The San Francisco call., 1897-01-01
RATES
FOR PILOTAGE
A Reform Will Be Agitated
in the Next Legis-
lature.
Problems in Navigation Dis.
cussed by the Committee
on Commerce.
A Clause to Exempt Steam Craft
With Special Pilots From
General Pi.o:age.

An important and enthusiastic meeting
of the committee on commerce was held
Yesterday afternoon in the rooms OF the
Cham Der of Commerce, the vice president,
Hugh Craig, presiding.
The secretary, Charles E. Naylor, gave
an extended report of the work OF the
officers during the past eight months,
which has been entirely educational and
preparatory. The treasurer. George E.
Plummer, rendered financial statement
showing large sum of ready cash IN the
treasury and no liabilities to meet.
The main business of the meeting was
the consideration of proposed legislation
in the interest of ocean shipping. A re-
port on the puotage question by sub
committee was read and the following
recommendations were referred to special
legislative committee with instructions to
prepare suitable bills for presentation to
the Legislature:
First-Reducing the maximum rate of pilot
age from $5 to So per foot draught.
Second-The number of general pilots to be
reduced to maximum of ten.
Third-The masters of all tug boats regularly
cruising the waters of this bay and the ap-
proaches thereto the masters OF all steamers
and steam craft regularly trading with this
port, and the masters OF all American sailing
vessel S regularly traQ1DR Win port, TO De
examined by the Pilot Commissioners and
licensed as special pilots.
Fourth-Any sailing vessel or other craft in
tow of tug having as master licensed special
pilot, to be exempt from all pilot fees unless
general pilot be actually employed.
Fifth-Steam craft under the comm and Of
master licensed as special pilot to be exempt
from all pilot fees, unless general pilot be
actually employed.
Sixth-Any sailing vessel under the CON-
mand Of q master licensed as special pilot 10
IA Mt from all Dilnt fees. unless q
pilot be actually employed
Seventh-Every master examined by the
Pilot Commissioners and granted q special
license to pay q fee of $40.
Eighth-A special pilot license granted to
the master OF any tug, steamer or sailing yes
sci shall entitle The holder to act as pilot for
only; masters duly licensed to act as special
pilots for one vessel may, however, have their
license transferred to act for another vessel
upon the payment of a fee OF 81.
Min = A provision making 1t a misde-
meanor, with proper penalty, for pilots to
make any discrimination in the collection of
pilot fees, or to pay any rebates except such
as are expressly provided for by law.
Tenth-A provision requiring the Pilot Com
missioners to make each year to the Governor
OF the State full report OF all the pilotage
collected, with other necessary statistics.
After the pilotage question was dis
posed of the meeting adopted resolu-
ton asking the Legislature to submit to
the electors of the State constitutional
amendment removing the State aud local
tax from ocean-going ships, and directed
that petition be circulated for signatures
of business houses faYoring such meas
ure.
A resolution was also adopted favoring
the repeal of State quarantine laws for
the reason that the Federal Government
has complete inspection system at this
port, and provides a station with every
safeguard against the invasion of infec-
tious diseases.
The legislative committee will prepare
bills and make vigorous effort to have
them passed by the Legislature, a major
1ty of the members of which they feel
sure will not be influenced by the siIvery
arg uments generally presented by the
opposition to pilotage reform legislation.