The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-01
THE PILOTAGE BILL.
E.ptain WATSON Explains the
Merits of His Measure.
rrrs ARE QUITE REASONABLE.
.;.,ers Prefer a Certain Standard OF
charges VIII BE Re-
duced by Safety.

uo r.ntain A. WATSON, father of the pilot
. =. tiIl now pending in the lower house of
Z ~ zsss legislature, was seen yesterday BY a
|, - s,sser,ative of the PosT-ISrEILrGEscER
81 explained the necessity of having
ho,z IrspDarIy licensed and competent pilots
.ug1 Il Puget sound.
= - eThe bill recently introduced" said he
o.ns &. now IN the hands of a committee. and
g Il ssr hetng revised IN some respects will be
eroyahly reported on next Wednesday.
u :. 4 nrorides for a commission of three
JuSs I.<nerenced seamen TO be appointed by
aholl a governor to serve during his pleasure
Inc n I'M commission will examine all appli-
sn,s for the position of pilot and issue
'fEnI Xslet's license TO all American applicants
~ land competent, upon payment of fee
4fN Before receiving license, however,
=. rs ssilots must be familiar with the waters
Ied winds of Puget sound and must pass a
ia examination as TO their fitness for
ais responsible position.
arnder the operations or this bill mas
~, ,x Of American vessels who prefer doing
I ~ heir own plotting can take out a license
3 "a save pilotage fees. The fees shall not
~ krceed ST per foot draught from Cape Flat
.sr-r Ia the point of destination This Is
rreralIy regarded by ship owners as very
:. Iszsonable, considering the dangers that
~ -. hover around the rough and stormy points
WI b bsar Flattery and the distance from that
eunf to the cities of Seattle and Tacoma.
Whittier most of the Sound vessels are des-
!, lined.
nishtI ayicteria has a pilotage law and the
nalk I1asges are 81 per foot draught for taking
a pesels only about one-third the distance
Ina; Puget sound pilots will have TO make
MG&g e per foot draught San Francisco
c. r5arges nearly much for only a six
Ar .r,ie trip. The fact is that pilotage fees,
Instead of being tax upon shippers, is
e. 16XYief TO them. and lessons their burdens
aTs61ls reducing their insurance. and the
/anounts saved from this reduction more
I II f|fan offset the pilotage fees.
sanrz THE government compels all steam yes
1r.s to carry two pilots, but sailing vessels
g. |ss not required to carry any. Under
n writer's, however, viii not insure vessels
HAT do not carry pilots, where they can be
&o5tained
LEI If this bill becomes a law pilot boat
8saI be on hand at the entrance of the
1feand with competent pilots ready TO steer
4sessels safely through the straits TO all
zpints of destination. 1t will bring good
Iyiois here and viii be the means of saving
! IS great deal of property from destruction.
sstka1 The mill companies are offering the
1only opposition to the pilotage fees. but
Ihey should not complain for they will be
bfnehted by the operations of the DILL and
Mil save hundreds of dollars in insurance
lsheFe they only have TO expend s. for
!; lplos's license, for they can have their own
plots The bill was framed by sea-faring
nen who understand the wants of this
setion, and if the advantages claimed for
are secured, all opposition TO paying
Blloage will speedily be withdrawn and
tis new law viii be appreciated and wei