It proposes to enter upon an entirely new and untried experimentto inaugurate a scheme of governmental aid to the business of one class of our citizens to the exclusion of all others. but at their expenseof granting *a subsidy. pure and simple. to our shipowners and shipbuilders. It proposes to make. or authorize to be made. an appropriation out of the Public Treasury of the sum of at least $1.050.000 for the first year. $1.250.000 for the second year. $1.750.000 for the third year. $2.250.000 for the fourth year. and so on with this annual geometrical increase until it reaches the sum of 05.250.C00 for the tenth year. at which point the beneficent and allmerciful authors of this bill have kindly set the limit. These are some of the harsh and cruel exactions of the shipowners and shipbuilders of the United States from the American taxpayers for which they offer no return. ." Oh." they say. "it will furnish the United States Navy a naval reserve of 10.000 welltrained and experienced men to enter that service in the event of war or public danger ." that a certain per. cent of the officers and crew of each of the vessels sharing in -this governmental generosity shall be enrolled as volunteers in the Naval Reserve. until it shall reach the maximum of 10.000. who shall be subject to certain instructions. rules. and regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy. and to do service in the Navy when called upon by the Government. that these men and offiqers shall be enrolled for a period of four years and shallbe citizens by birth or naturalization. and shall be paid a retainer for each year they are so enrolled as a gratuity out of the public treasury at the end of each year at from $110 to $24 each. according to the rating of capacity to perform such service. The total annual expenditure for this -purpose as provided in the bill is estimated by the majority report. for the first year at $150.000. for the second year. $300.00. for the third year. $400.000. for the fourth year. $500.000. when it shall have reached the maximum. and from this on it shall remain a perpetual charge on theGovernment at the rate of onehalf .million annually. Now. will some gentleman kindly answer what is proposed as a return for this enormous expenditure of the peoples taxes?
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naturalization