The Waterfront Pilotage Fight
Shipping interests and commissioners clash over proposed compulsory pilotage laws on Puget Sound.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Puget Sound pilot commissioners will meet again in a few days and reconsider their recent recommendations to Gov. Ferry with reference to recommending the enactment of a compulsory pilot law. Capt. Barneson has his resignation prepared, but was induced by Capt. Biondi not to send it to the governor until another meeting of the board. The pilots are active in their demands for a compulsory law, and the shipping interests are vigorously opposing the measure. Capt. Barneson said today: 'I am in favor of placing a compulsory pilot tax on British tugs coming into Puget Sound waters, if possible, in retaliation to the tax placed on American tugs going into British waters. But as for taxing vessels with unnecessary pilot dues that are coming here to engage in our commerce, I am opposed to that.'
“The pilots are active in their demands for a compulsory law, and the shipping interests are vigorously opposing the measure.”
This early maritime dispute highlights the ongoing tension between local industry protection and the desire for free, competitive commerce—a debate still central to Seattle’s role as a major port city.
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