New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-02
drastic Fines and AbrOgation of
Mail Contracts Other Remedies
Urged by House Commit
tee in Unanimous Re-
port of Bill.
MONOPOLY OF SEA DEFIED
Arrogance Of Foreign Combina-
tions Controlling Bulk of Amer
ican Trade Condemned in
Humphrey Measure De-
signed to Aid Sher-
man Law.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

Washin ton May 1.-Challenging the
"lupudent and defiant attitude" Of for
eieu steamship combinations. the House
Committec on Merchant Marine and
Fisheries made a unanimous favorable
rarort to-day on the Humphrey bill.
which closes the ports of the United
States 10 all vessels whose owners have
been adjudged guilty by any court OF
vi,ation of the Sherman law. The
Humphrey bill was prepared under the
direction Of the Department Of Justice
and is a definite step toward the curb
ing If the foreign steamship monopoly.
The committee report says
This country will not have one law
for o,ir own people and another for the
foreigner that does business in this
country.
The House committee declares that
the Illegal foreign shipping combina-
,iop. bv pools and agreements. controls
more than 90 per cent of the oversea
trade of the United states. The COM
bination is accused Of rehating, OF throt-
fling all competition with fighting
ships" which temporarily lower rates
to ruin competitors. and Of openly de-
fving the laws Of the United States.
The foreign steamship combinations
carr,,ing orr oversee trade" continues
the report. are the most complete
monopolies i'm the world. Being monopo-
lies. their rates are unjust and oppres-
sive. These combines unjustly levy
millions on American commerce. To 4
great extent they have destroyed our
foreign trade. not only by exorbitant
freight rates but by discrimination
against us in all the ports of the world
in favor Of the products of their own
country"
Provides a $4,000 Fine.
\ fine Of $4,000 is provided against
snv trust owned ship which attempts
70 clear a port of the United States. De-
failing the need for legislation TO enable
the Department Of Justice effectively to
cope with the foreign shipping trust
and to dissolve, under the Sherman law.
the Illegal combinations, the report says:
In order to make it perfectly PLAIN
In case Of an adjudication that an
unlawful combination Of ship owners
exists in violation of the Sherman anti
trust law. a dissolution Of that combina-
ton may be effectually secured by pro-
hibiting all entry and clearance priv
ilege until the combination is dissolved.
This bill makes il unlawful for such yes
sci or vessels to so enter or clear until
the court shall find that the unlawful
combination has been dissolved, and i'm
poses a penalty upon the vessel which
makes entry or clearance in violation of
the provisions of such decree.
1T also authorizes and directs the
Postmaster General to cancel any con-
tract for carrying the ocean mails upon
satisfactory evidence to him that any
vessel performing such service under
contract at the time of performing SER
vice is owned, operated or controlled by
any party to such unlawful combina-
ton"
Challenge to Shipping Trust"
In characterizing as impudent the at
titude Of the shipping trust" the re-
port ends with the following vigorous
challenge to the foreign steamship COM
panies
They admit that they openly violate
our law. Their answer to those charges
is that what they do is legal in their
country; that they do not believe in tho
laws of our country, or have any respect
for them, and they ask this question:
we are foreign ships belonging to for
eien corporations, and owe allegiance to
foreign government, and IL we do not
choose to obey your laws what are you
going to do about it?"
This bill is an answer to this inpudent
and defiant question. We are to-day in
most hun,liating condition. Our ships
have practically disappeared from the
ssa Our commerce is at the mercy Of
foreigners. They dictate the terms upon
which it is carried, and openly violate
our laws. It is not conceivable that this
government stands helpless before this
giant foreion MONOPOLY.