The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-04
SHIP OWNER BUCKS
AGAINST PILOTS FEE
Test Case to Be Made Against
Virginia Pilotage Law.
FLUTTER OVER A PRETTY Girl
Mary Myrtle Joyner Tells of Her Cruel
Betrayal by c. P. Lewis, and on Her
Testimony He is Sent to the
Grand Jury for Trial.
(specia1 Dispatch to The Times.)

Especial Dispatch to The Times.)
NORFOLK. VA. Juy S.-James G.
Reake pilot of Norfolk, libelled thu
schooner Oakley c. Curtis, on June
18th in the United States District Court
for s1l25O.
The libellant declared that on April
%, 1902. he offered his services as a
pilot to pilot the Oakley C. Curtis from
Lamberts Point to sea. and that his
services were refused.
He declares that he is entitled to s1125o
for pilotage draft of twenty-five feet.
He sues in the Admiralty Court before
Judge Waddill.
The answer is filed by Eleazer W.
Clark, owner, who denies that he owes
Peake the sum demanded or any other
sum.
He admits all of the general state
ments about the schooner Curtis, but
denies the right of the pilot to charge
fees, ana denies the constitutionality and
justice of the law under which the local
pilots are acting, because Merrill C.
Hodgdon. the master of the schooner
is an experienced marine, and Is capable
of taking the schooner in and out of
the port of Norfolk, with winch ne Us
familiar.
TEST PILOTAGE LAW.
It is regarded as an important case
that will involve the whole subject OF
pilotage, and affect the statute and rules
under which the Virginia Pilots Asso-
cation issue licenses to masters Of
coasting vessels, and charge fees when
no such license is held by vessels enter
ing this port.
r. c. marshall appears for James g.
Peake; Hughes and Little for the IL
beied schooner
Distinguished admiralty lawyers of
New York are to be associated with
Hughes and Little, and it is said that
the Whole question of compulsory pilotage
is to be argued under the answer t.led
to-day.
SUPPORTED BY SHIPS OWNERS.
The action of Captain Iodgdon is sup
ported by owners of schooners, who nave
determined to make test case OIL the
Oakley c. Curtis. They deny the right
of The Virginia Pilots Association to IS
sue licenses to coasting vessels.
FLUTTER OVER a PRETTY GIRL.
All ewes were turned, some in wonder,
some in sympathy. all in admiration for
the pretty girl who came in the Ponce
Court this morning as witness. one
i; Mary Myrtle Joyner, who appears
against c. p. Lewis alias John Nelson
and John w. Nixon, known mere as d
Sunday-school worker, and IN RichhloEa
as a man who got up at dinner taole
to denounce the other guests Tor IeVeiiils
in the intoxication of mlnce pie, ana
charged with abduction and larceny.
Mary Myrtle is pretty. She appeared
10 be about fifteen years OF age, ana
was modest and ladylike in demeanor-
She gave her testimony lntelilgentiy
and directly, stating that she had gone
awav with Lewis under a promise OF
marriage. She went to Old Point eoin-
fort to meet Lewis, and had lived with
him as wife in Newbern, n q, ana IN
Philadelphia, whence they were brought
here since April 1lth. she declares t'ial
she would not have gone win nm GA
cept after a promise OF ma ID
on this testimony chiefly Judge Taylor
decided to send the case to the grand
i,,,,- for Indictment and Lewis was re-
turned TO prison.
JUSTICE TAYLOR'S BOND.
Jrstice Tazewell Taylor Quallned Tor
the office of police justice before Judge
Allan r. Hanckel, of the Corporation
Court, and gave a bond for SlO,uoo' win
" IT. II. Trice, of the real estate hrm
w H. Trice & Son, as surety.
New officers and officers reappointed
are qualifying as rapidly under the ne"
administration as they can find Mayor
everywhere by applicants for places,
obit.av on the police force His office
hours at present are occupied IN iecel'-
ing men who are applicants for ONCE.
or friends of those who are applicants.
Chief Martin J. Ryan and Assistant
Chief ]. s. Webher, of the Fire Depart
n,ent qualified for their respective olnces
this morning.
DISTURBANCE IN MILEAGE.
The State Board of Assessment, con-
sisting of Governor y. j. Montague ..
Morton Marye and Charles Moore Gains
here Yesterday from Richmond TO lhtes-
tigate an alleged discrepancy III ''ie
Mileage of the Norfolk Railway ana
1;sbt Companys trackage. They were
met here by Commissioner OF Revenue
" ". Dey, City Engineer w. 7 Brooke
aud late City Attorney w. II. Iaylor IN
consultations The result was that, Hlid-
ing some difference in the mileage as
ranorted to the Board OF Appraisers ana
The records, City Engineer Brooke was
asked 10 remeasure the tracks and re-
mort. That will be done on Saturday SO
that any difference, If any, VIII De au-
iusted for assessment.
COURT VACATION BEGINS.
Jndre Waddill, of the United States
district Court. will be here on the l4th
n eir for that week only. After that he
will adjourn court for the summer, not
70 be resumed till the fall term. There
win he no more session of the court
after the 18th till fall.
Mayor Riddick stated this morning
that the nomination of the new health
commissioner to succeed DR.. C. +. New
hill will not be made till the Counclls
meeting on Tuesday night There IS
great interest in this Office. because OF
its importance and because OF the salary.
BRUTON PARISH MIDDLE