Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-04
DEFENSE OF TRUST FOR SHIP SUBSIDY
Bill introduced Today by Rep
resentative Humphrey.
VESSELS PAY INCREASED
Compensation for Carrying Mails to
Countries Specifed-Classed Is
Administration Measure.

Representative Humphrey of Wash
ington today introduced in the House a
bill providing for ship subsidy by the
ure is understood to have the approval
Of President Taft and the administration
and to be the one upon which the pro-
ponents of subsidy will concentrate their
efforts to procure its enactment into law.
The Humphrey bill provides an in
crease in pay to American ships carry
ing the mails to South America. China,
Japan, the Philippines and Australia.
bringing 1t up to 81 per mile for an out
ward voyage Of 1000 miles or more. An
increased tonnage tax on the trans
oceanic trade is provided and 1t is pro-
posed to admit foregn-built ships to
American register for the foreign trade.
Mr.. Humphrey Explains.
The author of the bill. in an explanation
of its provisions, said the proposition to
increase the pay for carrying the mails
was the most important feature Of the
measure. The Postmaster General is au-
thorized to pay second-class ships for
carrying the mails the same rate of 81
per mile that is now paid to f1rst-class
ships.
Mr.. Humphrey points out that opponents
Of ship subsidy seem not to be aware that
we already have this subsidy for first
class ships under a law enacted in 1891
which law. he claims. us responsible for
every American vessel on the Atlantic
ocean. and il repealed would cause the
American flag to disappear from the seas
within sixty days.
The law of 1891. say Mr.. Humphrey, de-
fines first-class ship as one OF over
tnn ~
which has been such a high requirement
that vessels of that class have not found
II profitable to engage In South American
and Pacific ocean trade. Mr.. Humphrey
proposes in his bill to give the same sub,
sidy to vessels Of 5,OOO-ton capacity and
of sixteen-knot speed. The bill lays down
| many requirements for vessels before
they can secure the subsidy.
Ships to Be Approved.
The ships must be built according TO
plans approved by the Secretary OF the
Navy, of iron or steel, and with a view
to their use in time of war. and be able
to carry four or more cannon Of not less
than six-inch caliber. They must at all
times be at the demand of the govern
ment. They must carry American boys
and train them in seamanship, and be
of1cered by American citizens, and have
crews composed of 10 per cent or more OF
American sailors. The vessels cannot be
sold without the consent OF the Secre-
tary of the Navy.
Mr. Humphrey adds: 'It might be we'll
to add for those who have been declaring
that the proposed legislation was to bene-
fit existing lines that not ship now run
ming can take advantage of the provisions
of this bill. Neither need any OF the
watch dogs of the treasury exercise
their lungs. for there is no danger of
national bankruptcy. 1t is specifically
provided that the amount that can be
expended in any one year shall not ex-
coed the estimated revenue from the for
egn mail service for that year.
Revenue Probable.
Mr. Humphreys measure proposes to
bring into the national Treasury about
million dollars annually through in
creased tonnage tax on vessels engaged
in the transoceanic trade. every dollar
Of which will come from foreign ships"