The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-08

Almost unanimously, said he, the prop
erty interests of Wilmington demand
ed the change in the law. Changed
conditions affect other places. The
| fact that port charges elsewhere are
cheaper hurts the city and the pilots,
also Southport, said he, by reason
of its geographical position, a hun
dred or so miles further out in the
ocean than any other port would be
greatly benefited by the bill, which
| would render it unparalleled as COAL
| ing station.
| Chamber of Commerce Views.
| Mr.. r. A. Parsely and Mr.. j. A. Ar
ringdale. when seen last night talked
Interestingly of the pilotage situation
which they declared was rot only
unique but which was of vital im-
pCrtance not only to Wilmington but
| to the state.
IT is now practically impossible, said
Mr.. Parsely for any one other than
| those at present licensed as pilots TO
get occupation in that pursuit. There
are thirty-eight of the pilots and they
| have an association under the terms of
which all the money is at the end of
the year turned into the treasury and
pro-rateG among the members of the
association, this in spite of the fact
not more than twelve Of them are
actually engaged in the work. Some
of the others, said he, are tug boat
men, some others farmers and others
engaged III various business enterprises
Nevertheless each one of the pilots
having license shares equally with his
fellows in the business.
This arrangement. said Mr.. Parsley.
is made the more perfect by reason
OF the fact that the pilots are in con-
troll of the tug boat situation. Thir-
teen of their number own the only two
tug boats Of the harbor and these boats
are paid twenty-five per cent. of the
sntire pilotage receipts, although they
make their regular charges 70" tCWage
The consequence is, according to the
view of the advocates of the present
bill, that no one else can go into the
tug boat business for the reason that
the bonus the two boats now receive
from the pilots would enable them to
undercut any and all competition. The
receipts of the pilots at the port run
anywhere from 1000 to $4,000 per
! year and on account of the average
pert being free, Wilmington loses the
trade of hundreds of vessels which
| would otherwise enter there. OF the
ports which have compulsory pilotaSe
| laws for co2stWise vessels, these being
| Wilmington. Norfolk Charleston. Will
mington is the only port recurring
pilotage on river. The cost IF bring
| ing = vessel into port runs anywhere
| from s125 TO $3.50 this proving a
great burden TO the city.
! Mr.. J. A. Arringdale spoke more
particularly of the value Of the present
bill considered from the point of view
of freight rates which he claimed
would be reduced not only in the case
H.,
points in the State. This fact was
true. he said, by reason of the system
/ Of the railroads i'll fixing freight 5cned-
uleS in accordance with water rates.
/ AS IL is now the rates of the port of
Wilmington ara naturally fixed 50 a. to
| include in a measure the cost of pilot
/ age, so that the waite, rates are higher,
beth by reason of this fact and the
broader one of restricted trade with
! vessels. IT is q matter Of proportion,
/ said he. II the water rates are rcd':c.
| ed the railroad rates go down all
along the line Of the roads which
would be affected by the decreased
Wilmington water rates AS it Is
| now. said he. many products destined
| to North Carolina are shipped as far
| as Boston and theE shipped back.
| land first in Wilmington and then be
distributed at less than the present
| cost to North Carolina points.
Takes Away Livelihood. say Pilots.
The pilots claims are broadly that
/ q bill which will take away their live
| !ihcod is an unjust measure. that their
number is composed OF men who are
| called on at all times and regardless of
weather or danger to perform ardu-
Gus duties. The business is one that
requires special skill and long train
1 ,.,Ss Mt too Tsr
when considering the nature OF the
| duties. and that they compare favor
ably with the rates charged by pilots
| at other ports. The provision OF the
| bill which cuts down the number OF
tho pilots is particularly unjust and
unreasonable. they say, because the
cost OF plotage. being fixed according
| to tonnage canrot be in any sense reg
ulated by the number of mcr engaged
| III the business.
Tho argument of the pilots for the
maintenance of tho compulsory fcatur.,
| of the laws, prevailing at present, is
| that in good weathe~ a ship would
! not ander any circumstances want q
pilot bur that in case Of ,torm the
demand would be instant and univcr-
| sal. The coast off of Wilmington is one
| OF the most dangerous known ana 70
| require the pilots TO practically look 10
their entire means of support at times
when their lives would be endangered
| in performing their duties, would be III
| every way q hardship TO them. rs IL
| is under compulsory system. the dan
gers OF tho profession are in moas-
ure compensated for by the work and
| the consequent profit during times
when the weather is fair.
| Flll Argument Tonight.
| IT will be seen from the above tina.
| there is a great deal 20 be said Oh both
sides OF the questions involved in the
! bill. and if there is a joint meeting
tonight. the discussion viii be one OF
| the greatest interest. and CT a chal &c
/ ter admitting of much eioqueucc, eS-
| peeialy in behalf Of the pilots, the
| Eatura of whose work has ever. been
such as 10 call for poetic contempla-
! tion