The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-13
HARBOR MASTERS.

VIEWS OF MERCHANTS AND sHIPowNERs ON
GOVERNOR RoBINsoNs PROPOSED CHANGES IN
THE SYSTEM OF CONTROLLING THE SHIPPING
IN THE PORT OF NEW YORK.
The passage in the Governors annual message re-
lating to the Harbor Masters and Port Wardens Of
New York has occasoned comparatively little COM
ment among merchants shippers and shipowners
The same recommendation made last year and
received just little attention. Pilots and long
shoremen look with much contempt upon
Governor Robinson's notions Of wharfage bust
Uncle Sans tars do upon Secretary
Thompson's nautical knowledge. On Saturday a re-
porter of the HERALD wandered down along the for
est of and spars which borders South street in
the vicinity Of Old slip, and conversed about this
subject with many of the waterside characters who
always to be encountered around the piers and
bulkheads. Their opinions generally conspicu-
Gus for solid sense although there not lacking
among them some Jack Bunsbys who strike happy
and safe neutrality in giving them expression. Said
old stevedore: 81 reckon the Guv nors pretty
much at sea in this here consarn He amt cast
Choir nowhere, that's sartain, he wouldn't be
collidin' this way with facts be etarnal an
will stave in his logic below the water line sure.
Pooh it stands reason don't it, that of those
lunkhead. landlubber policemen handle
ship survey cargo. Why. they cant keep
their legs steady Shore Things all right it
is. tell you, an them NEEDLES with it II get
their fingers mashed"
sHIPowNERs SAY.
One of the principal shipowners in the city and
gentleman who speaks representative of their
interest asked for his opinions the suggestion
Of the Governor.
II do not think said he "that policemen would
be ut all competent to handle vessels to regulate
their positions and movements while in port. The
functions of the harbor masters require skill. ex-
perience and Judgment
'Is there at present any dissatisfaction with the
present system z?
'.None ut all among the merchants. The extortions
Of former years were etlectually done away with
when the Board 1 was reorganzed: The Supreme
and half cents per ton--are unconstitu-
tional as constituting tax upon commerce. which
is beyond the power Of the State The shpowners OF
New York. however, have agreed to continue the pay
ment Of the harbor masters for their work i'll this
city the ground that it is necessity. 1t is there
tore entirely voluntary and does under the
decision OF the Court All the present harbor masters
excepting one have been masters of vessels They
have had a thorough nautical training, and such
should be the with all the occupants OF those
Offices They have to understand the run OF the tides.
for instance in order to direct integenty the haul
ing of vessel in the proper manner. Green hands
would make great botch Of such work
''What are the powers of a harbor master?'
'He is to appoint the berths for vessels which have
arrived in this port to vessels to move when
they lie i'll the and to decide Questions Of pre-
cedence in occupancy between owners OF rival YES
sells"
''Do the harbor masters have jurisdiction the
docks and wharves the shores opposite to those OF
New York;"
Bills are constantly forwarded to merchants from
the harbor masters OF Jersey City, Brooklyn, &c. but
they paid by merchants. as ut those places
we do not think their services necessary
CHANGE SUGGESTED
'Can you name any change that is generally desired
by merchants?''
The only one that could suggest would be to
give the harbor masters stated salaries. Then the
recompense of their services could longer be
strued as coming under the prohibition of the con
stitution. AT present they hold Office simply on
sutferance. The OF the State Dement'S the
whole of it, and there is no reason why they should
not be paid out of the State funds
III the Legislature should take action on the Gov
ernor Recommendation do you think that the ship
owners would contest any innovation radically
changing the present SYSTEM
mo. do not think 50. We do not look upon this
movement as amounting to anything. 1t is SIMPLY
piece of political claptrap.
STEAMSHIP COMPANIES
Another shipper said
Il think the Governor got his inspiration from
the steamship companies, which own their
wharves. 1t is their interest of course, to have
full control of them There is dispute to whether
private ownership gives this control to them.
There is doubt that it does not, in gen
eral, but the Legislature has hocuspocused
the matter that they have done very much
they pleased. Now policemen perform the du-
ties OF harbor masters very well, far they
concerned. They would merely be detailed to stand
upon the wharves and acquiesce in everythin that
the companies might desire to have done. This
would be very nice the companies. and it is just
what they want"
"Do you approve of the proposition to consolidate
the Board OF harbor Masters with the Board OF Port
Wardensy
..No. do not The duties entirely distinct and
dissimilar; do think that policemen could per-
form the duties of the port wardcus in satisfactory
manner 1 think that the Governor is under a mis-
apprehension the functions of the port wares.
They have existed from time immemoral. and have
been considered necessary to commerce ever
since il has amounted TO anything"
''Have you any fault to find with the present
Board?'
..None whatever 1t is well constituted not too
highly pad, and performs its duties in u manner
satisfactory to the mercantile community"
Collector Merritt, being unwell, went home early
Saturday and his views with regard to the harbor
masters ana port wardens could not be obtained,