The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-06

eral Discussion INDUCED In.
An important meeting of the cham
Der Of commerce was held yesterday af-
ternoon for the purpose of considering
the pilotage question and it was at
tended by a number Of prominent bus
mess men. Those present were Messrs.
j.. Allen Taylor, president; James Kyle,
secretary; Win. Calder, Hugh MacRae,
T. D.. Love, H. C. Smallbones, Sam
Bear, J. A. Arinsdale, Geo. R.. French,
NJ. F. H. Gouveneur, S. P. McNair, r.
A. Parsley, NJ. W. jacob, J. T. King,
o S. McEachern, c.. C. Covington,
M. S. Willard, w. E. Perdew, l.. Blu
enthal, w. H. Sprunt, C. w. Worth, and
E. C. Holt.
The meeting was called to order by
President Taylor, who stated that the
meeting had been called for the pur-
pose of considering the compulsory pi-
lOtage question. Mr.. C.. G. Covington
offered a resolution which after being
amended to abolish compulsory pilotage
not only from Southport to Wilmington
but also from the bar, was passed ny
a vote Of 10 to /.
There was a general discussion by
those present concerning the existing
pilotage laws INK by the time the body
was ready to vote on the question the
true status of affairs was so well under
stood that they. with the exception Of
Mr.. M. w. jacob, who voted against
the resolution, adopted the following
resolutions:
Whereas, the Pilotage and Towage
! service on the cape Fear river has been
several ear a source of constant COM
plant from the shipping interests of the
port of Wilmington and
Whereas, it is apparent that the
commercial development of the port has
been and is being retarded by reason of
the heavy port charges on traffic NOV
ing via this port, be it
Resolved, That the President Of the
Chamber appoint "a committee of five
to draft i bill for presentation to the
General Assembly of North Carolina,
which will embody the following legis-
lation with reference to the cape Fear
river and bar:
1. The complete and absolute abolish
ment of compulsory pilotage.
2. The repeal of the avs (f they ex-
ist) that give to certain men the special
and exclusive right to engage in the
pilotage service, and substitute such
laws as will empower the Commission
ers of Navigation and Pilotage to select
= and regulate the number Of men nee
essary for the service.
4. The reduction of the pilotage rates
to an amount sufficient to put Whining
ton on a footing with competitive ports.
5. Such other legislation as the COM
mittee may think necessary for the
commercial expansion of the port.
Resolver further: That the senator
from this district and the Representa-
tive from this county are urgently re-
quested to use every effort to ecure
prompt passage for the bill which the
committee above provided for will pre-
sent.
The discussion in regard to the pilot
age question was INDUCED in at length
I before the above resolution was adopt
ed and the reasons many why Whining
ton should no longer stand alone and
have to suffer as a of such
a law.
Mr.. Hugh MacRae was one of the
liISl SpSdhtiS oi liz SUBJECT i OllSi-
ed an amendment to the original reso-
luton offered by Mr.. C. c. Covington
to the effect that compulsory pilotage
be entirely abolished. He said ne
thought this a matter that concerned
the growth of Wilmington and her
ogr far more than the public
realized and if compulsory pilotage was
done away with that the city would
make greater progress than ever before.
The speaker said he had no direct inter-
est in the question but was only con-
cerned as every man, woman and hild
in Wilmington viz, in the prosperity
and progress Of Wilmington. Not only
ices the pilotage law affect the lumber
plants and the other industries directly
controlled, said Mr.. MacRae, but every
person in Wilmington for it is like a
tariff, the effect is there but it is hidden.
He asserted that if the people of Will
mington realized what they were sub
hitting to that they would not stand it
but only a few know the real
state of affairs. He said in this connec-
ton he would further amend the reso-
luton to the effect that the Chamber
of Commerce set forth the reasons why
compulsory pilotage should be abolish
ed and have the same published in the
papers of Wilmington. In this manner
the speaker said the people could better
see what they were submitting to.
Mr.. McRae spoke of the wonderful
prowress now being made by this coun
ty and that much Of it was due to the
| macadam roads A macadam road he
| said was to the farmer and merchant
| what the river was to the shippers
| If the farmers had to pay toll to come