The New York herald., 1879-12-04
PILOTS PRIVILEGES.
MERCHANTS AND suIpowNERs CLAIM THE PRt

MERCHANTS AND sHIPowNERs CLAIM THE PRO-
LECTION OF THE LAw-FUITHER REDUCTION
OF PILoTAGE FEES DEMANDED.
On the invitation of the Maritime Association Of
this port large meeting of merchants and ship
owners was held yesterday afternoon in the rooms
of the Board of Managers of the Maritime Exchange
for the purpose of agreeing upon sone plan to
change the State Pilotage laws. Mr. Charles +.
Elwell president of the Maritime Exchange. acted
chairman. and among the audience were several
Sandy Hook pilots. The chairman called for re-
port from the committee appointed by the Exchange
to confer with committees from the Chamber OF
Commerce. Produce Exchange. Shipowners' Associ-
alton and the New York pilots. in relation to re-
duction of pilotage charges. Mr.. j. Ernest Miller
in reply said that three different conferences had
been held with the pilots without result. the latter
only Offering reduction OF fifteen per cent in their
charges, while the merchants and shipowners were
unanimous in their demand for reduction OF
thirtythree per cent In addition, he said that thu
pilots had insisted that masters. owners or con-
signees of vessels should give them twenty-four
hours notice of their sailing under the penalty OF
forfeiting full pilotage charges. This demand Mr..
Miller characterized insult to the entire mer.
camille community, and he denounced 1t as another
bad clause which the pilots desired added to the OBJ
noxious puotage laws which have been in existence
for the past twenty five years. On motion of Mr.. q.
A. Brett the report Of the committee was received
and ordered placed file. The chairman then asked
for suggestions or information from the merchants
present, and Mr.. Miller responded, endeavoring to
prove that the pilotage system OF this port WAS
monstrous monopoly. He insisted that the pilot
age laws should be revised and that many clauses
should be expunged altogether He denounced
the present Pilot commissioners % , as mere nguse-
q single decision which pilots were bound to ac-
cept The speaker gave no credit to the pilots Tor
wsrcforce to do by the system Of steam pilOtage
now introduced, which had taken the wind out of
oient salary for pilot when captains Of English
steamers receive only from $1,000 to $2,6O0 per
annum.
BETTER LAWS REQUIRED.
He contended that the mercantile community
should go the Legislature and endeavor TO secure
the passage of free pilotage bill or at least re-
duction in the pilotage charges OF thirtythree per
cent. If no redress could be obtained ct Albany
then the merchants and shipowners should 20 to
citizens. The provisions Of the constitu-
tion of the United States. he stated. had
been violated by the He'll Gate pilots. who had
contracted not to charge any fees to owners of
vessels residing in Suffolk county, whiles they in
sisted on half pilotage rates from residing in
Kings county and Connecticut. even If the pilots had
only spoken their vessels. He read protest against
this system Of favortsm signed by seventeen snip
masters Of Boston. who claimed that 1t was an un-
just tax imposed by this State her sister States
which do business through He'll Gate channel Pi.
their fees for damage done to vessels while in
their charge
On motion Of Mr. Thomas P. Ball, Of the Produce
Exchange the committee was retained with power to
act. resolution was subsequently adopted adding
five members to the committee and giving them
power to collect money to publish pamphlets and to
60 to Albany and Washington with eminent counsel
for the purpose Of seeking redress.
Several pilots were approached after the meeting.
They expressed their determination to fight the mat
ter out They complained that the merchants de-
mand Of thirty three per cent reduction in charges
preposterous. Pilot Harbinson admitted that
his craft might possibly agree to reduction Of
twenty per cent 1--we per cent more than they had
offered) and said that q ballot now being taken
on the question OF this further reduction Of rates.