Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-22
NORWAY STARTS A
MERCHANT MARINE
With No More People Than Man
haitian, Country Booms
It's Trade.

New York. Sept. 2o.--Ncrway. whose
entire population Is about equal to tina,
| of Manhattan, has begun national
agitation for the establishment of a LARGE
merchant marine, which already has re-
suited In the organization Of steamship
company. which purposes to run large
and fast vessels between Norway and
New York city.
Not only will this undertaking. have
the aid of the Norwegian government.
but 1t is already obtaining a large amount
of capital from the United States. Ac-
cordng to cable dispatches received in
this city, a considerable number of Nor.
wegians, who have grown rich in Mime.
sofa and other States of the Northwest,
are purchasing large blocks Of stock.
The new corporation is the Norwegian-
American Steamship line. Its initial
capitalization is 100000 kroner Its
chief offices are at Chrlstiania It's
directors at their last meeting were MI
thorized to build swift passenger shin.
which will he named trr I.elr Erlson.
and cost 4,750. coo kroner
CARRIED IN FOREIGN BOTTOMS.
At the present time 90 per cent. or
$3.50, 10000 of tho annual foreign
trade Of the United states is carried In
foreign bottoms. In this business.
which means a yearly drain in freights
on the United States OF $500. 900 900
Norway has been relatively small
factor The foreign powers to which
the United States pays the bulk Of this
tribute are ENGLAND md Germany
The vessels now flying the Norwcs-
Ian nag In American waters are sail
ing craft and small steamships in the
fruit or coarse cargo trade
During the last few years. when tho
United States has been merely talking
about the decay Of IT, merchant. mar
Inc. Norway has been quietly interest
Ing It's sons In This country with the
rich possibilities Of a Norwegian mer-
chant marine.
Not only have the Norwegian con-
suls In this country kept in close
touch with the situation. but some OF
them have ever gone so far as to be-
como personally Interested in a mer-
chant marina enterprise Engelhreth
II. Hohe' the Norwegian consul at ST.
Paui, MINI. for example, Is one Of the
directors OF the newly formed Nor
wegian- American Steamship line.
MINNESOTANs OPPOSE SUBSIDY.
Because In Minnesota tho greatest in
terest has been aroused In Norwegian
shipping. 1t IA pertinent to recall that
nearly all Of Minnesota's representatiyes
in Congress have consistently voted
against any legislation to re-establIsh
the American merchant marine. These
representatives at present are Tawney,
Hammond Davis Stevens. Nye, Land
bergh. Volstead. Miller and Steenerson
Congressman Steencrson opposed shin
subsidy legislation so actively that
charges were made against him which
brought about special investigation OF
his relations with the foreign shipping
interests. The committee which conduct
ed this inquiry found there was proof
that Stecnerson's opposition to merchant
marine bills was prompted by anything
else than his own convictions The com
mitteo, however, has not yet completed
its task, II will begin u new probing in
New York city on November TO-
1t Is rumored in local maritime circles
that In view of tho peculiar interest
which Minnesotans have taken In the
Norwegian Steamship company, some OF
the Minnesota congressman may be-
summoned to appear before the commit
tee at its New York sessions and be ask
ed number Of pertinent questions.