Evening star., 1923-08-26
How Once Proud Ships of U. S.
Were Forced From Seven Seas

postmaster general Of Great Britain
issued an order adding an additional
"a cents on every letter brought to AN
English port from America in other
than British vessels.
! We had for Postmaster General at
that time spunky southerper. who
was all American. lie was d neigh
/ Dor and political disciple of Old IIick-
. ory. cave johnson was his name. He
Immediately trumped the British card
by Issuing an order that the postage
on all mails from England carried in
any but American bottoms should be
AZ cents per half ounce. and intimatcd
so that he knew 1t would reach the
ears Of the British minister to this
country that II England felt disposed
to play any tricks with the United
! States he would issue an order that
no mail except such as might be
brought in American vessels would be
permitted to land at any American
port. This brought Great Britain to
terms. and the obnoxious order for
Increased postage was withdrawn.
England bided her time. and saw the
American merchant marine rapidly
forging to the front. Her time came
at last, A new American Postmaster
General was in charge of our postal
from the British government was
submitted for the consideration of
the American President and his
cabinet. The support Of this COM
munication was that Great Britain
felt there ought to be a new postal
convention between the two countries.
and an invitation was extended for
US to send a delegate to London to
assist in forming such new conven-
ton. When the new negotiations
ence between the two countries and
subsequent great increase in business
were cited. Great Britain thought
this increase in commerce ought to
be encouraged by the two govern
ments. One way to encourage this
/ business. 1t was suggested. was to cut
postal rates, a reduction to five cents
per half ounce being suggested.
Rate Cut Disastrous.
! When this great reduction in the
! payment for carrying the mails was
announced. for still the only COM
pensation to shipowners was to be
the postage, both American and
British shipowners sent up a howl,
Hush" said the British officials to
the shipowners of that country, "be
still. saw wood. and see what Is to-
come. The government will grant you
| a subsidy that will more than COM
pensate you for the loss in postage.
The subsidy was granted. and Brit
ish shipping hourished.
! America didn't do that, but reyofted
| at the idea Of "subsidizing private
enterprise" American shipowners
soon found they could not SUCCESS
fully compete with the British sub
sidized vessels, and the American
merchant marine started on the road
| to its grave.
The lapse of only a few years saw
the American flag on merchant yes
sells disappear almost wholly from
| the seas. American merchants and
American producers were thus forced
to pay tribute to foreign ships in the
way OF freight rates. The American
cotton planter paid freight to British
ships for carrying raw cotton to
Liverpool and Manchester. and then
paid those same ships freight rates
! to bring back to them the manufac.
tured product of their cottons. Our
| importations all came In foreign bot
toms, and foreign bottoms carried
away our surplus products, the freight
charges going to enrich other coun-
tries. :.
Every once in awhile spasmocltc at.
tempts would be made in this countr,,
to revive interest in our merchant
marine, but no way could be suggest.
ed except to follow the example of
Great Britain and grant subsidies but
at that word the American people
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