The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-13


!, he action Of the Board of PILOT Commissioners.
..what do you think OF tho mattor!" queried the
II consider it," the reply of Mr.. Hurst. ga
very strange proceeding on the part of the Commits
sioners. In the first place think that they have no
right to do what they have done, and second / am
of opinion that il they have the right it viii be bad
Judgment in them 10 exercise that right"
an your opinion. then. the construction and
operation of steam pilot boats have now become .
necessity
"AIost decidedly. regard the action of the Pilot
Board tending TO stop the natural path of progress
in the whole matter. l can reason whatever
why steam pilot boats should not 30 used by any
body that wants to use them. That is how look at
the subject. This whole matter will have to be
brought up sooner later, and the issue mig hit as
well be met now as at any other time. The courts
will doubt be appealed to- and decision to settle
the questions will DO obtained. The, Pilot Commits
sioners have always. when the steamship companies
wanted anything DONE claimed that they had little
authority over the pilots. and yet in this thing
they come out and threaten to do this that with
these men IN case steam pilot boat is used by them
or course believe the Commissioners have power
to suspend pilot for misconduct, but whether the
building OF steam pilot boat the operating of it
would constitute misconduct in the eyes Of the law
is another matter
'How do you regard the movement for the reduc-
ton of rates OF pilotage?"
~ consider it to be nothing but right and proper
that the rates should be reduced All the steamship
AGENTS feel that the present charges too high
ter OF what is paid in New York is charged. The
rates originally put up when gold DEAR and
slider it about time to make change in this respect
and think will succeed
Mr.. Guion. of the Williams 4 Guion line. was
found III his Office by the reporter and found time
to express his opinion to the effect that he Endorsed
everything said by Mr.. Hurst. When pressed to
further explain his position Mr. Guion said that he
strongly in favor of having steam pilot boats
built and operated. "They are necessity" he con-
tinued "and hope they will come into use. Be.
than those now in use.
Mr.. Bebian. agent for a French line of steame rs.
ton Of the Pilot Commissioners. He considered it
strange that such had been taken. Further
than this MIR. Bebian courteously declined to say
anything
''wrLL AMOUNT NOTHING"
Mr.. Coverly, OF the Anchor line of steamships, was
next seen by the reporter He was seated in his
Office in Bowling Green, and in answer to the first
question OF the reporter said that he did not think
the action that had been taken by the Pilot Board
would amount to anything.
What makes you think sop he asked.
'Wel. was the reply, II can't see how o pilot
to go to sea in steam vessel As understand the
law in reference to the powers and duties of the
Pilot Commissioners they have only jurisdiction
over pilots when the latter have been accused and
proved guilty of misconduct. Now it surely
no misconduct for pilot a steam vessel, nor
is it legally wrong for him to interest in the
construction or operation of q steam vessel Con-
sequently fail to where the jurisdiction Of the
Board comes in / certainly do not think the mem
bers have anything to do with this matter"
"Then you will still go on and use the steam pilo
craft?"
WQoteVer
taken by the Pilot Commissioners in regard to the
subject. The boats will be constructed and will b<
in operation in a short time
"Do you anticipate that there will be any conflict
of authority?'
"I do not; but if there should be- why, of course
only legal measures will be resorted to to test the
question. When the new boats have had fair tria
am confident there can be objection raised Il
their use They will be better in every way-mor
convenient more durable and far better adapted t.
the purposes for which they will be used. thinl
there will be no opposition of any consequence t.
the new vessels when they have been once given
trial.
Several agents and representatives of other ship
ping interests made substantially the same state
ments detailed in the conversations which
have already been given. gentleman intimatel,
connected with the management of Of the oldes
transatlantic companies, but who declined to ALLOW
his name to be mentioned, informed the reports
that united movement would be made in case tn
Pilot Commissioners persisted in carrying out thei
threats.
This will be made general hght." continued
this gentleman, land will gain point, yol
can depend upon 1t. We anxious to be in rs ad
vanced condition OF civilization any other par
OF the world and think that steam pilot boat
should be introduced here. In my judgment tn
Pilot Board will their and retrace the stel
which they have taken. Whether they do or not W
are ready to make fight on the questions involved
and we feel confident of ultimate success. Why tn
Commissioners might well say that the electri
light never to be used for illuminating purpose
to issue the orders they have issued. The msrcl
OF progress demands that improvements be mad
wherever possible. Those who oppose the spirit O
the age will not succeed you can depend upon it.
The Hercules will be ahoat on Saturday.