30 REPORT OF AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE COMMISSION.

AppENDIX D.
INQUIRIES AS TO THE FREE-SHIP QUESTION.

Desirous of learning how far a simple free-ship policy would be effectivein increasing
 the American merchant marine in foreign trade, the Merchant Marine Commission
 caused inquiries to be sent to the chief American owners of foreign-built
steamships now being operated under foreign flags. These inquiries and the replies
received from the steamship managers were as follows:

Tae MERCHANT MARINE COMMISSION,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs: It is stated in the report of the Cominissioner of Navigation for 1902
that you are the owners in whole or in part of several steamships foreign built and
row flying foreign colors.
The Merchant Marine Commission is charged by Congress to ascertain, if possible,
the best method of increasing American tonnage in the over-seas trade. Will you
kindly state for the information of the Commission:
1. Whether you would, if so authorized by Congress, transfer your foreign-built
ships to American registry to engage exclusively in the foreign trade, but to remain
without subsidy, differential duty, or any other Government encouragement?
2. Whether you would transfer your foreign-built steamships to American registry
 if they were admitted to all or part of any subsidy or differential duty granted
by our Government, but were still confined to the foreign trade?
3. Whether you would transfer your foreign-built steamships to American regisfry
 if no subsidy or differential duty were granted, but if the ships were allowed to
enter the coastwise trade on the same terms as other American vessels?
4, Whether you would transfer your foreign-built ships to the American flag for
foreign trade alone if vou were required to build an equivalent tonnage in this
rountry ?
5. Whether, if your foreign-built ships were admitted to American registry, you
would also wish to have the privilege of employing alien officers and be exempted
from the food scale required hy United States law?
Verv truly, vours,

WinTHROP L. MARVIN. Secretary.

t
New Yorrg. November 2, 1904.

Tae MercHANT MARINE COMMISSION,
Washington, D. C.
GenTLEMEN: We ackuowledge yours of the 24th ultimo and herewith answer questions
 proposed in the light of existing circumstances and conditions, which may
change materially by the time legislation is enacted.
In reply to question 1 we reply in the negative.
To question 2 we reply that we would probably if entitled to full subsidy.
No. 3 we answer affirmatively.
No. 4 we answer in the negative.
No. 5. We would prefer to have the privilege of employing aliens for positions
below captain and chief engineers, but would not object to compliance with United
States law respecting food scale.
Yours, truly, W. R. Grace & Co.,
Per A. D. Snow.

[TERNATIONAL MERCANTILE MARINE COMPANY,
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT,
9 Broadway. New York. November 8, 1904.

Wivraror L. Marvin, Fsq.,
Secretary the Merchant Marine Commission, Washington, D. .C.
Dear Sir: In reply to your communication of the 29th ultimo asking certain questions
 for the information of the Merchant Marine Commission. we beg to make reply
as follows:
1. If Congress should authorize the issuing of American register to foreign-built
ships to engage exclusively in the foreign trade, hut.provide for no governmental