The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-05
SHIP SUBSIDY IS APPROVED BY TAFT Congressman Humphrey Intro-
 duCes Bill In House MORE PAY 10 CARRY MAILS MT. Humphrey Points Out That Many People Do Not Know That United
 States Already Has
 Ship Subsidy.
MORE PAY TO CARRY MAILS

Washington. January 4-Representative Humphrey of Washington today intro- duced a bill ill the House providing for a ship subsidy by the United States gov ernment, which measure is understood to have the approval of President Taft and the administration and to be one upon which the proponents of a subsidy bill will concentrate their efforts to procure it's enactment into law
 The Humphrey bill provides an increase in pay to American ships for carrying the mails to South America, China, Japan, the Philippine Islands and Australasia, bringing 1t up to $4 per mile for an out ward voyage of 40O0 miles or more. An increased tonnage tax on the transoceanic trade is provided, and it is proposed to admit foreign-built ships to American register for the foreign trade.
 The author of the bill in an explana- tion of it's 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-cass ships for carrying the mails the same rate of s4 per mile that is now paid to first-class ships.
 MT. Humphrey points out that oppo- nents 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. lis respon- sible for every American vessel on the Atlantic ocean, and if repealed would cause the American flag to disappear from the seas within 60 days"
 The law of 1891, says MT. Humphrey, defines first-class ship as one of over 5000 tons and of 20 knots speed, which has been such high requirement that vessels of that class have not found it profitable to engage in South American and Pacific ocean trade. MT. Humphrey proposes in his bill to give the same sub sidy to vessels of 5000 tons capacity and of Is knots 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 can non of not less than six-inch calibrc. They must at all times be at the de- mand of the government. They must carry American boys and train them in seamanshfp and be officered by Ameri- can citizens and have crews composed of 50 per cent or more of American sailors. The vessels cannot be sold without the consent of the Secretary of the Navy.
 MT. Humphrey adds:
 Ut might be well to add for those who have been declaring that the pro posed legislation was to benefit exist ing lines, that not ship now running can take advantage of the provisions of this bill. Neither need any of the 'watchdogs' of the treasury exercise their lungs, for there is no danger of national bankruptcy It is specifically provided that the amount that can De expended in any one year shall not esx- ceed the estimated revenue from the foreign mail service for that year.
 MT. Humphreys measure proposes to bring into the national treasury about a million dollars annually through in creased tonnage tax on vessels en- gagged in trans oceanic trade, "eyery dollar of which will come from foreign ships" he says.
 American vessels subject to this tax may have rebated the per cent of their tonnage dues by carrying American sailors, one for each thousand tons of the vessels.