The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-18
Increase, according to
their statement So. $4,000

Increase according to
their statement 80. $4,000
In displaying this increase. they did
not do the case the simple justice OF
showing that the final difference tto
an association of "thirty-six men" is
OF $4,000 coastwise pilotage, an in
crease (by their own figures) of only
S2S,O00.
They seem absolutely ignorant of the
expense incident TO maintaining the
equipment of pilot organization, and
we shall have to inform them that
while according to their flgures) the
pilotage in 1907 by the proposed rates
would have been so14,000. there should
be deducted for that years expense
| S9O,120.
Shall we consider this amount a
princely income to the members of an
association who maintain $4,000
equipment under hazardous conditions
to such investment?
Shall we consider this amount a
princely income to those who not only
face the dangers incident to cruising
in the path of shipping and boarding
vessels under all conditions of wealth
er, but who also are frequently in
charge OF vessels rocking with con-
tagious or infectious diseases?
Our opponents have taken an ex-
ceptionally prosperous year of ship
ping upon which to base their argu-
ments. We have gone further than
this-back during the past nine years
Of a fluctuating commerce, and find
that the basis of gain upon which our
opponents are working would give ap-
proximately the following result.
Decreased Increased
Compensa Compensa-
ton. ton.
1898 ........ 6per cent. ............
1899 ........ II per cent, ............
19OU per cent.
1901 ........ ........... ~ per cent.
1902 ........ 81 per cent. ............
1903 ........ "a per cent. ............
1905 ........ 2lper cent. ............
1906 ........ Z per cent. ...........
The objection, based upon one years
calculation, is, therefore, equivalent to
the argument that because a farmer
profted by his wheat. tobacco OF po-
tato crop one season, the price of these
commodities should be lower in SUISSE
quent years; while the statement as to
the number of foreign carrying vessels
that entered cur ports in 1907 is exag-
gerated by over 200.
lIlcy ISlcE 10 tue llIIlc SlASuIllto aOS
each pilot for his compensation as be
Ing about six hours u day.
Whnt 4oolishnesa! The Virginia
pilots duties involve, in the matter OF
cruising ana plotting vessels, about
5000 hours yearly, or ten times ns
much service as the oppositiOn's state
ment credits them with, while during
the other time, when they are not oc-
cupfed, they are minute men and must
hold themselves ready ut any hour for
duty.
Tho dangers of the pilot are also dis
credited by thefsentlemen who, safely
esconced in their offices, rake In the
shekels.
Within the past fifteen years one of
these pilot boats, which are compelled
under all weather conditions to lie IN
the path of shippll &. has been sent
To the bottom off the Cupes: two others
have been cut down to me waters
edge: another recently-.had part Of
her stern torn off, when four or five
seconds difference in time and position
would have meant complete cutting in
two, with tho loss of all on board.
There are other CLOSE calls" and If
some of the opposition would be en-
lightened more fully as to why pilot
merits liberal compensation, we invite
such to a weeks cruise on the pilot
boat Relief.
The Supreme Court of Massachusetts
said In considering this subject in
Smith VS., Swift Is Metcalf aa.):
"lcrom the very nature OF the sub
ject these provisions are entitled to u
liberal construction, In order to give
fun efficiency to laws especially de-
signed to promote the Interest OF COM
merce and to protect the lives and
property of the citizens engaged I'M
It."
And Lord Esher referring TO the
value of pilots to commerce, said in
Charlton s. Asp, NJ c. 30:
ut was not enacted for tho protee-
ton only OF ships; 1t was enacted for
tho protection OF ports. of commercial
ports, and also OF naval ports; of COM
mercial ports In particular, because, ! {
vessel is wrecked and lost and sunk
near to the entrance or within si,e
an 4 IN ncagtn "a cnIr,mercinl mort sha liz