The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-19
PE1CE 10 THE PILOTS
The House Committee Decides Unsnimou'iy
Against the Pilot Bill.

The House Cammittee on Banks. Currency
and Commerce met at the Exchange Hotel
las, evening with Mr.. Chambers in the chalr'
20 take final action in regard TO the Compui-
sary pilotage bill. ~.
Captain oscar EDWARDS and Colonel Dick
Marshall. who have been looking after the
interests OF the pilots in this matter ever since
the bill had been introduced. felt very much
gratlhed when they learned that the COMMIT
tee had come 10 the conclusion 70 leave the
Virginia Pilot Association Just IN the position
which they are occupying al present.
Bir. Fentress. OK Portsmouth. submitted a
set Of resolutions passed by the Board or
Trade OF Portsmouth. protesting against the
passage of the bill. He added that be aid not
only speak tor the city OF Portsmouth. but
also for the whole Iidewater district. whose
residents were fully aware OF the good ser
vices rendered by the member OF the Nlr-
GINA Pilot Association. ana dld not desire 10
see a measure enacted by the General As
sembly which would greatly impair the ell
cheney Of that organization.
Mr.. Cooke. Of Norfolk, stated that his city
paid a very large part of tie amount due the
Virginia Pilot Association. and yet he YOU'D say
that the Chamber Ot Commerce ana al other
commercial bodies we're heartily IN favor of
having the Pilot Association supported IN us
present strength and efficiency. II the bill
should be reported favorably. 1t would De q
blow against the interests of the cities or
Portsmouth and Norfolk. for the reason that
the pilots also acted as quarantine oiicess.
Without them the health officer was aOsO-
lutely helpless IN regard 10 the enforcement
of the quarantine regulations.
In order TO substantiate his statement.
Alr. Cooke read a letter from Mr.. William
A. Thomb. health officer Of Norfolk, VINO
expressed ais qualification over the valuable
services rendered by the pilots with reference
10 the carrying out of the quarantine rules
and regulations. He sets forth that the
pilots are the responsible parties tor any
breach Of the quarantine laws. during MS
term Of office for four years he had
known only OF two instances where the quar-
antine laws had not been strictly carried out.
and IN one OF the instances the mistake had
been made by q young man who had only
shortly before passed through mis- apprentice
ship. The letter closed with the statement
that the pilots were the persons who pro-
tected the cities OF Norfolk and Portsmouth
nom epidemic diseases.
Mr.. ShackelfOrd, OF Orange, another mem
Der OF the committee. briefly gave his views
on the subject. lie stated that the pilots did
not propose to bring up their books at tho
suggestion of a lot of clamOrOus people, Du,
they were willing TO substantiate the state
ment which be was about % make ana let
n subcommittee Of the House Committee
their books. Ithad heen stated that the
sun OF Sl4O.000 was annually received by the
Pilot Association and divided among. lts
twenty-eight members, while II would be
shown from the books of the organization
that last years receipts amounted only 10
$50. 600. From this sum the current expenses
had TO be deducted aggregatlng about S50'-
000. a further deduction Of $4,000 had 70 g
made for interest on the plant, leaving the
sum of 445.JO0 as net receipts. Out
of this amount the salary of the twenty.eight
active pilots was paid. and also a sum Of .6tO
TO each one of Two superuumerary pilots. The
receipts for pilots fees from coastwise vessels
during the past year amounted 10 @2o.OOV' ana
If this sum was taken away, as It would Nv
the passage OF the bill. the services OF the
Virginia Pilot Association would be seriously
hampered with. go.
Mr.. Cooke then moved to report the bill
with the recommendation that II do not pass
and the motion was carried without q dis
senting vote. There were eleven members
present out Of the thirteen that form the
committee. Messrs. Dr. George steel and q.
L. Graves, Of Page county, were absent.