Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-11
LOW BRIDGES MUSTG0
Riyermen Assert Their Rights and
Want No DISTRACTIONS.
COMMITTEES TO GO TO WASHINGTON
Pittsburg Delegates to the National Con-
vention Home.
THEY WANT MANY IMPROVEMENTS

| Oaptaln u. A. HENDERSON, local aseuI Vi
the Cincinnati Packet line, and Addison
Lysle, Secretary of the National Board oi
Steam Navigators, returned yesterday from
New York, where the steamship and steam
boatmen held their convention during the
past few days.
Captain Henderson stated that several
important measures bearing on the steam
boat trade of this section were introduced
and adopted BY the convention. "The
convention was largely attended" said
Captain Henderson, "and we secured the
appointment of several committees to look
after the steamboat interests of this section,
which will be very beneficial to both the
tow boat and packet boat owners" One
committee, upon which John A. Wood was
appointed, is to look after the low bridges
that prevent navigation on navigable
! streams.
"a crusade against low bridges will be
inaugurated in the near future" said the
Captain, "and, with the backing of the
National Board behind the committee, I
think, can secure the necessary legislation
to prevent the building of bridges so low as
to interfere with navigation, and to require
the low structures of the present to be ele-
waited.
TO LOOK AFTER Low BRIDGES.
"Captain Wood was placed on the COM
mittee on account of his long connection
with river Improvements here, and he will
likely call the attention of the committee to
the low bridges on the Allegheny river, of
which there are several.
"Another matter of great interest to boat
owners here was the appointment OF COM
mittee to secure some notifications in the
deckhand's lien law. AS it stands now,
one of these negroes who load the packet
boats can 60 to the Marshal's Office and have
that official seize the boat on a moments
notice, which causes a loss of considerable
money through detention, just to satisfy
one OF these roustabouts who has a small
claim against the boat for wages. I believe
that this eommitte can secure the desired
change. The same laws on this question
now apply to both packet and tow boats,
aud both are affected alike.
''There was one matter brought up in the
convention which caused much discussion.
An Eastern steamship owner moved that
committee be appointed to have some sec
tions of the laws governing safety appli-
ances on steamships repealed. From what
understood" :" continued Captain Hender-
son, ''the inventors of every new appliance
for steamships have the laws amended in
such that makes it compulsory for every
boat owner to equip his boat or ship
with every new device which
enters the market, which puts them to
much useless expense. 1t was finally decided
after long debate, that q committee be ap-
pointed to petition Congress to appoint a
commission or committee from the National
Board to pass upon the practicability of
safety appliances that are introduced, thus
saving owners of steam vessels the unneces-
sary expenditure of money on devices which
are perfectly worthless. This movement
was opposed by many who have at present
these things in use. which the law requires
every craft to be provided with. It was de-
clded unanimously, with the exception of
few interested dissenters, that the committee
should be appointed.
UNIFORM FLASHLIGHTS WANTED.
The question of adopting uniform elec-
trio fashIight to be used by sea vessels to
warn the other ocean greyhounds while en-
veloped In fogs to steer clear, was then
taken up. The discussion drifted down as
to the best method OF running steamboats, in
fogs on inland streams. No one present has
yet discovered a light which could penetrate
the fogs the boats on the Ohio and Missis-
sippi have to contend with. II was
in hopes" said Captain Henderson, 'that
someone would suggest means whereby the
great delays, due from fogs, might be
obviate6. but no one in the convention
would suggest any feasible plan. The per-
son who will manufacture light to pene-
trate one of the Ohio river fogs during this
season of the year will confer lasting favor
on steamboat owners of this section.
"We have discussed the matter for years,
but still the desired end has not been
attained. Our boats are equipped with the
strongest power arc lights imaginable, but
they seem to shed no more light than one
solitary candle while shrouded in the
mist"
'Other matters of lesser importance were
introduced in the convention and a general
discussion followed. From what the West
ern delegation said their business is as
fourishing as could be desired; aside from
the heavy railroad competition which at
times threatens the annihilation OF the
trade. They report they are doing we'll,
and the river business is gaining in favor
with the travelling public.
We reported the business here as good as
could be desired, save occasional depres-
sion in coal shipping. The matter
of great moment to Pittsburg rivermen is
the question of low bridges, which we are
all against.
1.-THE question Of free navigation on the
Monongahela was not introduced at this
session, as it had been brought up the pre-
vious year, when a committee was appoint
ed. 1t has, at least, been successful in do
ing some good, as the recent action of Con-
gress in condemning Lock No. will show.
I think this is starter" he said in conclu-
sion, ''and we may yet live to see this great
waterway free"
MA1NR,S greeting To TeYas-UTn live