The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-26
THE FRYE PILOT BILL
RICHMOND cHAuBER OF COMMERCE
nreasure-Wbat Senators Daniel
and Barbour Say.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. April 25.-[Special. /
Senator Barbour to-day presented memorial
from the Richmond Chamber OF Commerce
embracing resolutions adopted by that body
earnestly indorsing the Frye BILL which pro-
poses 10 amend the present pilot laws so AS
to place sa ling vessels engaged in the coast
wise trade upon the same advantageous foot
ing as vessels engaged in the same service pro-
PEELED in whole or in part by steam. The
chamber of commerce commends this bill %
the support OF the Virginia senators and
representatives and urges them to lend their
ad TO its passage, adding that it is dictated
mo. only by considerations of justice and
fair dealing. but will promote the commerce
and prosperity of our State" The resolutions
also invoke the aid and support Of comme1-
cia bodies of sister cities and oil other orgaL-
izations IN the State whose object IS 70 foster
trade and build up our commercial Interests.
in behalf Of this measure. IL is further assert
ed that the subject of pilot regulations is dis
tinctly matter of Federal jurisdiction. as Il
relates almost solely 70 interstate commerce.
HISTORY OF PILOT LEGISLATION.
The document of the Richmond Chamber
Of Commerce then review. the history 0i
Congress committed the subject 20 the several
States until Congress should. by appropriate
legislation. arrange a national system OF laws
governing the matter. Under this temporary
jurisdiction the States have passed laws with
reference TO the licensing Of pilots and fees
for their services. that under the
Virginia statute the Pilot Association OK the
State has perfect monopoly; 10 one can be
come a pilot without their consent nor can
any one outside OF their order perform the
duties or receive the pay; the fees for service
are fixed by law and are amply remuueratlNe'
but in addition 70 the fees tor service actually
rendered the law allows the pilots 10 charge
whether the service is rendered or not, owners
OF sailing vessels are compelled to pay. pilot
fees for each trip made into OF out OF VIZ
glnia ports. though no pilot places his foot
upon the vessels deck. unless TO escape the
onerous burden the vessel master obtains
q license from the Pilots Association; not one
dollar of the thousands thus collected for
compulsory fees on license tax goes into the
public treasury, but the whole finds It's way
into the pockets of private individuals. Inc
Federal Government hy law has exempted
steam vessels from this tax. and no harm mas
been done thereby though the vessels thus
exempted carry the larger proportion oi
freight and nearly all the passengers.
ADVANTAGE OF TBE LEGIsLATIoN.
The memorial in conclusion states that in
Ilt passage OF llt Iltilil4li- bAli NO AbtA tAtr
all persons interested IN cheapening freight
rates and encouraging our commerce have
concern. The memorial further states that
the object is to free the sailing vessels from
compulsory fees as to those vessels that are
looked 10 for the cheapest freight rates; that
every sailing vessel induced to visit our ports
enlarges our commerce and increases
competition for our shipments, thus
reducing tO q minimum the cost of freight
rates. "Our city, concludes the memorial.
has felt the bad effect of this iniqultous sys-
tenn upon our commerce. and We believe lis
influence hes been alike injurious TO our SIS
ter cities. so we ask them 10 unite with Rich
mond in procuring the passage OF the pend
ing bill.
WHAT OUR SENATOR'S SAY.
Senator Barbour was seen by THE TINES
correspondent in regard 10 the Frye Pilot bill
lie said his inclination had been 10 vote for the
bill. as. upon principle. he favored removing
all possible restrictions from commerce
However, he added there might be condi-
tions which would render such a monopoly
as the Pilots ASSOCIATION beneficial. He had
not thoroughly examined the question, but.
of course would 80 before voting upon It.
Senator Daniel said his time hal been so
much occupied that he had not examined the
subject carefully. Senator Barbour had an
impression that the bill would pass the Senate
without opposition but in this be is probably
mistaken. as the Senators from Maryland,
North aud South Carolina. Georgia, Florida,
Alabama. Mississippi and perhaps IexGs
seems inclined to support the Frye bill.