The New York herald., 1879-11-22
PILOTS FEES.
Merchants, ShiPownsrs and Pilots Comforting
About Change Of the Law:
THIRrY.THRRE PER CENT OFF DEMANDED.
The Pilots Take a Week to Con-
slider the Proposition.


slider the Proposition.
At three o'clock yesterday afternoon the sub
committees appointed by the different commercial
organizations to reduction of the pilotage
charges at the port met in conference at the
of the Chamber of Commerce. with Messrs. Henry
Harbinson and Josiah johnson representing the
pilots Messrs. Gustav Schwab and J. O. Ward were
present for the Chamber of Commerce. J. W. Parker
and Alston Wilson the shipowners Association. j.
E. Ward and J. E. Miller for the Maritime Association
and c. +. Funch and Il. p. Ball for the Produce Ex-
change. Mr.. Gustav Schwab elected chair
man and Mr.. Allston Wilson secretary. Mr.. Schwab
said that he had prepared table showing tho
relative percentages required to be deducted in
order to arrive at the old rates Of plotage and he
found that about thirtythree per cent. on an aver
age would have to be taken from the present rates.
He asked the meeting to discuss the question OF
what percentage should be deducted
Mr.. Hsrbnson, for the pilots, said that his COM
mittee were prepared to receive any propositions
the other subcommittee might make, but it was
not ready to accept them immediately He would
have to consider the matter with his brother pilots
and might be able to give an answer in the of
week. He hoped the propositions would. be as
reasonable as possible.
Mr.. Schwab thought that the committee from the
pilots should state what reduction they thought
might be acceptable to their craft but Mr. Harbin-
son said he had no power to act without consulta-
tion with his brethren.
VIEWS OF THE MERCHANTS.
Mr. j. E. Miller OF the Maritime Association. then
arose and presented tho views Of merchants and
shipping men relative to the reduction of pilotage
charges and also as to reforms in the piotage laws.
He claimed that the interests of shipowners and
pilots should be identical, and stated that IN his
opinion there should be free pilotage bill. He
claimed that this was no idea, and to his
assertion he read a remonstrance presented in 1858
to the Legislature by the insurance managers ship
ping and merchants OF this city advocating the
passage of free piotage law. The speaker thought
that the majority OF shipping men were Of the same
Mr.. Harbinson. of the pilots said that the gentle
man was not talking to the question before the
ference committees. and asked him to state what
duction was wanted from the pilots.
Mr.. Miller refused to be in nterrupted and, continu-
Ing said that. although some of his associates de-
sired free pilotage law. the same did not seem
feasible to the majority. Almost all OF them how
ever, he contended, believed that there should be
return to the schedule rates of 1853 which would
make reduction of thirty-three per cent in the
present piotage charges. He claimed if the pilots
wonld law OF 1885, that they would receive
larger fees than that tme because vessels have in
creased enormously in draft AT present the pilots
were charging too much for the work done by then
and he cited instance the fact that the Anchor
line had paid s.. 100 in one week for pilotage.
HALF PILoTAGE CERTAIN CASES.
that only half potage shall be charged all vessels
(Which have paid full potage in and QUIT when they
pilots should not take the last dollar or the last drop
OF blood from the shipping interests he then cited
the case Of the Henry S. sandford. which had come
back to this port with murderer, and which
charged $24l S6. or double pilotage fees.
Third-The merchants and shipping, men, he
orders but not loading, thereat. In this
ordered their vessels to Delaware Breakwater and
Hampton Roads and thereby saved considerable
money. He contended that if they allowed to
here for orders at half potage rates the pilots
would get more vessels aud the commerce Of the
The fourth demand. the speaker said, was that no
compulsory pilotage shall be charged vessels
turning for shelter after having discharged their
Mr.. Harbinson. of the pilots. said that such
the rule ut present.
SLAVES OF THE PILOTS.
The fifth demand the cancellation OF bylaw
No % OF the pilot rules and much of section %
OF the same which requires vessels to take outward
pilots from the pilot boats that furnished them
with inward pilots. Mr.. Miller said that he con-
own pilots. as the latter were in no way liable for
damages. He maintained that it was bad enough to
be compelled to take pilot without being forced to
take certain According to his idea of this
bylaw shippers had no voice in the construction of
the and were simply slaves OF the pilots.
This seemed to nettie the pilots present. and one
of them Josiah Johnson. interrupted the speaker and
said that he did not come to the meeting to be abused
Mr.. Miller continued, and put forward the sixth
demand of his associates. that there should be no
disc scrimination in rates between licensed and regis
master who is competent to pilot his ship safely into
port should be allowed to do hi plotting by
paying halt pilotage charges and tie eighth demand
that the present compulsory oI-shore piotage
should be abolished Mr. Miller said that very often
vessel arriving from foreign port In charge of
through the most intricate portions of the
navigable world. when coming into this easy
port is met by pilot 500 miles out to and IL he
does engage him. he has to pay pilotage charges
The speaker thought this was wrong, and claimed
know his position at that distance out as well as the
pilots, and that he should be allowed to bring his
vessel to haven without interference. In conclu-
sion Mr.. Miller admitted that he had been hostile to
the pilots in the past. but said that if compromise
was effected he would do all in his power to have
vessels sent hereafter by OF Sandy Hook instead
OF Hell Gate
THE PILOTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
Mr.. Harbinson, OF the pilots, then took the floor,
and said that he did propose to say one word in
answer to Mr.. Miller's scolding of the Sandy Hook
pilots. He would let that gentleman 3 reinarks 90
on their merits some one else, however. would
speak for him and his brothers. He then read a
sentatves under date Of February M 1870 in Which
the principal underwriters and merchants of this
city claimed that the piotagc system of this port
well conducted aud that the pilots skilful
and brave mon The signers of the document also
stated that the pilotage laws since 1858 have
no change needed. and that the compensation
OF the pilots was little enough considering that
and that they could very seldom practice their pro-
fession more than twenty-five years. Mr.. Harbin-
son then reminded his hearers that pilots work
very light. and expressed the opinion
that very few people would caro- to have been fifty
miles out to sea during the northwest gale that pre-
vailed on Thursday night NIn regard to doing away
with compulsory p,lotage Mr.. Harbnson said
that such action might please the agents
of few foreign steamship companies. but
that thousands OF the residents or New York,
who frequently visit Europe. would bitterly oppose
such Undertaking. they considered the piotagc
system their only safeguard. lie again said that hc
could accept mono of the propositions until he had
reported them to his brother pilots and asked an
adjournment for one week. resolution was after
ward adopted thnt the pilots be furnished with
copy OF sse different changes In the pilotage laws
demandedby the merchants and shippers and. on
motion, the conference adjourned until Friday
next. when is expected the matter will be settled
way the other.
THE POST OFFICE ELEVATORS.