APPENDIX B.

BILL

OF

RESOLUTIONS OF COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATIONS SPE-
CIFICALLY INDORSING THE SHIPPING
THE MERCHANT MARINE COMMISSION.

NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE.

January 18, 1905.

Whereas the American people are sprung from the greatest seafaring races of the world, and have most notably exemplified both by commerce and in war upon the sea the skill and courage of their ancestry; and

Whereas the great States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois have been largely developed by the railroad systems which were built by the concentrated capital that grew out of the seagoing foreign commerce of the people earned in the first half of the nineteenth century; and

Whereas the far West depends for its communications on transcontinental railways which were called into being by subsidies from the National Treasury; and

Whereas a Congressional Commission has, at large expense and with great patience and personal attention, spent months of time and thousands of miles of travel in examination of the causes of the disgraceful decay of American commerce, and as a product of their labor have proposed a remedy for this decay in Senate bill No. 6291, by which a threefold purpose may be obtained, which purpose is expressed, firstly, in the creation of a naval militia reserve; secondly, in the creation of a labor equalization allowance, by which American labor on the ocean may compete without degradation with the seamen of Europe and Asia; thirdly, in the authority to the Post-Office Department to spend such sums as will be sufficient to provide direct postal service with the ports of South Africa, South America, and Asia without attempting competition with the extravagant sums paid by foreign governments for the service between British and north seaports and those on our Atlantic seaboard: Therefore,

Resolved, That the National Board of Trade heartily commends the work of the Congressional Marine Commission, and urges upon Congress the enactment at the earliest possible date of Senate bill No. 6291.

NEWPORT NEWS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
January 9, 1905.

Whereas the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Newport News have learned through the public press of the report of the Congressional Commission on the American merchant marine, and has observed with keenest interest the bill recommended for the advancement of the maritime interests of our country; and

Whereas this chamber is aware of the attachment which the Hon. Thomas S. Martin, United States Senator from this State, has displayed for our ancient system of discriminating duties, and this chamber has shared his view in that respect, but this chamber nevertheless notes with entire approval the fact that Senator Martin's name was not appended to the minority report; and

Whereas it is the conviction of this body that the previous national policy of inaction has so sapped the marine resources of this country as to abundantly demonstrate the necessity for retaliatory measures; and

S. Rep. 1, 59-1—3

33

Whereas this chamber perceives that the principle of the proposed subvention is essentially the same as that of discriminating duties; that each form involves national aid from a fund provided by law; that in either case the people are taxed to bestow the benefit; that the difference between the two systems is merely a difference in measures and not of the thing measured-a difference in the name of the fund derived, but not a difference in the fund, a difference in convenience, not in essence: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the chamber of commerce of this city believes that the proposed encouragement to the maritime interests of this country is a measure which will not only advance the commercial interests of this country, but, by reason of intimate relations between sea commerce and national security, will contribute largely to naval effectiveness; that this chamber of commerce believes that these considerations place the proposition upon a plane of patriotism rather than of politics; that, enteraining these views this chamber respectfully urges our Senators and Representatives in Congress to secure the passage of the said measure.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MASTERS AND PILOTS OF STEAM

VESSELS.

January, 1905.

Whereas American ships now convey only 10 per cent of the imports and exports of the United States, while 90 per cent are conveyed in foreign ships, thus building up at the expense of the American people the naval reserve of foreign nations; and

Whereas this condition of affairs deprives American officers and seamen of employment in ocean trade, and thus prevents the development of an adequate naval reserve in our own country: Therefore,

Resolved, That the American Association of Masters and Pilots of Steam Vessels, realizing the need of American deep-sea shipping and the value of a strong merchant fleet to the nation in peace or war, heartily commends the work of the Merchant Marine Commission, authorized by Congress on the recommendation of the President, and urges the prompt enactment of Senate bill 6291, reported by the Commission, "to promote the national defense, to create a force of naval volunteers, to establish American ocean mail lines to foreign markets, to promote commerce, and to provide revenue from tonnage."

PHILADELPHIA BOARD OF TRADE.

February 2, 1905.

To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives

of the United States in Congress assembled:

This memorial of the Philadelphia Board of Trade respectfully represents: That this board for many years, dating back to the time when American shipping in the foreign trade commenced showing a marked and rapid decline in tonnage, has persistently and earnestly petitioned your honorable bodies to enact such legislation as might tend to again place upon the seas the flag of our country on vessels of American build, and have it borne to the ports of the world.

That the board earnestly favored the appointment by Congress of the Merchant Marine Commission, and believes that this advocacy was wise and timely, as shown by the intelligent and exhaustive report of the majority of the said Commission submitted to Congress.

That the recommendations as presented by the majority report mentioned above it is believed, if promptly adopted, will aid materially in rehabilitating our merchant marine: Therefore,

Your memorialist, the Philadelphia Board of Trade, earnestly petitions your honorable bodies to promptly enact at this session of Congress the bill presented for its consideration by direction of the Merchant Marine Commission (Senate bill No. 6291), "to promote the national defense, to create a force of naval volunteers, to establish American ocean mail lines to foreign markets, to promote commerce, and to provide revenue from tonnage."

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SAN FRANCISCO.
February 3, 1905.

Whereas the Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco has ever advocated the interests of the merchant marine of the United States and steadfastly believes that all means should be adopted whereby it may ultimately flourish in consonance with our national greatness, and has heretofore memorialized Congress to this effect; and

Whereas the Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco also believes that the sea power of the United States should be maintained and strengthened, and particularly by making provision so that our merchant marine may be ancillary to our Navy should the emergency require: Therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senators and Representatives of the State of California in Congress be, and they are hereby, requested to support and secure the enactment of legislation substantially as provided for in Senate bill No. 6291, Fiftyeighth Congress, third session, entitled "To promote the national defense, to create a force of naval volunteers, to establish American ocean line mails to foreign markets, to promote commerce, and to provide revenue from tonnage."

AMERICAN COTTON MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION.

May 11, 1905.

Resolved, That more American ships to deliver the products of American factories are indispensable to a full development of our export trade with foreign lands, and especially with South America and the Orient.

Resolved, That the American Cotton Manufacturers' Association heartily commends the frank and thorough report of President Roosevelt's Merchant Marine Commission, and urges Congress at the next session to enact vigorous legislation for the upbuilding of American shipping in overseas trade, as a most effective method of commercial expansion. The American people must no longer be dependent upon the flags of England, France, and Germany, their mercantile competitors, for the means of reaching the neutral markets of the world.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS.

May 17, 1905.

Whereas this association has annually for several years plead for the restoration of the merchant marine, now imperative and indispensable for our present and future commerce, our exports having reached nearly a total of a billion and a half and our imports over a billion and still increasing; and

Whereas our flag has almost entirely disappeared from the high seas, 92 per cent of our entire foreign commerce having been transported in foreign-built vessels in 1903 and over 95 per cent in 1904, including naturalized steamships under American registration; and

Whereas at the Fifty-eighth Congress a commission was created for the purpose of investigation and reporting upon the merchant-marine necessities of the United States: Therefore, be it

Resolved, That the National Association of Manufacturers commends the work of the Merchant Marine Commission, heartily approves the passage of a bill for the upbuilding of American shipping in the foreign trade for our passengers, mails, and war service, and requests Congress to promptly take action on such a bill, thereby making possible an American marine power for the present and future expansion of our great commerce and as an auxiliary to our Navy.

BOARD OF TRADE OF THE STATE OF MAINE.

September 22, 1905.

Whereas for many years the State of Maine was famous for its shipbuilding, the products of its forests and the skill of its mechanics being known the world over for the safety, speed, and beauty of its ships; and

Whereas a century ago and for a period of over thirty years American ships carried an average of 90 per cent of our entire foreign commerce, they were unrivaled in construction; they were commanded, officered, and manned by men who were unequaled for their ability and whose courage and intrepidity have repeatedly shed imperishable renown upon the pages of our history, in all of which Maine ships and Maine men bore a conspicuous and glorious part; and Whereas, while during the past half century the growth of our land industries has been the marvel of mankind, while our domestic carrying has by national law been confined to American vessels, which have increased and prospered under freight rates that have been steadily reduced under the competition of our own people, our shipping in the foreign trade has shrunk to but one-third of its former proportions, being now of less tonnage than it was in 1810; and

Whereas despite the wonderful growth of our foreign commerce, now approaching in value $3,000,000,000 annually and requiring a shipping of fully 6,000,000 of tons for its ocean transportation, shipbuilding in the United States for the foreign trade has practically ceased; our Maine shipyards are shut down and in many places dismantled; our enterprising builders are facing ruin; our owner of deep-sea shipping are laying up, selling, or facing constant losses in the operation of their vessels; our shipmasters, officers, and seamen are without employment in the foreign trade; our young men are no longer bred to the sea, and we are threatened with extinction in the world's carrying trade, and Whereas our almost complete dependence upon foreign shipping for the transportation of our growing surplus products to distant markets is a grave menace to the stability and safety of our foreign trade, since war between any of the great European powers-always possible-upon whose ships we rely for our ocean carrying would suddenly and indefinitely deprive us of the means with which to market our exports, and cause disaster and widespread losses in every avenue of trade, and

Whereas our foreign commerce at present affords employment for foreign vessels that are so constructed as to be available as auxiliaries to the navies of the nations whose flags they fly, their officers and seamen being trained and educated at our expense as a reserve in time of need for our rivals and our possible enemies, while our Government is lacking in similar resource that is essential to our national defense, and

Whereas upon President Roosevelt's urgent recommendation the last Congress appointed a commission which thoroughly investigated the condition and needs of American shipping, their report and their bill to carry into effect their recommendations being now ready for presentation to the coming Congress: Therefore, be it

Resolved by the Maine State Board of Trade, That we keenly feel the loss to the nation and to our State resulting from our humiliating decay and impotence; that we appreciate the thorough work of the Congressional Merchant Marine Commission, which we commend to the earliest possible and most earnest consideration of Congress; that we are regardful of the splendid past services of Maine's Senators and Representatives in Congress and confidently rely upon them to take the lead in the coming Congress in presenting and urging the promptest possible enactment of adequate legislation for the upbuilding and prosperous and permanent development of our deep-sea shipping, and we especially depend upon the commanding influence, deep interest, and solicitous concern of President Roosevelt in the rehabilitation of our merchant marine to help place upon our national statutes provisions for an effective and enduring American maritime policy; and be it further

Resolved, That the president and secretary be requested to send attested copies of these resolutions to President Roosevelt, to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Congress of the United States, and to the press.

AMERICAN BANKERS' ASSOCIATION.

October 12, 1905.

Resolved by the American Bankers' Association, assembled:

1. That the members of this association are deeply interested in any measure which will promote the interest of the whole country commercially and industrially, and especially with reference to our foreign commerce.

2. That we favor and most respectfully urge the passage by Congress of some measure to foster and encourage the upbuilding of our merchant marine, and to give us back the prestige upon the high seas which we once enjoyed.

3. That we favor the ship-subsidy measure which has received consideration by Congress, which, we think, would tend to restore our flag upon the seas and build up our merchant marine to the extent that the necessities of our trade now and in the future may demand.

4. That we recommend that our Senators and Congressmen favor some just and equitable measure that will bring about the results and afford the relief above suggested.

5. That through our legislative committee we memorialize the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States with a copy of these resolutions.

NATIONAL FOUNDERS' ASSOCIATION.

November 15, 1905.

Resolved, That this convention of the National Founders' Association does most earnestly urge that our national legislators give their early attention to the deplorable condition of the American merchant marine.

Resolved, That we urge the immediate passage of the merchant-marine bill proposed by the Merchant Marine Commission and submitted to the last Congress as a part of its report.

COMMERCIAL CLUB OF MOBILE.

November 17, 1905.

Whereas upon the recommendation of President Roosevelt a Commission was appointed by the last Congress which thoroughly investigated the condition of American shipping, said Commission presenting a report, together with a bill to carry into effect its recommendations; and

Whereas the Commission found that but 9 per cent of our ocean carrying is done by American vessels, 91 per cent being carried by the subsidized and bountied shipping of other countries; that annually $200,000,000 are being paid to foreign ships, and this condition the Commission's bill would so remedy as to give to American ships a much larger and fairer share of our deep-sea carrying; and

Whereas the Commission's bill conforms in its provisions to the practices of other nations in dealing with their merchant shipping and is so designed as to not only give our shipowners a greater share of our foreign carrying, but to create a demand for American materials and American labor in shipbuilding, as well as afford employment afloat for American shipmasters, officers, and seamen, the ships and men being essential to the national defense for auxiliary naval purposes in time of trouble: Therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Commercial Club of Mobile, Ala., recognizing the pressing importance of an American mercantile marine, warmly commends the work of the Congressional Merchant Marine Commission and expresses the earnest hope that its bill will receive the support of Alabama's Senators and Representatives in Congress, to the end that we shall have an effective and enduring American mercantile marine measurably commensurate with our position as a great world power; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to the members of the Alabama delegation in Congress.