The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-13
WEEKS DENOUNCES
SEAMEN'S LAW IN
TRADE DISCUSSION
Views on American L. s. Ma
rine Presented to Academy
Of Political Science.
THREE SESSIONS HELD

The many phases OF the question Of
developing an American merchant ma
rine and the extension Of American for
eign trade were discussed yesterday at
three sessions OF the Academy Of Po-
litical Science by United States Senators.
manufacturers. financiers and educators.
The attitude Of Republican Congress-
men in regard TO the proposed Increase
In the strength u the army and navy
was publicly voiced for the first time
last night by Senator John ". Weeks
OF Massachusetts at the annual dinner
OF the Academy OF Political Science at
the Hotel Aston.
There ough, TO be no craftsmanship
on the subject of preparedness" said
Senator Weeks. "Presiden, Wilson is
holding out the olive branch to us on
that subject and he will fnd us ready
TO do everything necessary to put the
nation in a state OF preparedness"
The other speakers at the dinner were
Senator Fletcher OF Florida and Senator
owen Of Oklahoma. All three OF the
Legislators were agreed that the United
states should have "A large merchant.
marine.
w~rLs's shippinS Views.
Senator Weeks. who is "A graduate.
Of Annapolis. said he had given the
question OF providing the United States
with a merchant marine much thought.
II am strongly opposed to Govern
ment ownership and operation OF a mer-
chant marine" he said.
rim ,s 80 'ote.n.en' sn'pp.nn
continue TO do so" he said amid APP
plause.
"Am.ri,ap mn,a,. u,,ii r., i,,. ,ht.
project OF n merchant marine when II
can make ss big a profit as In Sther
lines. At present IL cannot, for II costs
80 per cent. more in this country to
build ships and To operate them than II
docs IN other nations. II costs $50 "A
month to pay a white man and only SIS
or S." Tor a japanese or No
American company can make Il profit in
these days, ] don't believe in "a subsidy
Tor a In" that Is making a substantial
pr"ht. but We Won't have a merchant
marine unless We encourage capital to
come INTO a new neld.
ihc PROVISION IN the seafnens law
'oat tnree-qustters OF the crew must
UNDERTAKING oruer~ OF IN" COMMANDING
oH'er ana that a large rroporton OF
me crew % ao'e ,e'hen are in,possio'e.
lucy u'e" ,eOeht'! on th' 'a'lhc coast
w III. "or. Ssa.ne" Wv uu. ~ -'vVV
''P',eaH'S onIS io''ssN pu","eu u"uer
,.' !" 10. :.
a., ~ ~ -. o..n.. 81.
,r,, ,nn oo,., ~ n.nar ~
-. ,hL. g.. -"
,'nr.s, III 81, nn. ,o ,r,ran 49, 49,
~. 80.
" "
.....,.,.. -. S..... -
Another provision is that n rcpu-
table citizen may hold up a ship by COM
planning hat the two last named pro-
visions ac not compiled with. and the
ship must walt until an investigation
IL made of the charge. Another equally
absurd proposal Is that We may abro-
gai. commercial treaties in order to
carry out this law.
gentlemen, II IL a piece Of folly TO
carry out the law 10 abrogatc our
necessary commercial treaties"
senator Weeks char acterized the Gov
shipping bill as likely to mean
an infinite financial loss without any
commercial gain. Let us try to help
priyat. enterprises to help themselves"
he said. adding that the Government
should pay subsidies or mail s%ubyentions
TO steamship lines on condition that at
any time when war threatened the YES
sells might be called into the service of
the nation AS auxiliaries, of which the
United states now stands in pressing
""sa. me ships Logan 10 pay proh,s,
in Withdrawing It's ships from Pacific