Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-05
Bin Introduced in House
By Rep. Humphrey,
Understood TO Have Approval
Of The Administration.
Would Give the Subsidy to 5000.
ton Ships Of Is Knots Speed.


Humphrey of Washington introduced
ship subsidy by the United States
government, which is understood TO
have the approval of President Taft and
the administration and to be the one
upon which the proponents of subsidy
will concentrate their efforts to pro-
cure its enactment into law.
The Humphrey bill provides an in
crease in pay to American ships for
carrying the mails to South America,
China, Japan, the Philippines, and
Australia bringing it up to "a per mile
for an outward voyage of four thous-
and miles or more. An increase ton
mage tax on the trans-oceanic trade is
provided and it is proposed to admit
foreign built ships to American regis
ter for foreign trade.
The author of the bill in an eXplana-
ton of its provisions said that the pro-
position to increase the pay for car
rying the mails was the most impor-
tant feature of the measure. The
postmaster general is authorized to
the same rate of 81 per mile which is
IiOW pcllu " Sld~o SllpS
Mr. Humphrey points out that oppO-
nents of ship subsidy seem not to be
aware that we already have this sub
SHY for first class ships under law
enacted in 1891, which law, he claims,
lis responsible for every American
vessel on the Atlantic ocean and if re-
pealed would cause the American flag
to disappear from the seas within six
ty days"
The law OF 1891 says Mr.. Humphrey
defines a first class ship as one of over
5000 tons and of over 20 knots speed
which has been such a high require
ment that vessels of that class have
not found it profitable to engage in
South American and Pacific ocean
trade Mr.. Humphrey proposes in his
bill to give the same subsidy to YES
sells of 5000 ton capacity and of 16
knot speed. The bill lays down many
requirements for vessels before they
can secure the subsidy.
The ships must be built according to
plans approved by the secretary of the
navy of iron or steel and with view
to their use in time of war, and be
able to carry four or more cannon of
must at all times be at the demand Of
the government. They must carry
American boys and train them in sea-
manship ard be differed by American
citizens and have crews composed of
fifty per cent. or more of American
sailors. The vessels cannot be sold
without the consent of the secretary Of
the navy. III ALL
Mr.. Humphrey adds:
at might be we'll to add for those
who have been declaring that the pro-
posed legislation was to benefit exist
ing lines, that not a ship now running
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 revenues from the
foreign mail service for that year.
Mr.. Humphreys measure proposes
to bring into the National treasury
about a. million dollars annually
through increased tonnage tax on YES
sells engaged in the trans-oceanic trade
every ollar of which will come from
foreign Ships" he says. American YES
sells subject to this tax may have re-
bated the percent. Of their tonnage
dues by carrying American sailors, or
for each thousand tons of the vessel.