East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-03-18
THE CRAFT IN THE SHIP SUBSIDY BILL

During the closing days of the re-
cent session of congress n number of
able speeches were made against the
ship subsidy bill, which was finally
withdrawn. Among the best speech
es against the bill was one by Con-
gresham e. H. Hinshaw of Nebras-
ka. who exposed the graft hidden in
the measure. His speech in part is
as follows:
1t is 5000 miles from New York to
Rio de Janeiro, and 1t is estimated
that 1t would require five steamers,
costing S6,000,000. and that each
would receive $4,000 for each trip.
1t is 6000 miles from New York to
Buenos Ayres, and each vessel would
receive about s33,000 a voyage.
The line from the west coast to
Chile, 5000 miles, would receive a
like amount. In these three cases
the payment would be between So
and SO per mile. From the best in
formation obtainable, It is fairly
clear that the cost of operating and
maintaining these vessels would be
much less than the amount of sub
sidy, so that the United States, under
this bill, is called upon to pay OF
Grating expenses of these vessels
thus leaving a part of the subsidy
and all the moneys received from
freight traffic wholly a profit to the
owners.
These amounts are excessive and ra-
pacious. Even II each vessel should
cost s1.200,000. the United States
would save money by building and
owning the vessels herself. However.
there is nothing in this bill that
obliges the owners to construct or
operate a vessel of any particular
size or cost. To be sure, the speed is
to be ascertained upon trial trip of
four hours, 16 knots per hour. This
of itself. however, does not mean the
building of vessel of more than
5000 tons.
II our commerce is to be substan-
TALLY benefited by this subsidy, there
should be requirement that these
vessels be Of at least 10000 tons. and
perhaps larger. In fact, there Is run
ming between this country and South
America today very large number
Of so-called tramp steamers" which
carry all the freight now offered in
South America, at rates which have
not been considered exorbitant.
Almost all orders for merchandise
are now sent by cable dispatch and
not by mail. II this bill provided for
reasonable and proper payment for
the transportation of the malls. II is
probable that no one would object.
but when the amounts are made 50
dered. II seems to me that there is
no excuse for II.
Graft Of Ship Builders.
In fact. this bill is being promoted
ny the shipbuilders of this country.
Cramp and others of Philadelphia
appeared before the committee urg-
ing this legislation. Mr.. Gary, head
of the steel trust, likewise appeared
In its favor. In the main the labor
organizations Of the country are op-
posed to II. The Patrons OF Husband
ry and the farmers organizations are
strongly opposed to this form of TAX
ing from the treasury money which
might he used In upbuilding the ag-
ricultural and other interests Of the
country.
The subsidies provided in this bill
for the trans-Pacific lines are with
out excuse or palliation. Already
there is line Of steamers owned by
j. ]. Hill which runs between Puget
sound and the orient in connection
with his railroads.&c. Northern Pa
cific and Great Northern. He has
stated that they are paying prop
osition. They receive no subsidy.
Whatever may be said to the con
trarv. 1t is my firm opinion that he
would be the recipient OF the bounty
named In this bill. His vessels are
of IA 1-2 knots speed, and this act
provides for 16-knot vessels. The
bill. however, provides that the speed
shall he deemed complied with IL
satisfactory speed is developed dur
ing trial Of four hours' continuous
steaming at sea in ordinary weather"
This means that a trial speed, with
coal picked by hand, with vessel scrap