The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-02-15
Sincerely yours,
E. II. CRANMER,
II " HOOD

II. ". HOOD,
Committee, Southport Chambe: Of
Commerce"
In addition to the circular above. L
is reported that a petition asking for
the restoration Of pilotage laws has
been in circulation in ne city during
the past few days, with what success,
as to signatures, is not known.
In regard to the statements in the
above circular, a leading business man
OF this city, one thoroughly converSaut
with the advantages and needs Of he
port, and who knows the results Of the
free pilOtage system here, said emphat-
lcally that not a single accident or
mishap has occurred to shipping OF
the bar or in the river, that in any way
could be attributed to the lack Of pot
age laws. AS TO the suits in the United
States courts, he said, that they grew
gu of wrecks off Frying Pan Shoals,
60 or 70 miles from the Cape Fear
bar, and over which pilots from this
port have never cruised. These wrecks
were brought t Wilmington. for sci
wage, and the suits were naturally in
stituted in the L. S. court here.
AS to the commerce Of the port hdV-
ing been damaged, this gentleman said
that such was not the case at all, but
that the big shippers of this city, who
would be the first to ask for reliec if
any was needed. are entirely satisfied
with the conditions as they now ex!St
and that n attempt to again have
a pilotage law enacted will be opposed
vigorously by the shipping interests of
the city.
In addition to this, it was stated 2D-
solutely as a fact by the gentleman
interviewed, that the present status Of
affairs is the result Of a proposition
made by the Southport pilots them
selves and it would seem to be a breach
of faith to go back on their agreement.
When the Wilmington business mal
were contending for a modified law.
that would take pilotage off all slip
ping except foreign, the Southport
pilots proposed that they should not
stop with the modified measure, but
should ask for the repeal Of all pilotage
laws. The proposition was accepted
and the present free pilotaSe systeL: is
the result.
The business men who fought TIE.
compulsory laws, in order to offe:: q
protection to shipping. invested money
in a pilot boat and equipped it will
pilots from Southport. They served
the port faithfully and satisfactorily
for several months, when other pilots
invested money in a better boat and
gradually took all the business that
was offered. The business men herc,l
who were caring only that the ports
interests should be protected, and not
caring to compete for business '.h"nl
withdrew their boat from service, arGl
the Independent crew now at Southport
is rendering the best service in ilIcI
past 20 years. |
AS to the matter when it comes upl
before the legislature, it is known had
the Wilmington chamber of Gel
will resist the enactment of a pilotageI
law to the utmost. They will conteu,t.j
and proof can be given, that the peril
has not suffered in the slightest meas !
ure because the law was repealed. Durl
the contrary the business done h3reI
has been large and satisfactory, tiel
shipping interests being satisfied wiki
as they exist.
In regard to the attitude of Reprcs!1-
tative Morton and Senator George II
Bellamy it was stated positively tnatl
both of these men had pledged tLen;-
not to interfere with the law as|
it now stands, unless the shipping in
of Wilmington demanded al
change.
The matter will be watched with H.
terest and the efforts to again ptar,
pilotage laws on the port of Wilmi.t2-
ton will be fought to a finish.