New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-12

Of the protest The prospects are that
the sundry civil appropriation bill will
be considered before the canal bill, and
that the Democratic tariff bills VIII nave
to be disposed Of. although it is expected
they will be laid aside by vote Of the
Senate to pass them over.
Subsidies Paid Abroad.
Secretary Stimson points out that
Great Britain herself pays to the PENN
sular and Oriental Steamships subsidies
which amount TO practically seven
eighths of the tolls charged by the Suez
Canal, and that other European nations
pay their ships amounts entirely equlVa-
lent to such tolls. notably Germany
France, Japan, Italy and Spain. 1t Is
also pointed out that Spain contemplates
paying the Panama tolls, whatever they
may be. to a line of vessels which 1t de-
sires shall use the canal These sub
sides have never been regarded as IN
any sense a violation of the neutrality
of the Suez Canal, and it is urged that
1t would be strange, indeed if the United
States after constructing the Panama
Canal, could not put her own vessels
on the same footing with regard to its
use as those which Spain purposes to
subsidize.
Secretary StimsOn, while maintaining
the legal right of the United States 10
remit to her own vessels the canal tolls,
makes the point that there is no reason
whatever for so doing that is as Il mat
ter of expediency. He points out that Of
all vessels those engaged in the coast
wise trade need such assistance least
because they are already protected from
all competition and have an absolute
monopoly. and that by no possibility
could the remission be expected 70 re-
vert to the shippers. but would merely
augment the already sufficient profits Of
the coastwise vessel owners.
Mr.. Stimson argues that If such sub
sides are TO be granted to American
vessels they should be paid to vessels
engaged in the foreign trade which are
exposed to the competition of the mer-
chant marine Of the world. including such
part as is literally subsidized by other
nations. whether such subsidies take the
form of direct tonnage payments or Of
liberal compensation for the transporta-
ton of the mails.
OF the Importance of securing tine es-
tablishment of certain steamship lines,
notably two to South America. one to
the east and the other TO the west and
one 10 the Orient, Mr. Stimson is con-
WINGED. But the line to the east coast
would not pass through the canal, and
could not, therefore, benefit by any re-
mission Of the tolls, nor would one to
the Orient. unless it sailed from New
York
For this reason and also for the rea-
son that such remission would hardly
be sufficient to insure the establishment
Of the desired lines, Mr. Stimson is lis
posed TO believe that for purely prac-
teal reasons there is far too little to be
gained by any remission Of the canal
tolls to warrant any misunderstanding
with Great Britain. and he would re-
gard as far preferable could Democratic
sophistry be overcome, a straight out
subsidy to be paid to vessels making
certain regular sailings and given time
TO those ports indicated--direct COM
rnunication which would greatly benefit
the United States.
This view is shared by several SEN
ators but it IS questionable whether It
will be possible either to overcome the
Democratic opposition to any form Of
subsidy which cannot be disguised as
something else or to ALLEVIATE the unfail-
irg friends Of the coastwise shipping
from their determination TO utilize the
opportunity to augment the profits Of
hn 'Iattar-