Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-14
TILT In THE CHAMBER.
Captain Dravo Wants Section 4 of the
River and HarbOr Bill
ENDORSED BY THE DIRECTORS.
John h. Ricketson objects and Says River
men Are Selfish.
NUMBER OF NEW MEMBERS ELECTED

The recent banquet of the Chamber of
Commerce has infused more spirit the
meetings of the board of directors, and yes
terday's session was characterized by an
unusual degree of liveliness, including q
little breeze between Mr. Ricketson and
Captains bravo and Bachelor.
When Chairman Kelly called for new
business Captain bravo presented resolu-
tion which he asked the Chamber to adopt.
In explanation he said that at the last
session OF Congress q river and harbor
bill had been adopted. Section of this
bill specified that in case of an obstruction
in the rivers any one might, through their
own lawyer, enter suit in any of the United
States courts and thus speedy action could
be obtained without waiting. as heretofore,
for the United States District Attorney.
When this bill reached the Senate section
was stricken ont and the measure is now
before a conference committee. Captain
Dravo's resolution was an Endorsement of
section BY the Chamber and requesting
Pennsylvania Senators and Congressmen
to do all in their power to have it replaced
as the matter was of great importance to
riyermen.
Causiic Criticism of Rivermen.
Mr.. John H. Ricketson objected strongly
to the consideration of any such
resolution. The speaker said that
the rivermen respected no persons
rights but their own. The section referred
10 would give the rivermen entirely too
much power. All they would have to do
in case that was adopted was to get some
shyster lawyer and 60 before an alderman
and compel bridge company to tear down
spans of its bridge, or some manufacturer to
cut away so feet of his embankment. The
measure was entirely too radical and the
Chamber should not consider it. Mr.. Jack
son Joined Mr.. Ricketson in his objection to
the consideration of the resolution.
Captain bravo wanted chance to an
swer Mr.. Ricketson, but Chairman Kelly
held that it would require two-thirds vote
of the Chamber for Mr.. bravo to be heard.
Captain Bachelor said that it was unfair
for the Chair not to give Captain bravo a
chance to be heard. Mr. Ricketson had
been allowed to make red hot speech in
favor of the manufacturers and apply to the
rivermen such epithets as shysters. The
speaker said that it was plain to every one
that the river banks had been encroached
upon.
Mr. Ricketson hastened to inform Cap
tain Bachelor that he had misunderstood
him and that he did not call rivermen
shysters
Captain bravo explained that the measure
would not hurt any present bridge or slack
water company, but was for any continued
obstruction in the river.
Referred the Resolution to a Committee.
Chairman Kelly ruled that as there were
two objections to considering the resolution
it would have to 60 to committee, and he
therefore referred the resolution 10 the
Committee on Rivers and Harbors
Colonel 7. P. Roberts, of the special
committee on the building up of the
Chamber, reported in favor Of a committee
on membership and that instead of hiring
anybody to 60 out and secure members, that
the members of the Chamber 60 to work and
secure names. He thought that they should
have a statistical library, where business men
could come for information. He also
suggested that quarterly or monthly meet
incs be held at which the members of the
Chamber be invited to attend and questions
of national importance discussed This
paper was adopted.
A communication from the New York
Worlds Fair Commission, asking the
Chamber to take action on the postpone
ment of the opening of the Worlds Fair
from October IL to October p, was referred
to the Worlds Fair Committee.
w. P. DeArmitt was elected member of
the board to fiji the vacancy caused by the
death of B. L. Wood. The following were
elected members of the Chamber: James
Collard, L. d. DeWolf, W. p. Potter, A.
NJ. Jenkinson, A. H. Wilson, Joseph T.
Brown, John G. Kohne, j. G. Lappe &
Son, Eisner & Phillips.