Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-08
THE PILOTS ASSOCIATION AND
THE NORFOLK COAL TRADE.

| rSpe cial correspondence of the Alexandria
Gazette, Washington, July s, 1898
The Gazettes correspondent waited
upon Colonel Lamb, of Norfolk, who is
now here, day or two ago and asked
oim to give the facts concerning the
differences between the Pilots As
sociation of Norfolk and the Po-
oahontas Coal Company. He at
first said he preferred not to do
so, that he had devoted friends
III the Association, and that at best it
was only family quarrel, and that he
lid not care TO have any outsider know
anything about it. However, when
pressed, he said we might see the tele-
grams which were reelly public prop
-riy, as they concerned the chartering
OF vessels to load with Pocahontas coal
or the War Department. 1t seems
mat for bimself, and uoG as agent of
'astner, Curran and Bulitt. in order to
Increase the commerce of Norfolk and
X.eud the sale of Pocahontas coal he
q made au arrangement with The
Bureau OF Equipment TO charter them
vessels at the lowest possible freight.
In attempting to do this he had 10
report 10 that bureau the difficulties
10 his way i'll order 10 get freights as
low from Norfolk to points OF destna-
.on as were obtains BILE in Baltimore in
order that the Pocahonla5 coal could
compete with the Cumberland coal at
BALTIMORE, and one OF them was that
che masters Of vessels complained that
while coal vessels were free from coast
wise pilotage in going to and from Bal
'imore, if they went to or from
Norfolk, even without calling upon
me pilots, they were forced to pay
constructive pilotage, or in lieu thereof,
4 license of 10c per registered ton for
navigating their vessels during year.
10 prevent federal Legislation which
migut be injurious to the Pilot Associa-
ion of Virginia, Col. Lamb suggested
10 the association to waive constructive
pilotsge; that is, not 10 charge for SER
vc,s not rendered for all vessels char
cred to load coal at Lamuert'5 Point
and Newport News by the Bureau OF
Equipment. This was very handsome
y acceded to and has enabled num-
Der Of vessels to be chartered to load
Pocah onlas coal that could not other
wise have been obtained. The War
Department desiring to have some Po-
cahontas coal and knowing of the i'm
munty from pilots license OF the Navy
Department, requested Colonel Lamb
TO get the same privilege for vessels
chartered to load coal at the Virginia
ports by the War Department; and, in
pursuance of this, Colonel Lamb tele-
graphed on June 9, 1898, from New
York city, as follows:
Capt o. E Edwards, Pilot Associa-
ton, Norfolk, Virginia
"War Department want same ex
empton from license of vessels char
tered by them as navy has. Authorize
ma to promise it. Direct (answer) to
Washington. (Signed) VIM LAME"
And to which he received the follow
ing reply
"Col. VIM. Lamb, Shoreham Hotel,
Washington, d. e..
"My people will not consent to any
further concessions in piiotage.
(Signed) o f. EDWARDS"
10 which Uol. Lamb immedia ely re-
piled as follows;
dispatch received. Your people
are very unpatriotic. Hope decision
was not unanimous. Will not charter
vessels for army to go to Norfolk.
(Signed) VIM. LAME"
And Colonel Lamb says he has char
tered no vessels, and that Lambert's
Point has lost business by il; that he
was unwilling to discriminate between
the army and navy.