The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-13
PIL0TACE
Regular Meeting of
the Chamber of
Commerce
TALKED
Compulsory PiIotaGe Sail to be
Detrimental to the Port of Will
minstOn Movement for a RefOr-
matOry for White Children En-
dorsed The Fowler Currency
Measure Under Confederation.

The regular monthly meeting OF the
chamber Of was held yester-
day at $3.50 p. m. at the rooms of the
chamber, No. 10 Princess street. Pres
ident James H. Chadbourn presided
and Secretary James Kyle was at his
post.
After the minutes had been read and
approved, reports from committees
We're called for.
President ~Chadbourn, for the execu-
tive committee, reported that the refer
ence Of the matter TO that committee
Of inviting the State Bankers Associa-
ton TO hold its annual meeting had re-
suited in the extension Of the invita-
ton and its acceptance by the bankers.
He said they would probably hold their
annua convention here in July and
that bankers will be here from all over
the state. He remarked that this would
no doubt be good for our city.
President ChadbOurn, also reported
that the executive committee, during
the past month, has held several regu-
lar and special meetings and transact
ed considerable business in the inter-
est of the chamber. He also reported
that the chambers tariff. board, of
which Mr.. j. Allen Taylor is chairman,
had sent Mr.. James Kyle, the secre-
tary, as a delegate to the meeting Of
representatives or the various cham
berS and commercial bodies OF the diff
ferent cities of the state, held 1T
Greensboro to consider the matter of
better freight rates for North Carolina
points. He said Mr.. Kyle would later
make a report OF the meeting which he
had attended.
AS to the finances of the
! President Chadbourn stated that they
were in splendid condition., and that
there is a good sum to be carried to the
reserve fund.
BURDENSOME PILOTAGE.
Mr.. J. a. Arringdale, of the legisla-
tive committee, reported that the COM
mittee was considering what could be
lone to secure relief from the Onerous
compulsory pilOtage system in VOC Ie
at this port. No steps have been TAX
en- yet to carry the matter before the
legislature now in session, but the suit
now being carried on at Norfolk by
Boston boat owners was being watch
ed with keen interest. 1t was believed
that compulsory pilotage was a viola
ton of the Interstate laws,
as it interfered with traffic between the
states, and it is more than probable
that the result Of the fight would go
very far towards breaking W compul-
sorry pllotage. Mr.. Arringdale stated
that compulsory pilOtage was very det-
rimental to the port of Wilmington, Is
it was an obstacle to cheap freight
rates which water transportation Ordl-
narily offered. The high pilOtage and
towage rates effected every cargo Ct
coal, salt mOlaSses, ETC., that came
into Wilmington, and that it operated
carin1JS:r noainct tho fl1rn hn~ lnfprnCtS
of this port. He said the compulsory
pilotage system was simply monstrous,
and that it appeared that the river i'm
prOvements by the government appear
to be made for the benefit of the pilots
and was not for the benefit of the COM
mercial interest and the town. In
speaking Of pilOtage and towing, ne
declared that the rates were unusually
high n detrimental to the business
interests. For instance he cited that
Mr.. r. W. Hicks had to pay on one
vessel which came to him towing and
pilotage fees of $500, and that it
amounted to at least % cents on every
thousand feet of lumber that went out
! of the port, not to mention the enOr-
NOUS business now being done in eros
ties shipped out of Wilmington. The
product Of our lumber mills he stated.
was about 5000, 900 feet a year, and il
could be seen what that meant. II
was estimated that pilOtage and tow
age fees amounted to $50. 600, $40, 900 OF
$4,000 a year at the port Of Whining,
:! ton, and something should be one fol
relief from this burden on our com
. merce.
hi THE CURRENCY RELIEF BILL.
Mr.. Arringdala, also reported for the
y legislative committee that they hai
desired 10 make Z report on the FOw
= Ter currency bill now pending in con
D gress. but that q full meeting OF tn
committee had not been held TO cOnsid
er the bill. He said he would. however
recommend that some action be take
endorsing the Fowler bill which aimee
at giving relief her there is q stT:n
gencv IN the money markets. He sub
! mitIed 10 The meeting g Washington
special - Tne New York ourna o
Commerce giving tn" provisions Of tn
/ Fowler measure, and at his request j
was read by Mr.. NJ. w. jacob. Tn
article says:
The new Measure is considered yer.
V conservative. In essence it simply pro
vides for an issue of 25 per cent. Of tn
capital OF any bank in the form o
notes without pond deposit, but with
!, guaranty fund of 3 per cent. 10 be hei
y in the treasury and returned to tn
ID bank when the notes are retired. Thi
fund may consist Of United State
~ Vi VI S'Id- - (oh u 'iI--iI1
of one per cent. annually is impose
= upon the notes in average ito,
q during the six months preceding an,
this tax is added to the ; per cent
guaranty fund. The peculiarly of tn
bill is found in its redemption provis
ions. The notes are receivable by tn
government except for duties on i'm
1fI ports and nay be paid out again. The.
Is are redeemed in gold at the ISSUING
4 bank and by q redemption agent i
sci anyone of the three redemption dis
tricts. These districts include, respec
lively, the country tributary to New
York, TO Chicago and to San francisco
FL No notes issued outside of its own re
demption district are TO be paid out b,
atl any national bank receiving such note
n This is intended to stimulate quick re
dl (uddpe, ebmdthu,g
ell Mr.. w. E. Worth moved that tn
chamber endors the Fowler bill an,
! recommend the senators and repreSen