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Lake Carriers’ Annual—Important Discussion. + Special Correspondence to the MARINE REVIEW. _ Burrao, N. Y., March 5.—The annual meeting of the Lake Carriers’ Association, held here today, was one of the most important gatherings in the history of the organization. Arbitration as a means of settling losses, uniformity in steering and the proposed adoption of a code of in- structions to masters for the safer navigation of rivers, harbors and narrow channels are all matters that created a great deal of discussion and were generally discussed. It was hoped that the Cleveland representatives in the meeting—Mr. H. M. Hanna. Capt. GeorgeP . McKay and Capt. Thomas Wilson—that the wheel chain question would be settled at this meeting _ but it was again held over by the adoption of a resolution instructing the secretary to secure by letter the opinions of all members of the associa- tion. The discussion was, however, very warm, Messrs. Hanna, McKay and Wilson advocating uniformity in a very earnest manner. Uniformity can only be secured through the straight chain system. Messrs. Bullard and Maytham, of Buffalo, were the leading opponents of the change. Mr. Bullard holds to the opinion that the cross chain system is the natural system and Mr. Maytham does not want the tugs inconvenienced. Mr. Maytham’s interest is in tugs and he holds, rightfully, that the chains on tugs are all crossed. It was evident at the close of the discussion, how- ever, that even the Buffalo line masters are now less antagonistic toward uniformity in steering and it may be expected that the result of this in- quiry among members will cause some action to be taken before the next meeting of the supervising inspectors of steam vessels. The merits of arbitration in all matters of loss between lake vessels were presented by Mr. Hanna who introduced that question, and the opinion that prevailed was decidedly in favor of such a scheme for settling losses. On thisas well as other questions papers from Capt. James Davidson, of West Bay City, Mr. Ira H. Owen, of Chicago, and others were read. The association did have rules bearing on arbitration but they were only for an adjustment of salvage claims. It was decided that the question was one with which it would be necessary to deal deliberately, and Messrs. H. M. Hanna, of Cleveland, A. W. Colton, of Toledo, and Frank J. Firth, of Erie, were appointed a committee to consult attorneys and submit, if possible, an arbitration plan that will be binding upon all vessel owners who enter into the agreement. In the course of discussion on this matter Mr. Firth, of the Anchor line, said that he felt sure that the insurance companies would also favor such arbitration and be governed by it in most cases. The Anchor line carrier Winslow and the steel steamer Castalia collided in the Detroit river last summer. The managers of the boats agreed to arbitrate the matter but found that the insurance policies of both boats contained collision clauses. This was against arbitration but both foreign and home underwriters agreed to arbitration and the case is now under consideration. It was also decided to proceed cautiously with regard to the code of rules for navigating narrow channels. Capt. Thomas Wilson, Cleveland, Ira H. Owen, Chicago, and W. Bullard, Buffalo, will prepare a code of rules and an effort will be made to have all vessel owners agree to have their masters live up to them. Messrs. Bullard, Evans and Hanna were appointed a committee to consider the advisability of employing counsel at Washington during the coming year. Messrs. John Gordon and James Ash were appointed a committee to audit the accounts of the treasurer. The association tendered (ol. William Ludlow a vote of thanks for timely suggestions in regard to public matters under his charge. Mr. J. 8S. Dunham, of Chicago, suggested a plan for delaying the open- ing of navigation until the 1st or 15th of May if it was found that the ves- sel owners were desirous of doing so. Mr. Dunham would have an agree- ment signed at all ports on the lakes and forwarded to Buffalo. The sym- pathies of the lake carriers were with the plan but they could take no ac- tion upon it as a body, as such action would be contrary to the constitu- tion. The Lake Carriers’ Association can do nothing to influence freights. Buffalo vessel owners will meet in a few days, however, and join in the Cleveland movement to have the opening delayed. Secretary Keep’s report was a very important document. In it Mr, Keep reviewed the work of the association for the entire year. The only changes in officers is in the board of managers which is now made up as follows: James Ash, W. Bullard, 8. D. Caldwell, E. T. Evans, W. P. Henry, and P. P. Miller, Buffalo; Frank J. Firth, Erie; M. A. Bradley, H. M. Hanna, Thomas Wilson and Harvey H. Brown, Cleveland; A. W. Colton, Toledo; W. Livingston, Jr.,Detroit; James Davidson, Bay City; W. M. Egan and Ira H Owen, Chicago; R. P. Fitzgerald and David Vance, Milwaukee; John Gordon and Alex. McDougall, Duluth; F. W. Baldwin, Ogdensburg. Thers is now 291,771 tons of property in the association, the approximate value of which is $25,000,000. From London, over the sea, comes report that the British under- writers have for some time been discussing the advisability of advancing premium rates. Their losses tor the past year or two have been heavy, and their inclination to continue doing business at the old figures has been practically satisfied. Our own marine underwriters have claimed all along that the foreigners could not keep in the business at their low MARINE REVIEW. rates, and the present agitation would seem to confirm such view. While it may be true that the foreign rates: were lower than the risks warranted, itis true that better rates fairly could have been made by the home under- writers on the high class lake hulls sought by the foreigners. High rates have been necessary for the home companies because of the large expenses incurred in the business as it has been done these many years. The general agents are paid a commission of 25 per cent. on all risks taken— good, bad, and indifferent. The more risks they take, the more money they make; so the companies are saddled with a lot of poor risks on which losses are almost inevitable. What cares the general agent so long as he gets his 25 per cent? Out of every 4 cent rate he gets 1 cent clear. The general agent takes the profits, and the company pays the losses. It is a nice thing for a man to go to Europe and get the general agency of several companies on such terms—a nice thing for the agent, but the companies may find the thing other than nice. The only sensible way to do this business is for the companies to pay a good man a fair salary to act as general agent, and a percentage of the profits if deemed advisable. Then risks will be closely scrutinized, and bad ones will be refused. Then the agent will work for the interest of his company, and the company will have a fair show of making something as well as the agent. The Etna has long followed this plan, and with good results. ye MSM, Chicago River Bridges and Navigation. Special Correspondence to the MARINE REVIEW. Cuicaco, Int, March 5.—While everything points to a quiet season for 1891, with freight rates and wages approximately the same as last year, it will sti.1 be well to bear in mind that seasons have come and gone in which the patient has rallied in the most surprising manner. Small owners of lake craft have not been slow to perceive whither they were drifting through the launching of so many large freighting steamers. Very wisely they have been husbanding their resources, and it is safe to assume that they will not quit altogether losers when the tie up comes in the fall. As yet there is no indication of anything definite having been done in the way of coal, ore or lumber freights for the season, although a number of inquiries have been made. ; The action of the mayor in declaring for fixed bridges creates con- siderable discussion here, and many of the more prominent vessel men are not slow to declare that more annoying: blockades on the streets lead- ing to the bridge approaches would occur under the fixed bridge system than now, and aside from that, every thousand of lumber, and every ton of coal would have an appreciated value. Among the many who ridicule the idea of fixed bridges there are however, a few who see in the distant future the whole lake front given up to grain elevators, coal and lumber yards. : While everything is seemingly in “inocuous desutude,” the E. M. B. A. meet regularly once a week, to initiate new members, and provide ways and means for strengthening their prosperous lodge. Last week two noted addresses were made at the rooms, by special invitation. Admiralty attorney Kremer and Alderman Dunham talked to the masters. The former spoke for an hour and a half on laws governing navigation on the Chicago river, and the liability of tugs to their tows. Among other things Mr. Kremer dwelt upon were: The points of speed to be pursued, and the right of way in passing and entering bridges. In his closing address the speaker said the rules governing the navigation of the Chicago river was the same as on the laxes, ani that the rules provided by congress and those provided by the inspectors of steam vessels were in harmony with the statutory rules. By custom steamers and vessels navigating the Chi- cago river must keep to the right whenever possible, and that when navi- gating the river in meeting vessels they were to be governed by rule one, known as the head rule, and rule twenty-four of the statute, which pro- vides in all cases however, that vessels must if possible avoid a collision, and must have a due regard to all special circumstances which render a departure from the rules necessary. He said that all signals must be promptly answered whether assenting or dissenting, and danger signals should be used where there is doubt or difficulty. Alderman Dunham re- ceived almost an ovation as he stepped to the platform. He gave a his- tory of the Canal street bridge and closed by urging its removal, and a deepening of the channel that navigation might be made safe and con- venient. The speaker also called upon his hearers to oppose farther en- croachments on the rights of vessels to navigate the Chicago river. Vessel owners are interested in procuring signatures to a petition whereby a sailor endeavoring to ship before the mast as an unknown or as one without proper discharge papers from his last master shall be ineligible for such employment. ‘The mayor has submitted a communication to the finance committee with reference to straightening the river between Harrison and Taylor streets, and putting in large bridges at Harrison and Polk streets. The plan of placing a bridge at Fourteenth street will probably be abandoned as that street has not been opened to the river front. = pone ete nn een RS NM BCRP ROEM LLBEAN MN eh lI NEA CENA