The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-02
PILOTS AND PrLorAGE-

Cap. Frank Morley was recently turned
over 20 the custody OF the sheriff % JET
fersou county because as was alleged. he
had piIotes vessel from the sea to Port
Toxnsend without . local pilots license.
Capt Morley was subsequently discharged
by TIE court on the ground that there was
no statute covering the case and ne has
written a letter 81 considerable length 70
the Post-rnteiligencer setting forth his
qualifications as a pilot for the coast. and
generally crftfc4sing the treatment 70
which he was subjected for assuming 10
take the responsibility % bringing q ship
I'D the straits TO a safe anchorage In port
II an injustice has been done the captain
he will no doubt see 10 10 that he gets sat
isfsction through the courts The case
Is interesting TO the general public only
for the reason that IL serves 10 remind
people Of the nonsenEical laws which ex-
ist IN the United States In relation 70
this particular branch of offacisl maritime
supervision.
II there are any rules and regulations
in connection with the handling N deep
sea vessels that have become obeolese,
and therefore obnoxious IL Is In connec-
ton with pilotags. The government has
been trying slowly TO remove a great
many OF the restrictions which have ham,
pnred commercefn our great ports. but thus
far the old rules OF pilotage have seemed
10 BE- able 10 Withstand the attacks OF
those WHO would make the charges
against incoming and outgoing vessels as
light as possible.
The pilot is an old institution and
good one bat time, education and expert
ence have made him less essential 10 COM
nnerce than he once was. The old rule
still holds. however. and there are few
vessels which are not subjected to the tax
OF pIlotage or half pilotage, when they
ought TO be allowed 10 piow the seas
without paying either. Pilot dues are. In
a measure. a relic like a good many OF
the old moribund port charges originated
centuries ago. and which commercial ma
lions are trying 10 get rid OF. In course
OF time they will be gotten rid OF, and
shipping viii be- better and more profit
able for II.
There are many great ships and steam
ers entering the port of New York every
week which have to take pilots when there
are on board navigators even more compe-
tent 20 bring vessels up TO anchorage than
are the pilots themselves. IL Is a fictitious
necessity which compels the employment
OF these shore mariners. and IL they are
not required It Is unfair to the shipping
interests that the engagement OF their
services should be enforced by law.
Pilots there must be. Charter parties
and insurance contracts ofrentimes spe-
cfncaTly take them into consideration.
Hundreds OF vessels require them in order
10 make port. But the rights, privileges
and Importance OF the pilot have been
greatly exaggerated In later years. and
forced upon ship against the Will Of the
master.
The only practical attempts made in re-
cent years TO revive American shipping
have been In the direction OF removing all
the small dues and charges which through
custom bad grown UP to hamper the hand
ling OF American ships In home and for
eign ports. II this revival is 10 be brought
about. vexatious tolls originating in the
last century must be done away with.
Needless taxatlons must be rooted out. and
the vessel allowed to ply her course with
as few burdens as possible consistent with
a reasonable governmental supervision.
Immunity from the operations Of moss
covered pilotage laws is about as much to
DO desired as anything else.