The San Francisco call., 1896-03-06

An examination Oh this statement OF the
Pilot Commissioners reveals some striking
facts. First there is a remarkable Shrnkage in
the amount of pilotage collected since 1882.
Between the amount collected i'll 1882 and the
amount collected in 1887 there is difference
of $S1 900. This difference is far too great 10
account for upon the theory of q shrinkage in
commerce.; and since there has been no reduc-
tion in pilot fees, it is only reasonable to con-
clude that the system of discrimination in the
collection of pilotage had been more widely
extended. By such methods the pilots sought
to maintain their monopoly. Alter 1887 the
amount of pilotage collected begins to increase
and to betray tendency to return to its former
proportions.
The yearly average of the gross pilotage col
lected for the eleven years given in this state
ment is $145, 1873. The yearly average of the
net pilotage is $79,171 leaving the enormous
difference of 500, ,7Os for operating expenses
for each year. 1t does not mitigate this state
mens to that Of this has hs been
turned. II the pilot charges are SO high that
the pilots voluntarily return some of the
money collected, the rates should be reduced
by law. It should not be left to handful of
men to levy toll upon vessels passing the
Golden Gate or to remit that toll ct their own
sweet will and for their own profit. This is not
more, this S66, ,7Os does not include the whole
OF the subsidy in the form Of rebate which the
pilots pay.
But taking the figures of the Pilot Commits
sioners themselves and accepting as true that
there is merely yearly average of $79, III,
divided among the twenty pilots, the pilots
have each received, according to the above
statement, the sum of 1929 SO for each month
OF the eleven years covered. After deoucting
the enormous rebates and Determinations and
extravagant allowances for expenses, the
pilots stili according to their own statement,
pocket a clean little income of 1929 SS per
month. When it is considered that the highest
wages paid TO the master of q coasting vessel
is $125 per month and that there are twenty
pilots to do the work which ten can easily do,
the compensation is seen to be out of all pro-
portion to the services rendered.
In this connection it may be said parentheti-
cally that there is practical object lesson of
the overcompenSation of pilots in the fact
that pilots sell their commissions at from
$4,000 to $4,000 apiece. Whenever, for any
reason, pilot wishes to retire from the SER
vice, he 10 able, by the aid OF little political
diplomacy, to name his own successor and for
so doing he invariably charges from $4,000 to
$4,000 by way of compensa ton.
Whether the whole of the amount remains
in the pocket of the retiring pilot or some of it
finds its way into the pockets of persons sup
posed to have influence over the appointment
of pilots is not material; the fact that the
money is paid shows that the returns from
pilotage are considered to be SO much in ex-
cess OF the services rendered as to give the
position of pilot market value of pretty
considerable amo unit.
As compared with these extravagant figures
your subcommittee has made an estimate of