Speech #550020809

After the approval of the resolution of April 7. the Secretary of the Navy informed the chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs of the Senate by letter. a copy of which I hold in my hand. that American vessels suitable for transporting this grain could not be obtained. and suggested in that connection that Messrs. T. Hogan & Sons would charter to the Government. for the purpose of transporting food supplies to India. the vessels Massapequa and Xfenantic upon terms specified. if these vessels can be "naturalized." These terms were that they would be willing to take a full cargo of grain -in each. provided the Government would "naturalize" these two steamers before they leave this country. and that they would charge for the grain in bulk $6 per ton of 2.240 pounds hence to Bombay. or $7 per ton of 2.240 pounds hence to Calcutta. or should it be requisite to ship the cargo in bags. the price would be $6.60 per ton to Bombay and $7.70 per ton to Calcutta. and they also offered to make these ships a part of the naval auxiliary of the United States. Now. Mr. Speaker. the proposition contained in the amendment which I shall offer has these several features: It looks to the transportation of the grain to India free of cost to the Government of the United States. it looks to the transportation of this grain under the American flag. and it looks to the use of any vessels that may. be chartered under the provision of the amendment which I propose being made a part of our naval auxiliary. All that this Government is required to do for this privilege of transporting the grain is to see that the vessels carrying it shall. be admitted to American registry. or. to use the language adopted by the Secretary of the Navy. to "naturalize foreignbuilt ships that may carry this grain. This is the only condition imposed for the free transportation of this grain. that the vessels so carrying it shall be entitled to American registry and entitled to fly the American flag. The amendment which I shall propose will enable the Secretary of the Navy to accept any offer that may be. made to him by citizens of the United States owning steamships suitable for the purpose. of foreign build. to carry this grain. about 8.000 tons. free of cost to the United States. on condition. as I have sAid. that the ships be granted American registers.