The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-29
AN ATLANTIC MARINER
. IN AST0RIA'S MIDST
CAPT. ]. II. PRUETT, or AMER
IcAN ASSOCIATION OF MAS
TIERS, MATES q PILOTS HERE

The register oi the Hotel Occidcnt
yesterday revealed the presence in
this city of Captain ] II, Pruett, Of
Brooklyn, New York, with his wife
and child, and this might have pass
ed with the current courtesy Of the
hour at mere mention, had il not
developed that Captain Pruett Is the
national president 81 the American
Association Of Masters, Mates and
Pilots. with headquarters in New
York City, which, in seaport like
this, Is q significant and interesting
fact and entitled 10 much farther in
quiry and elucidation. And 10 this
end reporter for the Astorian
sought the gentleman out at the Of
fee Of the Columbia River Bar Pi-
lots Association, and enjoyed a
pleasant chat with the chief repre-
sentative Of the country's mariners.
Captain Pruett Is a comparatively
young man with capable, resolute,
convincing manner and evidently a.
thorough master Of the intricate and
responsible interests he stands for,
as well as a master, par excellance,
of bis great trade.
He is out on the coast for the pur-
pose Of reviyifying the interest OF the
associations membership out here
and bringing the ncglectful and in
different back TO a realizing concern
as to their share in the great work
the main body is doing for the guild
ance and protection OF its people.
There are a large number Of masters
mates and pilots on the Pacific who
have belonged to the Association,
but who have allowed their interes.
and their dues to flag to point
where it has behooyed the main
group to send the president out here
TO inquire into ii. He is visiting all
the coast ports from Puget Sound to
San Diego. and his visits have met
with much encouragement every
where. He was in touch with the
leading mariners of Astoria yester-
day and seemed TO enjoy the day as
much as they did who met him.
The main association endeavors to
keep in sharp touch with its member
ship and to offer them its service
when occasion reauiFes, or when any
Of them get into trouble ashore or
aaoat, with owners consignees, gov
ernment inspectors, etc, etc.
1t also stands for the bettering Of
the laws Of the country as applied
to the safe, convenient and expedit-
ious handling Of vessels under all
circumstances, and frequently sub
mits amendments that qualify and
simplify the codes and duties Of all
engaged; ;and in this behalf, it has
already rs specific amendments to
offer for the consideration of Con-
gress this winter, in abatement,
elearing-up, and unifying some of
the graver errors conceded to exist
in this great and busy field. One Of
these is to relieve the federal in
spectors Of the necessity Of person
ally conducting the trial courts in
cases involving the credit and the
license OF ships officers, and turning
this function over to board Of prac-
tical men in the same business and
OF equal rank with the alleged delin-
quent, while the inspectors go on
with the numerous and exacting du-
ties OF their Office, leaving the hand
ling Of the complained-of masters,
mates or pilots to the board chosen
and endorsed by the inspectors them
selves. There are many other pro-
visions the master mariners would
Hike to see adopted in their interests,
but none Of them are in the light of
new laws, but rather as amendments
to laws already in force and respect
ed, but which might be made simpler
and more effective, if pruned of some
of their dubious and confusing inter-
pretations.
Captain Pruett will leave this
morning for Portland where ne will
attend a large meeting of his fellow
craftsmen and discuss the interests
Of the hour as he understands them
and seek for active and open express
sion in this valuable premise.