New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-13
TIE SHIPPING ACT.
RrroRr or THE sHIp-owNERs' CoM2uTrER-cO>fsIs-
sloNER DUNCAN SAID 10 HAVE EXCEEDED HIS

REPORT oF THE sHp-owNERS' CoM&TrHE-CoNMIs-
sIoNER DUNCAN SAID 10 HAVE EXCEEDED HIS
POWERS.
The New-York Ship-Owncrs Association met
yesterday No. 81 Pino-s. James A. Van Brunt pre-
siding The Committee Potage announced the fol
lowing as proposition OF the ship-owners to the
pilots: The merchants and shp-owners desire the
pIotage laws OF this state and the regulations of
the Commissioners Pilots be amended upon the
Joint petition OF merchants, shp-owners Sandy Hook
pilots, and the Commissioners OF Pilots that pilotage
ground, within which only pilotase shall be compulsory
shall be inside OF line drawn through the furthes 81
point to the southwark and eastward or Sandy Hook
Lighthouse at which said lighthouse be seen from
the Of a vessel In the day time IN fair weather ;
thar on side of said vessel shall compelled To-
receive pilot board accept his services or be
or become liable to any charge whatever for
potage If such services are refused; but that the re-
cepton and employment OF pilot for that purpose he
his vessel her and consgnees shall be liable for
fshore potage ut present rates and the plot so ac-
cepcd shall be bound TO take charge of the vessel from
the time OF such acceptance, and shall also have the
prior right continue in charge OF her within pi.
lotage ground. n pilot he refused outside
OF said line, he shall not he bound 10 take
charge OF the vessel inside Of H.: but II he
choose to board her outside with the per.
mission OF the MASTER bnt accompany her to pilotage
ground for tile sake OF the inward piotage aud shall
there his offer, he shall tho prior right 10
take charge OF her within piloage ground Every
compelled 10 take pilot Dy the laws OF this
or United STATES aud having pilot arrival al
pilotage ground, shall be bound nrst pilot
afterward Offering. Repeal OF ali laws and regulations
of Commissioners OF Pilots Incompatible with these pro-
visions
pilots to whom this proposition mad been sent had
replied that when " the Pilot laws passed, there
was great objection made by -ip-Owners that the pilots
did not OfshOres and the trainers of the laws
had them enacted IA view thereof. Aud further that
they believe thai the changes proposed will he detri
mental the mercantile Interests, and dangerous TO
human life aud the Of the port"
The committee appointed to inquire INTO the admins
tratOn OF the United States shipping Act reported that
variety OF charges of misconduct In Office, extortions
&c were made against Capt Duncan; but OF them
were sustained by the evidence adduced while
were cOncusvely dispr0ved. The committee, however
further report that addition 10 his legitimate powers
Can't Duncan "has assumed To mOnopOlize In his
office tie entire business Of engaging aud procuring
sailors for vessels Ia need OF Crews, and under
version OF the net. he threatens with
cuiion any private individual who may engage or pro-
cnre seaucn But The functions which he has thus
assumed necessitate the employment OF numerous sub
urdinates he has created force Of officers and Gu
plovGs amounting ia "a 10 number At the date
Of his las, official report, and las paid tBese