad-
ministration apparently took into ac-
count the criticism that would arise
over the unprecedented expenditure
Of public money for the expedition,
and with n view to lessening that
criticism sought to cut down the ex-
pense not only by purchasing coal
in foreign markets, but went 10 the
extreme of throwing open the compe-
tition for carrying the necessary fuel
TO vessels OF foreign regis.er. BY a
broad construction of the law there
appears 10 be some warrant for the
purchase of foreign coal, but in per-
mitting foreign colliers TO compete
with American vessels for the con-
tract OF taking coal from one Amer
lean port to another American port,
or for that matter, of carrying any
coal intended for the use of United
States ships OF war II Is contended
that a wilful violation OF the coast
wise and other laws OF the United
States is about to be committed.
What makes the alleged offense
more flagrant is that according to the
understanding here II will be perpe-
trated In the face of an opinion by
the department of the government hav-
ing charge OF the enforcement of laws
governing merchant vessels. This is
the bureau Of laws OF which Eugene
r. Chamberlain is chief Mr.. Cham
berlain declined 20 make any state
ment whatever when he was asked
IL II was true that his bureau had
given an adverse answer TO question
whether the navy department had the
right TO contract with foreign mer-
chant vessels to carry coal from one
Atlantic port TO another Atlantic
port He refused 10 enter into an
explanation OF the laws concerning,
or TO furnish any information on the
the subject.
GOT ANOTHER OPINION.
II Is understood that when the adj
found the bureau OF nav
igation construed the federal stat
utes to be prohibitory OF use of yes
sells Of foreign register in carrying
coal or other supplies from one AM
erican port TO another, the navy de- |
partment put its own legal machinery |
into operation with the result that |
an opinion was obtained which was
TO mean that the coast !
wise laws would not apply in the mat
Ter OF using foreign bottoms to carry |
,oal for the feet. BY law enacted l
IN 1893, and re-enacted in 1898. IL Ia
that, mo merchandise shall
De transported by water under penalty
II forfeiture thereof from one port Of
he United States to another port OF
he United States, either directly or
ria foreign port or for any part
" the voyage in any other vessel than
! vessel OF the United states"
There is a provision that this sec
ion shall not be construed TO pro-
libit the sailing OF any foreign ves-
el from one 10 another port OF the
United States II no merchandise other
han that imported in such vessel
rom some foreign port, and which
las not been unloaded, shall be car
led from one port In the United
states to another, Under a statute
nacted In 1904 1t Is provided that
4.
o the United states, and no others
hall be employed in transporting coal
nd other supplies for the use OF the
rmy and navy unless the president