Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-30

station AT Old BOiflt ana f1Sbefhah
island was from 100000 10 $z0o.00O
end that the cost OF maintaining the
station and the island IL about Si5.OVo
per annum. This information was de
sired so that some line could be got
ten on the cost of equipping state
| quarantine station 10 supplant the
federal quarantine.
| Resolution Is Ratified.
When the speech-making was over,
the meeting ratified the resolutions
adopted by the grievance committee
Of the Board Of Trade and the reso-
luton now goes 10 the State board
OF. quarantine commissioners for their
consideration.
Some members of the commission
have placed themselves on record
as opposing this resolution on the
ground that IL virtually abolishes the
State quarantine Office, which Is
created by an act of the legislature.
Under the plan now existing at Nor
folk. the quarantine officer rs paid a
salary of $500, which salary Is sup
plemented by fees. The Norfolk bust
ness men contend for the retention
of the State quarantine ofiicr so
that ne could act In any emergency
case and for the payment OF this $500
10 him each year.
Letter From Local Agents.
Since the Norfolk Boaru OF Trade
has taken the quarantine matter up,
the shipping interests Of this city
have written the president Of that
hody commencing the organization
ter its fight against the State quar-
antIne The local agents believe that
the present state system Is a farce
pure ana simple" and that IL would
pot survive thirty days II politics were
eliminated" This letter was read be-
fore the Board of TRACE committee
On grievances and trade abuses
Thursday afternoon. Ii Is as follows:
Newport News, Va,
April 20. .9l0. ,
President and Members OF the Nor
folk Board OF Trade. Norfolk. va.
I'VE, the undersigned. representing
the foreign shipping interests of the
port OF Newport News. wish TO en-
dorse most heartily the commendable
effort which you are making to have
the double quarantine inspection OF
Hampton Roads abolished.
AS at present constituted the
State quarantine is looked upon by
all shipping interests and by all who
are familiar with the situation as a
farce pure and simple. and we do not
believe that the most ardent support
er of the State quarantine will claim
fer an Instant that it is necessary. II
the political feature Of the question
was eliminated II would not survive
for thirty days.
We do not make these statements
with any disrespect to the present
quarantine officers. but our protest is
against the law which makes this con-
dition OF affairs possible,
1t is. We think, admitted by all
that the national quarantine at Old
P3int Is efficient. and. until such time
as the State OF Virginia creates and
maintains an efficient service which
will permit of the withdrawal of the
national station. we think that the
matter should be left In the hands of
the national quarantine and the state
quarantine abolished.
1T is very annoying and irritating
to ship-owners TO have their steamers
inspected at Old Point. and. within
an hour thereafter. have them again
inspected by the State officers. II is
not s. mrch the fees which are ex-
acted by the state officers as the de-
lay and annoyance which attaches TO
the double inspection.
The State officers. who have this
matter in hand should see to II that
this handicap TO the commerce of
Hampton Roads is removed. and II Is
Earnestly hoped that you may be sue
cessful in bringing this to pass.
tSigned)
"Furness, Witty & Company. Ltd.
Holland-American Line. Chesapeake
& Ohio Ccal e. Coke Company, Ber-
wind-white Coal Mining Company,
Maryland Coal & Coke Company. New
River Consolidated Coal & Coke Com
pany. United States Shipping CON-
pany. White Oak Coal Company.
Chesapeake q Ohio Coal Agency Com
pany. George f. Warren Company,
Atlantic states Coal & Coke Com
pany"
The local shipping interests and
business men are taking a keen in.
terest in the Norfolk fight and they
propose that Newport News shall
have the same quarantine regulations
as those existing at Norfolk. Sc
II the quarantine commissioners grant
The request OF the Norfolk Board OF
! Trade the State quarantine also will
be practically abolished at ,nis port