Morning journal and courier., 1888-01-24
CAPTAIN TOwNsHENB,s TRIP.

Industrial League and the Meeting
 of the Board of Frade-KEis Petition
 For a Fog Signal on the West End
 of the East Breakwater.
 The Chamber of Commerce of this city at it's last meeting appointed a committee to visit Washington, D. e., composed of Messrs J. D. Dewell, Hon. N. D. Sperry and Captain o. H. Townshend. They were to represent the Chamber before the American Shipping and Industrial league, also before the nation al board of trade, both bodies being in ses- sion the past week. But on account of a combination of circumstances Messrs. Dewell and Sperry were unable to go, therefore Cap tain Townshend as committee represented them. He started for Washington week ago yesterday, arriving there the following Tuesday morning, and he learned upon his arrival there that the American Shipping and Industrial league were in session at Willard's Hall, where he at once went and presented his credentials and was given. seat in the meeting. General Wheeler of Alabama, a member of the House of Representatives, a is the president. Willards Hall was deco rated with flags of the United States navy, revenue, merchant and marine and also with several models of merchant steamers and clipper ships. The stage was elegantly deco rated with two enormous United States flags festooned and in the center a large United States coat-of-ar and around the walls hung the coat-of-arms of all the different States of the Union.
 After numerous letters that had been re- ceived from prominent citizens throughout the United States, among them one from Admiral Porter and Gen. John Sherman, had been read, explaining their absence, reso- lution was unanimously passed that dele gate from each State should be heard, com mencing with Maine. The topic was the restoration or American commerce by the passage of bill favoring prompt and efect- i've measures for it's restoration.
 Admiral David D. Porter delivered an ad- dress upon reviving the shipping This was presented to Congress in order that it might pass bill favoring it. On Wednesday the committee met again at Willard's Hall and Superintendent Thorne of the United States Coast Survey at the suggestion of Captain Townshend, decorated the hall with charts showing the harbors of the coast of the United States, including Alaska, covering not less than 25,000 miles of coast. There were present about 200 delegates in all. He also attended the annual meeting of the board of trade which was held at Will lard's Hall Wednesday noon for organization. Credentials were handed in by new mem bers arriving and preliminary arrangements were accomplished and an executive com mittee was appointed Among them was Hon. N. D. Sperry, who was also elected a vice president for 1888 and 1889.
 The first subject taken up for considera- tion was the "Postal Telegraph" and the committee reported upon revenue tariff and the surplus in the treasury.
 Thursday, when they convened, 8 resolu- tion asking Congress to amend the natur- alizatien laws was adopted. A resolution was adopted favoring the revision and codi- 6cation of the national banking laws on the basis of the recommendations of the con- troller of the currency. Then several reso- lutions were adopted urging action by Congress looking to the restoration of the merchant marine and advocating the policy of paying bounties to American vessels. They also adopted the resolution favoring the passage by Congress of the tonnage bill that is now pending be- tion of the day was the resolutions presented by tho New York, Philadelphia, New Haven and Boston boards touching the ocean postal service, the bounties on tonnage and the re- building of the merchant marine. The reso- lutions elecited considerable discussion, Messrs. Henry of New York, Clough of Chicago, Colonel Wetherill of Philadelphia, Captain Snow of New York and Captain Townshend of New Haven and Senator Dolph of Oregon joining in the debate, the latter making clear, business like and telling ad- dress.
 An amendment to the bounty on ton mage offered by MT. Baker of Chicago to the effect that foreign built ships should be admitted to the American registry free of duty brought down perfect storm of opposition and call ed up an interesting and forcible discussion which continued for an hour. The amend ment was lost by a vote of g to 10. The resolution was then carried by the same vote. --t, While the sessions were going on Captain Townshend was enabled to put in some good work for general and local interests Through the influence of Congressman French he was enabled to appear before g full committee on rivers and harbors and get important changes ordered in the improve. ments off the entrance of the port. He also made an effort to get the breakwater appro priation increased, it having been cut down by the chief of engineers from Col. Houston'e recommendation for $500, ,00O Nothing was decided on by the committee and it is prob able that delegation from the city will go to Washington at an early date to urge the importance of these measures.
 Captain Tounshend made an effort at the Lighthouse board for the immediate con- struction of steam fog horn on the west end of the east breakwater, to be of suffi- cient power to be heard in calm weather five miles. He mentioned that 8 petition was prepared and being circulated and would soon be forwarded, Captain Evans and Chief Clerk Gregory of the Lighthouse board agree ing with the captain on it's importance. The petition as drawn Is as follows:
 To the Lighthouse Board, Washington, D. C.:
 The undersigned citizens of the United States en- gagged in Long Island Sound navigation most ear ing of steam fog horn of the first class the west end of the east breakwater off the harbor of New Haven, Connnectcut, and of such power as to be heard when operated at least five nautical miles in calm weather. That in consideration of the increasing traffic and the safety of millions of lives which by necessity are compelled to use this water route, viz: Long Island sound, and whose this long needed want, which should not be delayed for another season. We here briefly mention reasons for it's immediate construction:
 1st. The approaches formerly to the harbor of New Haven during snow storms and fog were made eminent charts but within the past ten years oyster cultivation has been extended into the Sound, and deceive the most skillful pilots and navigators.
 2d. On account of the convenient situation of this port it has long been used for refuge and large fleets of steam sail and barge tonnage frequent it in stormy weather and often blockade the ap- age place. for miles, making an immediate want for some stationary and known sound on the land to guide their fleets to the docks, steam and other vessels which must be kept under controlling head way to avoid collision and damage.
 ad. The accompanying statistics giving the large and dangerous point of the coast show the utility CTS through the Sound most of which pass within hearing distance and in of disaster may be di rected to this station where assistance be dered; and also for the safety of merchandise hay ing an estimated value of millions of dollars daily transported, and this harbor is used annually by ships in the government service it's value in time of war as Strategic point, being mentioned one of the most important points on the American coast. And your petitioners will ever pray, etc.
 This petition will be sent on to the board. Great praise is awarded to Congressman French, Capt. Townshend saying that he is indefatigably laboring for the promotion of New Haven harbors interests.
 REDUCED S7.OOO.
 A Good Showing Made By Rev,
 Father Russell of St. Patrick,s.
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