Evening journal., 1912-08-19
FEAR Bill
WOULD HURT
OUR SHIPPING
Local Concern PrOteStSAgainSt
Foreign Built Boats Having
American Registry
WOULD CRIPPLE THE
AMERICAN SHIP BUILDERS

The Harlan and HoIlingsworth Cor
poration has sent letter to Senator
Henry A. DUPONT at Washington. pro-
testing against the bill recently pass
ed. which provides for the purchase
Of foreign built vessels to be used in
foreign commerce under American
registry. Senator DUPONT had the
letter printed in the Congressional
Record for general circulation. The
letter follows:
Harlan g. Hollingsworth Corporation,
Wilmington, Del, Aug. IA, 1912.
Hon. Henry A. DUPONT,
United States Senate,
Washington. ID. c.
Sir-This corporation. the original
iron shipbuilding yard in America
employers OF upward Of 1000 work
men. views with the greatest alarm
that portion OF the Panama Canal Bill
recently passed by the Senate Of the
United States. which provides for the
purchase of foreign built vessels TO be
used in foreign commerce under
American registry, and most earnest
ly opposes its enactment into a law.
The effect of the passage of this
bill will be the building of all vessels
pf that class in foreign shipyards
where the cost of both labor and ma
terial Is much less than in this coun-
Try.
In a ship complete practically
fvery commodity Is 20 be found and
consequently every trade Is employed
an its construction and equipment
One hundred million dollars is a con-
servative estimate Of those dependent
for their maintenance on the wages
harmed therein.
The industry OF which we form q
part is the only large one that has
not heretofore had the benefit of pro.
tection. and as a result has had Q
very hard and discouraging strug.
gle for existence. Tho preference
given by free tolls TO American bull
and owned vessels would undoubtedly
stimulate the building of an American
merchant marine i'm return for tho
patriotism, zeal and capital that has
been for years expended in our ship
yards, with but pitiful financial re-
turns, and would be a source Of pros
perity to the country at large, thus II
a measure recompensing the people
whose means have been so lavishll
expended in the construction OF thu
Panama Canal.
The enactment into law of the sec
ton of the bill IN question Will pas
over that source Of prosperity TO IN
shipbuilders and workmen OF for
eign countries.
We submit that the free shi
amendment was injected into the ca
nal bill-though not having th
slightest connection with II, being
separate issue and one quite import
ant enough to command national at
tention-iustifying the shipbuilder'
natural inquiry: "Why was Il insert
ed in this measure and passed by tn
Senate IN this reckless manner?"
II was passed improperly and with
out due consideration and withou
consultation of those qualified Il
know the facts, and We most earnest
ly insist that the best interests OF on
and all allied industries will be bes
subserved by the rejection Of the bill
in question. the passage of which vii
sound the death lnell OF our long de
ferred but thoroughly deserve
dreams of prosperity.
We respectfully but most emphatic
ally request that you use your bes
endeavors TO prevent the enactmer
into law OF the above mentioned dis
eliminating free ship section Of tn
Panama Canal Bill.
Very respectfully,
Harlan & Hollingsworth Corporation
Persifor Frazer. Jr. vice president