2 REPORT OF AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE COMMISSION.

In response to this earnest recommendation Congress passed the act
of April 28, 1904, creating the Merchant Marine Commission, composed
 of five Senators and tive Representatives.
The text of the act by which the Commission was authorized is as
follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, That a commission is hereby created, to be called “The Merchant
 Marine Commission,” to be composed as follows: Five members of the Senate
of the United States and five inembers of the House of Representatives of the United
States, to be appointed by the presiding officer of each llouse of Congress, respectively:
 Provided, That at least two of the said members of the Senate and two of the
said members of the House of Representatives shall be members of the minority
party.
Src. 2. That it shall be the duty of this commission to investigate and to report to
the Congress on the tirst day of its next session what legislation, if any, is desirable
for the development of the American merchant marine and American commerce,
and also what change, or changes, if any, should be made in existing laws relating
to the treatment, comfort, and safety of seamen, in order to make more attractive
the seafaring calling in the American merchant service.
Sec. 3. That the Commission shall give reasonable time for hearings, if deemed
necessary, and if necessary it may appoint a subcommission or subcommissions of its
own members to make investigation in any part of the United States, and it shall be
allowed actual necessary expenses for the same. Tt shall have the authority to send
for persons and papers and to administer oaths and affirmations. All necessary
expenses, including clerks, stenographers, messengers, rent for place of meeting, and
printing and stationery, shall be paid from any money in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated; however, not to exceed twenty thousand dollars for expenditure under
this section, to be paid upon vouchers to be approved by the chairman of the
Commission.
Sec. 4. That any vacancies occurring in the Commission, by reason of death, disability,
 or from any other cause, shall be filled by appointment by the officer and in
the same manner as was the member whose retirement from the Commission creates
the vacancy.
The Commission immediately met and organized in Washington, and
began its formal inquiry on May 23, 1904, in New York City, where
more witnesses appeared than could be examined in the three days set
apart for the initial hearing. That the mercantile interests of the
whole country welcomed the investigation and applauded its object
soon became manifest in every section of the United States. Urgent
invitations were received not only from the great ports of the north
Atlantic coast, but from the lake cities, the Gulf of Mexico, and the
distant Pacific seaboard. A full national itinerary was therefore
arranved and hearings were held as follows:

On the north Atlantic.

New York, May 23-25.
Philadelphia, May 26, 27.
Baltimore, May 28.
Boston. June 1-2.

On the Great Lakes.

Chicago, June 24.
Detroit, June 27.
Cleveland, June 28, 29.
Milwaukee, July 21

On the Pucifie.

Qeattle, July 26, 27.
Tacoma, July 28, 29.
Portland, August 1.
San Francisco, August 4, 5.

On the southern coast and Gulf of Mexico.
Galveston, November 12.
New Orleans, November 14.
Pensacola, November 15.
Brunswick, November 17.
Newport News. November 19

In addition to the above, the Commission held daily sessions in the
city of Washington from November 22 to December 12, hearing evidence,
 sifting the printed testimony, preparing a bill. and forecasting
a report to Congress.