RESOLUTION OFFERED BY MR. R. H. ROBINSON. 57 



Mr. Robinson : — Perhaps the way in which I have the resolution at the present time is 

 not quite complete, and with the permission of the seconder, I will modify it and resubmit 

 it. I therefore submit the resolution again, as follows : 



"Resolved, That this Society communicate with the Secretary of Commerce, and that its 

 services be tendered to assist in the preparation of any legislation or regulations that may be 

 undertaken by that Department, as a result of the recommendations of the International 

 Conference looking toward the definition or control of the construction and inspection of 

 ships." 



Mr. Taylor : — That meets entirely with my approval, Mr. Chairman, and having given 

 this subject some thought, and having taken care to investigate the efifects of what might 

 come out of this International Conference, I favor the resolution as now offered by Mr. Rob- 

 inson. 



Mr. Andrew Fletcher, Member of Council: — Would it not be well, in Mr. Robinson's 

 resolution, instead of using the words "ships" to use the words "steam vessels?" I make this 

 point, because one of the very serious things o the recent Seaman's Bill S 136 that has passed 

 the House of Representatives largely affects vessels on the Great Lakes that are not ships, but 

 very large steamboats ; it affects steamboats right here in the harbor of New York very se- 

 riously, and I think that if the resolution states steam vessels, rather than ships, it would be 

 more general and inclusive. 



Mr. Robinson : — I think the substitute proposed would be covered by "vessels," I do 

 not see why it should be "steam vessels," but rather should be any kind of vessels. 



The Chairman: — Instead of being an inclusive term, steam vessels would be an ex- 

 clusive term. 



Mr. Robinson : — The resolution as it now stands is as follows : — 



"Resolved, That this Society communicate with the Secretary of Commerce and the 

 Committees of the Senate and House charged with such legislation, and that its services 

 be tendered to assist in the preparation of any legislation or regulations that may be under- 

 taken by that Department as a result of the recommendations of the International Congress, 

 looking toward the definition or control of the construction and inspection of vessels." 



Mr. F. L. Du Bosque, Member: — Suppose the Secretary accepts this, what will you 

 do? 



The Chairman : — As Mr. Gladstone would say, when that question was put to him, that 

 is a detail to be settled later. 



I want to call the attention of the Society to one thing — the Department of Commerce 

 invites every naval architect in the country to come once a year to talk over things pertain- 

 ing to his own business. I presume we have all had the invitation. Where does the resolu- 

 tion differ from the practice now prevailing? 



