New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-16
MANY SHIPS HELD BACK.
Talk of Protest against Moore's
Hurricane Prediction.

Marine insurance companies. it was learned
yesterday, have refused a great many risks
during the last few days because of the hurri-
cane predictions issued by Weather Forecaster
Moore. Prominent insurance brokers who make
speciality of placing marine risks told Trib-
une reporter yesterday that they experienced
the greatest difficulty, since the hurricane was
nrst predicted, in getting companies to issue
policies on any vessels which are likely to sail
within it's possible path. In many cases. they
say. it impossible to get any company to
assume the risk
An unconfirmed report came to The Tribune
once yesterday that movement had been
started the New-York Maritime Exchange
to draft petition to President Roosevelt ask
ing for the removal of Weather Forecaster
Moore, on the ground that his hurricane pre-
dlctions have tied up shipping all along the
coast and caused a serious loss to maritime in
terests. Members of the Maritime Exchange
yesterday declared this report was without
foundation. Many representative members were
seen on the floor of the exchange, and not one Of
them could be found who felt disposed to criti-
else Mr.. Moore because of his hurricane warn
mgs. The consensus of opinion among the mari
tlme men, in fact, seemed to be that the wea her
1orecaster's action, in view of the possibilities
OF hurricane, was perfectly justifable
captain c. B. Parsons. president of the Mari
time Exchange, said: ''PersonaIly I never for a
moment thought that the hurricane would be
headed this way, and I understand that many
sealarlng men have held my views on the sub
Ject' This does not necessarily mean however
tnat we intend to reflect upon Mr. Moore's
judgment Undoubtedly he had better facilities
Tor determining what the path of the hurricane
was likely to be than had we. In my official
or personal capacity 1 have heard no criticism
OF Mr.. Moore regarding this hurricane in mari
time circles. We hold it impossible for any man
10 know what the elements are going do
Whether or not he is employed by the govern
nent. On the exchange here we always look
upon the fatlings of the Weather Bureau with
considerable leniency''
captain Parsons said he not prepared to
say to just what extent shipping had been tied
up by the hurricane prediction, but he cited
some cases that had come within his own OBJ
serVation showing that owners and captains
nave seriously regarded the warning.
Alexander r. Smith, superintendent of the
Maritime Exchange, said that he would not be
surprised to learn that petition had been
started for the removal of Mr.. Moore, although
no such movement had come under his notice
MI Smith fastened to explain however. that
he considered Mr.. Moore one Of the best weather
prophets that has ever filed the office. There
are always, however, he said many people
who feel sore on the weather man, whoever may
be filling that unthankful Office, and some of
these may have started movement for Mr.
Moores removal"
At the Ward Line yesterday it admitted
that the Weather Bureaus hurricane prediction
had had some influence on the companys ship
ping. At the Office of the Cunard Line it was
said that hurricane no hurricane, the
as the modern ocean liner is built to weather
any storm.