Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-19

hbib tht QiSlS Vi gain upon WHICH our
opponents ara working would give ap-
proxomately the. following result:
Decreased Increased
Compensa- Compensa-
ton. ton.
1893 800. 6 per cent .....
1889 ...... IL per cent ....
1900 49,. ..i...... . per cent.
1901 ...... .......... 2la per cent.
1902 ...... 81 per cent ........
1903 $3.50. % per cent. ......
1905 1900. 81 per cent .....
1906 1900. per cent. ...
The objection, based upon one years
calculation. is, therefore. equivalent
TO the argument that because far
mer proii;ed by his wheat. tobacco or
potato crop one season, the price of
these commodities should l,a lower
in subsequent yearg: while the state
ment as to the number of foreign
carrying vessels that entered our
ports in 1907 is exaggerated by over
200.
They refer to the time consumed by
each pilot for his compensation as be-
Ing about six hours day.
What foolishnessl The Virginia
P''SN " dehiCS knG tudlhCT w
cruising and plotting vesses, about
s,ooo hours yearly, or ten times as
much service as the oppoeition's
statement credits them with, while
during the other time, when they are
not occupied, they are minute men
and must held themselves ready at
any hour for duty.
The dangers OF the pilot are also
1icrrnllfn1 ~. hn
safely esconced in their Offices, rake
in the shekles.
Within the past fifteen years one Of
these pilot boats, which are compelled
under all weather conditions 10 lie in
the path of shipping has been sent
to the bottom off the Capes; two
others have been cut down to the
waters edge; another recently had 4
part of her stern torn OFF, when four
or five seconds difference in time and
position would have meant complete
cutting in two, with the loss OF all on
board. There are other CLOSE calls"
and If some OF the opposition would
be enlightened more fully as to why
n pilot merits liberal compensation,
we invite such to n weeks cruise on
the pilot boat Relief.
The Supreme Court of Massachu-
sets said in considering this subject
in Smith vs.. Swift Is Metcalf 1922:
From the very nature of the sub
ject these provisions are entitled to n
liberal construction. in order to give
full efficiency 10 the laws especially
designed to promote the interest of
commerce and to protect the lives
and property OF the citizens engaged
in It,"
And Lord Esher, referring 10 the
value OF pilots to commerce. said in
Charlton 8. Asp. NJ. C. 90:
ut was not enacted for the protec-
ton only of ships; It was enacted for
the protection of ports. of CONNER
cial ports. and also of naval ports; Of
commercial ports in particular, be-
cause, If vessel Is wrecked and lost
and sunk near TO the entrance or
within the entrance to n commercial
port, she is not only lost herself but
she is n great danger and obstruction
TO the port and to other vessels, and
would interfere with the commercial
business of the port
Kent says that the Service which
pilot renders commerce ranks next
In importance to that OF salvage"
dSlucidating further from our own
standpoint, will say that compensa-
ton is based upon two distinct phases
of service-viz: direct and contribu-
tive. These may be subdiyided as
follows:
The responsibility involved in pilot
ing into snd out of port vessels and
carsees, ranging in value from one
hundred thousand to several million
doiiars-with crews and frequently
passengers on board.
Cooperation with health authori-
| ties, both national and State, Dr.. r.
NJ. Urquhart, United States quaran-
tine officer at Cape Charles, saying:
"a have relied almost entirely upon
the pilots to prevent foreian and
eoastwise vessels from passing our
quarantine"
And Or. William A. Thorn, State
quarantine officer for Norfolk, said:
"For nearly four years | have been
quarantine medical officer for Eliza
beth River and It's branches. DURING
that time each day has taught me the
absolute helpleosness of my office
without the aid of the Virginia Pilot
Association. They are required by
two statutes OF this State to aid in the
enforcement Of the quarantine reauIa-
tons, and are the only available
means by which such regulations can
be made known to the masters of in.
cop'irg vessels"
Co operatjon with lJnitad Sfatee