The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-23
A STEP FORWARD.

In an editorial last Saturday under
the above heading the Charlotte New
comments upon the movement to build
a railroad from this city to Southport
and establish a coaling station there
the plan contemplating an
into the Tennessee coal fields Of the
railroad now reaching from Whining
ton to the town of Rutherfordton, stu
ated in the foothills Of the Blue Ridge.
go miles west of our city. The News
says of the first mentioned part of this
scheme:
Southport has long been regarded as
a splendid location for the coal export
business. 1t has deep water, Is Dut w
mi. es from the bar and ships coming
in to load coal cargoes or for bunker sup
ply will not find il necessary to pay
piiotage fees, a matter that
has always operated against Whining
ton as a port of entry. 1t is a long step
forward"
The last expression OF the legislative
will on the question of pilotage in the
Cape Fear is TO be found in chapter 463
of the acts of 1901. This allows coast
wise vessels" exemption from pay
iH7 PAAOAo5S AINS AA N'NA- NAP
on payment of one inward and out
ward trip fee. They can then pay for
an annual license at SO much per ton.
This does not relieve vessels running
cOatwise under United States license"
or foreign vessels, of payment of COM
pulsory Dilotage fees.
This question of compulsory pilotage
in the Cape Fea river has caused
much contention in the last few years.
There have been several efforts made 20
do away with the strict compulsory
pilotage system, but so far they
have prevailed only to the extent Of
the act of legislature above referred to.
This long talked of plan to put the
Cape Fear in direct railway communi-
cation with the coal fields of the west
and to establish a coaling station on its
waters seems now about to be consum-
mated. When this is done the question
of pilOtage will be an important one,
and will come to the front again. The
question will be, should the existing
law regarding this matter continue in
force or should more latitude in this
respect be given vessels entering our
ports.
While the pilots of the Cape Fear
should be protected in all their rights,
there should be no curse taken which
would in any "a hinder this step for
ward in making a success of his
scheme of so much Importance to our
section. The Cape Fear pilots, those
brave, hardy men who dare so much
and face SO many dangers, should not
be deprived of a single right, but if
the present pilotage laws would work a
hinderance to the success of his great
development of our industries, no one
should object to a modification of the
law necessary for the lettering of the
conditions tending to make ours one of
the leading ports of the South Ameri-
can coast.
This new railroad scheme is the
most important that could be devised
Tor bringing our port into prominence
and multiplying it's advantages as j
port Of entry.
With this plan carried out. Whining
tons foreign trade would be greatly
enlarged. Her exports in articles other
than coal would be greatly increased.
With a little enterprise and energy ex-
ercised we could make this the port of
export and entry between a large sec
ton of the central west and the West
Indies and South American countries.
This new scheme will truly be a great
thing for Wilmington If proper steps
are taken to secure the legitimate re-
suits