Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-10-07
ouR mARurrmEr INTERESTS.

OUR MARITIME INTERESTS.
as she Recent Annual
Meeting or the Vessel Owners and
Captains, National Association-A
Successful Year-Reforms Accom-
plished-Work Yet to be Done.
At the recent annual meeting of the YES
sci Owners and Captains National associa-
ton in Boston much of interest and import
ance to vessel owners was transacted. The
president, ]. A. Van Brunt, in opening the
meeting congratulated the association on the
successful year experienced by navigation
interests and the favorable outlook for the
year ensuing. The associations finances
were reported as in very favorable state.
The counsel of the association, 8. M.
Thomas, Boston; q. D. Hotchkiss, New
York, and Fl. r. Edmunds, Philadelphia,
submitted interesting reports in which were
mentioned the sentiments of important guess
lions and decisions, the most important of
which was q recent decision rendered by
Judge Morris in the United States Dis
trict court at Baltimore in case brought
against the Georgia Greek Goal and Iron
company by masters of vessels who held
chart or parties which provided that their
vessels be loaded in turn. The Coal conn.,
pany had coaler steamers In preference
to the sailing vessels, ignoring their claim to
taking their turn in loading, on the ground
that 1t was the custom of the port to load
steamers in advance of sailing vessels. The
decision of the court was that there was no
such custom and if there were, sush custom
would not prevail against the written con-
were to be loaded in turn they were to be
loaded as they arrived, whether steam or
sailing vessels. This decision is of great inn
portance, under it the same rule would
hold as to unloading vessels in turn, whether
steam or sail.
The board of commissioners submitted a
vigorous report, In whi0h was set forth the
benefits which have been secured by the
association. The substance of the report
follows:
"The bills of lading of the association for
coal have been in general use during the
year, though efforts have been made in Phila
delphia, on the part of shippers of GOAL, to
force into use the old form of bill of lading,
which provides for 100 tons per day for dis
charging, the vessel paying the stevedore.
Previous to the organization of this associa-
ton, vessels carrying cargees at rates of
freight so per cent. less than the average rate
received since. Vessels were obliged to pay
20 to rs cents per ton out of their freight for
dischargipg coal. They were liable for any
accidents that might happen to stevedores
while disohsrgiDg their vessels. There was
no established rule in regard to discharging
In turn. Consiguees were obliged to receive
but 100 tons per day and In many ways sail
ing vessels had no rights that steamer or
consigRee were bound to respect.
Since the formation of this association and
through it's efforts a different order of things
has prevailed. Vessels have received higher
rates of freight. Consiguees now pay for
dischsrging cargoes Of coal, which, in the
opinion of many, has been clear gain, or 30
much added to the freight money. Consig-
nees now receive $50 tons per day, thereby
reducing lay days one third, and vessels are
now unloaded In turn as they arrive, and in
this respect are on an equality with steam
ers. Counsel are now aft orded, free of cost
for the celleotion of claims arriving under
the association bills of lading. Unless the
association is maintained 1t is believed that
every one Of those advantages will in turn be
lost.
While great deal has been accomplished,
the work of the association Is by no means
finished. There are other abuses to be re-
moved as well as other advantages to be se-
cured, and these can only be accomplished
by an organization suoh as we already have.
The practice of towing barges on long haw-
sers is a threatening evil and a menace to the
safety of vessel property, and immediate &C
ton should be taken toward abating this
evil It is unnecessary to comment on the
injustice of the existing pilotage laws. En-
ergetic action should be taken before the
incoming congress for the correction of this
abuse, and 1t is believed that early and Wig
orous action taken by an association, such
as this, firmly united, would result in
wiping 1t out. The pilots are thoroughly
organised and backed up by q large
amount of money, and the only way to cope
with them successfully is to meet organiza-
ton with organization, and to support such
organization with our sympathy and with our
funds. Our association has overcome every
abuse II has attacked, and some of them
were strongly rooted and of many years
standing. 1t is now face to face with the
greatest abuse ever imposed upon vessel
property, and We are now to say whether we
will yield the fight and be content ever after
to pay the tribute money imposed upon us,
and we believe even this can and will be re-
moved If we stand together as an organiza-
ton and support it with our sympathy and
with our means."
The following officers were elected: Presi-
dent, J. A. Van Brunt, New York; vice pres
identr, Frank Harrington, Boston, j. s..
Winslow, Portland; secretary, F. P. Litch-
field, New York; treasurer, j. II. Cox. Conn
mittees were appointed to consider ways and
means to correct the abuses of towing long
lines of barges and compulsory pilotsge.
Judging from the character of the meeting,
the association Is of much Importance to yes
sci owners and captains employed In the
coasting trade.