#
465
Board has built the largest fleet of steamers that was ever seen under a single flag, and is sending ite vessels to the Philippines, no doubt those in charge of the merchant marine bill are under the impression that there are enough American ships coming out here to adequately serve the requirements of the shippers.
That there are enough American ships and to spare no one who is at all acquainted with the facts
would dare deny. But that is beside the question. There is hardly any doubt that the shippers out here would prefer to patronize the Shipping Board vessels so long as all things are equal. But let us suppose that the merchant marine of the United States is finally given over to the control of private steamship lines, and those lines should form a combine to raise rate to and from these islands. The business men out here
would be at their mercy.
We believe in competition, and while it is the duty of Americans and Filipinos to give preference to vessels of American registry, it would hardly be fair to expect them to do so if they knew that ships of foreign registry were available to handle their business
at lower rates, Truly, as Senator Nelson said, to
apply the coastwise laws of the United States to the Philippines would mean the placing of the shippers in
a straight jacket.
It might be well to remark in passing that, while the Shipping Board is sending its ships to these
islands by the score, the service is not all that it
should be by any manner of means, The local business
men are constantly complaining, and only during the present week we have learned of instances where well
known,
4X1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.