The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1888-11-29
AN UNSAFE PROPOSITION.

The Oregonidn of the 9th inst, in
an editorial on River Problems"
makes several sensible suggestions as
to legislative action In the interest of
commerce of this state which should
receive consideration at the next
meeting of the legislature.
But its suggestions on legislation
affecting the commerce of the lower
Columbia river are unsafe to follow.
1t says:
The lower river must also be a subject
of legislation. To relieve commerce of
burden the present pilot system ought to
be abolished. There is no need of other
pilots than the masters of the tugs that
do the towing. Again it should be con-
sidered whether some way cannot be de-
yised to regulate towage charges, so that
the cost of the service may be minimized.
We're it practicable, the right thing
would be for the state to undertake this
servioe-a service 30 necessary for the
common Good-and perform it at barest
cost.
1t is all right to endeavor to regu-
late and reduce to a reasonable figure
any and all expense to which ship
ping is subject while coming in or go
ing out or while remaining in this
harbor. But when it is proposed to
do away entirely with the pilotage
system in existence here and dispense
with the services of skilled pilots who
have special knowledge of the bal
and channels and currents about the
mouth of the river, proposition il
made which is not in the direction o!
increased safety to life and property
which is subject to unavoidable risk
when the greatest precaution is taken
No matter what laws the state may
enact there always will be pilots al
the mouth of the river ready to &c
aboard vessels of coming in and those
pilots will be taken by most of the
vessels spoken by them.
If the payment of pilotage fees il
not enforced by law, the desire tc
save a few dollars will no doubt in
duce some captains to trust entirely
to the tug towing or occasionally tc
sail vessel in over the bar without G
pilot.
II this state of affairs obtains, un
derwriters will advance the rates ol
insurance. Vessels refusing, the
services of pilots will forfeit their III
surance in case of disaster, while the
tugs towing a ship in without pilot
on board, will be liable to the amount
OF the value of the tug, in case o.
accident to the ship.
It is not reasonable to infer because
accidents happen to vessels occasion
ally when pilots are on board, that
vessel is just as safe without pilot.
Instances have occurred on the
Columbia bar when by the breaking
Of a hawser the tug was unable te
assist the vessel, and had it not beer
for the pilot aboard, disaster to the
vessel would have teen the SURE
result. Captains having charge o
vessels with valuable cargoes, wan
pilots to take the responsibility o
bringing their vessels into port.
The right way TO reduce pilotagt
expense on the river is to load ships
at Astoria.
Astoria is engaged now in building
a railroad that will, when completed
render unnecessary the tedious tow
age of ships to Portland for part o
their cargo, and the trouble and de
lay caused by sticking on the bars
with expense of lighterage to get off
then still further delay here waiting
for grain to complete their load.
IL Portland wishes 10 redIcA In,
expenses Of ships to this port, let i
hasten the railroad to Astoria; thel
big ships can be loaded without St
many expensive landings and re
landings of their cargo, and il ship
do not go up the rlyer they Will no
have river pilotage to pay, nor towag
either.
The simplest way is the best
The noted ex-Knight of Labor