The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
Prominet Men Talk on National
 Aid for Shipping
GREAT LOSS TO AMERICANS
Argument Is Presented By Men In All Walks of Life for Appropriation for Benefit of the Mer-
 chant Vessels.

Cleveland, O., December 2l.-Unted States senators, Congressman. high gov ernment officials 'and representatives of many business interests gathered here today in the interest of ship subsidy, Harvey D. Boulder, president of the Merchant Marine league, under the auspices of which the convention was held, expressed the opinion that the at E tendance and enthusiasm shown by the delegates from the various parts of the country indicated that the general public was taking a greater interest in the sub ject of merchant marine and a subsidy for seagoing craft.
 The convention was in a degree the beginning of q campaign of education, but the greatest of the efforts of the league will be directed upon Congress this winter in the interest of the United States mail subsidy for ocean steamers. This, the supporters of the subsidy be- lleye, will result in a subsidy for general shipping interests and build up an Amer ican fleet of sailing vessels. It is es- timated that the government will have to appropriate $7,OOO,C to place the mer- tlidHl ilielillt III pOSlllOH outttSSIulg tp compete with the merchant marine of other nations. Officers were elected as follows:
 President. Harvey D. Boulder; secre- tary, John A. Pentars; treasurer, J J. Sullivan.
 The days conference was concluded with a banquet this evening. The star attrac- tions at the banquet were Senator J. B. Foraker of Ohio, and Senator J. H. Gal finger of New Hampshire.
 The meeting was not devoid of politi- cal phases and this was marked es- pecially by the interest that clustered about Senator Foraker who was greeted by his political friends here.
 Nixon's Argument.
 Lewis Nixon of New York spoke at length upon the details of shpbuilding, the ast undertakings it entailed the em- ployment it would give and the amount of money that would be distributed among American workmen as a result. He counted in degree. the shipbuild- ing and told what other countries had accomplished in this respect.
 "Shipbuilding was the keystone of the British navy" he said, "and it is the secret of that nations strength and sue cess. We have the material right gem erous and can build boats cheaper and better than any foreign country. What we want is the government to make 1t possible for our shipyards to become ac tive again.
 Do you know that we pay foreign ships $300, ,000 a year-half the value of our crop-for carrying our exports?
 "I bring with me a message from the New York board of trade denouncing the Humiliation to which the people of the United States are subjected in finding themselves unable to get American col Hers to send with our battleship fleet to the Pacific and are compelled to call for foreign aid to help our fleet around the horn.'
 American Loss of Trade.
 Congressman w F.. Humphrey of Seat tie. in his address upon "Why America Is Losing It's Pacific and Oriental Trade,' saidA there were now only eight American merchantmen upon the Pacific ocean, whereas about a year ago there were 15 and that in the near future all will pass from the Pacific unless something is done by the government.
 We have wasted our opportunities" he said, "and have wasted our time in talk ing about trade following the flag. Japan has taught us a valuable lesson. From practically every standpoint Japan's great victory over Russia in the late war was due to ship subsidy. Japan is gain ing the mastery of the Pacific"
 At the close of the address of Con- gressman Humphrey. an impromptu dis cussion was preciptated by Welding Ring and w. B. Cragin. the delegates from the New York produce exchange. Both are vessel owners and complained against the federal provisions prohibit ing the purchase of foreign vessels. They advocated free ships. the same as one is allowed to purchase other commodities in foreign lands, as well as ship subsidy. They wanted the law repealed that they might be able to purchase boats, wher- ever this could be done to advantage. President Boulder said this would not solve the problem of the merchant ma rine. Senator Gallinger said free ships would not help our shipyards except pos sibIv In a few repairs. Lewis Nixon took a hand also in the discussion. and ap-