The Portland daily press., 1901-02-21

paid out for support Of the families of
Spanish war soldiers were tabled to be
acted upon later.
PORTLAND PILoTAGE.
Before the committee on commerce this
afternoon, there was u two hours hearing
on the bill In relation TO pllotage in
Portland harbor. This is the bill which
gives TO the Governor and Council the
duty of appointing the pilots and estsb-
fishes compulsory pilotage. Fred v.
Matthews, Esq, appeared in behalf OF the
bill. He argued that It was a measure
designed for the protection of the pilots.
A large delegation of the Portland
Board OF Trade was present and Hon,
Charles F. Libby, who represented them,
presented a copy Of the regulations
adopted by the board and read letters
from Pilots Martini Scott and Oliver
the only pilots handling foreign shipping
protesting against the bill. Mr.. Libby
argued that this matter should be left
with the Board OF Trade.
President Boothby of the Portland
Board of Trade described the organiza-
ton OF the Board. 1t inoludes In Its
mem bership many vessel owners, some OF
whom are here today to protest against
this bill.
Mr.. Fritz II. Jordan stated that hs
was acquainted with two Of the pilots
presumably In whose interests this bill
was drawn. They were men employed
by the foreign steamers and he thought
Nha nj bta
under the present law. AS TO compulsory
pilotage, tire Portland merchants wers op-
posed to 1t.
air. Mcclure OF the Thomson line, said
that ths steamship managers were op-
posed to the principal of this bill. 1t was
reasonable to bslieve that men living In
city would be the onss to select suit
able pilots. In the oitiss Of the Atlantic
ooAst this Is the rule. The English
stsarqe rs running into Portland employ
pilnts because 1t is necessary for them to
60 so under the rules Of the insurance
companies. MIR. Mcclure took up the bill
by sections and pointed out that under
1t there was no provision for reyoking
the license of pilot during his seven
yeara' term as long as he behaved him
self. The man might become color blined
or innrm, but his certificate could not
ma taken away. Neither was there any
Dr DIVISION In relation to the examination
/ Of the candidates for appointment The
law saams TO be directed against the
| foreign tonnage OF Portland, yet the for
efQu tonnage IL now the chief agency In
the expansion of the business OF the
port. Mr. Mcclure said he had letter
from Montreal predicting that In 20
years the ocean trade OF Portland WonIu
| he equal that of BoSGon,
Leroy l. Hight, Esq. ,srepresenting the
| Grand Trunk, said he had been ulreeteu
~ nnpear iu opposition to the bill by
| the general manager of the Grand Trunk,
The Grand Trunk opposed the Dill De-
cause It was not favored by the steam :
ship companies and the merenants s Oh
| Portland with whom be did business
This Ia one Of the few instances where
the Grand Trunk has asked favor OF
this State, but it asks that this legisia-
| tlon be- net passed and that tins Portland
board OF Trade be left with the power
| to make the regulations.
Can't Humphrey of Yarmouth, told OF
the efforts OF the Board OF Trade TO frame
suitable regulations. lie thought 1t safe
to allow the Board OF Trade 10 regulate
the matter and predicted that no Injustice
would be- done to any plot. Suitable reg
NATIONS would prevent discrimination
against the port by insurance companies
i Hon. W. W. Merrill spoKe in the same
line as the other remonstlsnfs.
THE SAVINGS BANK TAX
The COMMITTEES ON taxation reported
TO-DAY ourht not 20 pass on the bills to
increase the tax upon the savings banks
and trust companies.