The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-03-13


subsidies.
While our exports to the United
Kingdom increased but % per cent,
our exports TO countries to which VIE
have no subsidized lines, increased as
follows between 1897 and 1907:
Turkey ................4 1900 per cent
Austrla-HunSary ........ 275
JefIHsHy .............. 100
Italy Observation-Disclosures. 1871
CaHdda III
Chlnese empire ........ 115
BIlllsh East indies. 123
Japan 1876
Egypt 200
These figures" declares the report
of the Democratic members of the
committee On shipping subsidies ,"are
eloquent in support of our contention
that no good can come of a further eX.
tension Of the act of March 3, 1884,
tthe act under which the mail line tc
England is now subsidized by the Unit
ed States).
The minority report does not con-
tent itself with showing Inc futlity OF
shipping subsidies. 1t provides a way
to build up our declining merchant
marine without any cost whatever to
the taxpayers by extending American
AI6ioLlN " DuIIL dUIOdu, anu Nv
providing for a reduction of five per
cent in customs duties on goods car
ried in American bottoms. The Spight
bill provides, however, that foreign
built vessels to which American regis
try is extended, must be owned wholly
by citizens of the United States or cor
porationS whose stockholders are all
citizens of the United States, and shall
not engage in the coastwise trade.
These proYisos are for the benefit of
American ship builders.
Free Ships" says the minority re-
port, "can hurt no business or interest
except the steel trust. 1t will do no
injustice to this greedy corporation,
but simply take from it a part of the
unholy gain which it has been so long
eXacting from its helpless customers.
1t has been abundantly shown that
steel products which enter into the
construction of ships have been de-
Gvered in foreign yards, after paying
land and ocean freights, much cheaper
than was charged our home buyers.
This action will compel the steel
trust to compete with the foreign pro-
ducers, to the great advantage of
American shipbuilders and ship own
erS.
I'VE propose to break the 'strangle
hold of the steel trust by admitting
free of duty all foreign products to be
used in building ships for any purpose,
foreign or domestic. We shall expect
the steel trust and its friends to op-
pose it. The friends of an American
merchant marine and the common
people should align themselves in
support of the proposed change in
existing law
As to Gree Ships"
Realizing the strong argument that
the Democrats would probably make
for free ships, free ship" provision
was inserted in the Taft Hum phrey
bill by the Republican members of the
committee on merchant marine and
fisheries. That this clause was not
drawn in good faith, but with the OBJ
Vious intention of misleading the pub
lie. is evidenced by the fact that the
trainers of the bill themselves do not
anticipate that "a single steamship
will be added to the American mer-
chant marine under the free ship"
clause of the Taft-Humphrey bill. The
Tree ship section of the administra-
ton bill is so hedegd about with re-
strlctlons that little, if any, good would
be accomplished by it. The value that
the majority of the committee that
made the bill place on it may be best
judged by the following language in
their report:
1t IS not believed that there will be
large demand for American registry
of foreign built steamers ! under this
provision. Section 6 in all probability
Will not add one single steam ship to
the feet under the American flag en-
gagged in the trans-oceanic commerce
upon either the Atlantic or Pacific"
On the other hand it is anticipated
that under the Spight bill between 800
and 400 steam ships will be added to
the American register.
Briefly summarized. the object of
both parties is to build up the Amer
lean merchant marine. At cost of
approximately s5.000,00O annually, Ito
start With it is hoped that under the
Taft Humphrey bill between eight and
twelve vessels Will be added to the
American register. This $4,000 600
must be raised in the end by some
form of taxation. as the government
has no other way of raising money.
Under the Spight bill it is anticipated
the American merchant marine will be
increased by several hundred ships,
dlAu NluCuL any COSt 10 the taxpayers.
Central Government Bank.
MIR. President am now onvinced
that the pending measure (postal bank
bilD is the forerunner of a central
government bank | believe that this
measure is a Trojan horse and that a
central bank will be found-within it's
hollow sides, armed for the destruc-
ton of those whom it processes to be-
friend"
United States Senator Gore made
this prophecy on the floor of the SEN
ate. As the blind statesman pro-
ceeded with is remarks he had the
undivided attention OF every person
within the hearing Of his voice. In
effect, Senator Gore charged treachery
on the part of the big business" SEN
atCrs But no one arose to enter the
combat with him. The spectators in
the galleries leaned over the ratings
in anticipation of a man to man de-
hate The scene was one of Iirami3f il