The San Francisco call., 1908-03-21
SENATE PASStS
THE SUBSIDY BILL
Measure Makes More Liberal
Allowances for Ships of
Slower Class

WASHINGTON, March 2O.-The ship
subsidy bill was passed by the senate
today. 1t pays to 10 knot vessels ply
ing between this country and South
America, the Philippines. Japan, China
and Australasia 81 per mile, the amount
awarded by the act of 1891 to vessels
of 20 knots only.
The bill was amended in the senate
so that II knot vessels will receive 81
per mile. which is the allowance under
the existing law to 16 knot vessels.
Amendments were also adopted provid-
ing that If two or more lines of steam
ships ply from Atlantic ports to South
America under the provisions of the
bill, one line shall stop at two ports
south of Cape Charles and stipulating
that no more shall be paid for subsi
dies than is received from such service
by the government
During the consideration of the
measure Hale made a spirited plea for
an auxiliary navy, declaring that with
out auxiliaries our navy is dependent
upon foreign countries and that in case
of war we would be helpless.
When the bill was laid before the
senate today, Bacon proposed an
amendment providing that one OF the
subsidized mail liners on the Atlantic
coast should touch at two ports south
of Cape Charles in order to promote the
trade ia cotton goods, lumber and ma
val stores. now supplied by tramp
ships, which do not bring return
cargo.
An amendment was proposed by
Newlands for the creation of a commit
tee consisting of the secretary of the
navy the postmaster general and the
secretary of commerce and labor, to
provide for the construction of q yes
sells at cost of as many million dol
lars, available auxiliary vessels for
the navy and TO be useful to let out on
new lines of transportation on terms
satisfactory to the government. New
lands amendment served 10 elicit a
notable speech from Senator Hale,
chairman of the committee on naval af-
fairs He spoke of the great need
for additional auxiliary ships for the
navy, but said they should be provided
for in the naval appropriation bin.
Hale said there We're with the Ameri-
can feet on its way around the world
only nine colliers of our own. while
there were 2s foreign colliers.
IF there should be war, no govern
ment would allow us to use one of
these Golfers and without them our
magnificent feet would be as useless as
a painted ship on a painted ocean," he
asserted in measured but emphatic
phrase.
Burkett said the condition existed
now as il did in the Spanish war, when
there were many auxiliaries which
could have been secured if the govern
ment had cared to pay the necessary
price.
An amendment offered by Hale was
adopted by which the vessels of the
larger class will hereafter receive pay
for carrying mail similar to that pro-
vided for vessels of the second class
under existing law.
Newlands' amendment authorizing
the construction Of auxiliary vessels
was rejected.
Senator Clay offered an amendment
TO the bill bringing within the police
powers of states and territories all con-
troll over intoxicating liquors after
such liquors have been brought within
the states. Clay made an impassioned
speech in favor of prompt action on
the subject Of prohibition by congress
so that states might exercise their po-
lice powers in order to make effective
their prohibition laws.
Gallinger said he would be glad to
cooperate in favor of the purpose
sought by the Georgia senator, but said
such legislation should not be engrafted
on the shipping bill.
The bill was then passed without di-
vision.