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4 + Ihe Marine Record. Marine Marine Record, Published Rveey Thuretay at “144 Suplrtes Street, |leader Building) Cleveland, 0. A. A. POMEROY, EDITOR AND PROP’R. TERMS OF SUBSORTPTION: One yean, postage pat .........cceeeeee ceeeeeeee $2.00 | Six months, postage paid...... ..sccsece ceceeeee 1.00 | Invasiably in advance. THE MARINE RECORD can be found for sale by the following news dealers: CLEVELAND, O.—G. F. Bowman, corner of Peer] and Detroit Streets. CHICAGO, ILL.—Joseph Gray, 9 West Ran- dolph Street, BU#FALO, N, Y.—A. C. Brideson, Michigan Swing Bridge. Also, Miss McCabe, Elk Street, near Ohio. DULUTH, MINN.—C. F. Johnson, 117 West Superior Street. ESCANABA, MICH.—Wm., Godley. Subscribers and others are respectfully invited to use the columns of the MARINE RECORD for the discussion of pertinent topics. ADVERTISING RATES MADE KNOWN ON APPLICATION. Entered at the Post Office at eres as second- class mail matter. OLEVELAND, GHIO, PHURSDAY, MARCH 11. LAKE CARRIERS’ ASSOCIATION. While the first annual meeting of the Lake Carriers’ Association was not as fully attended as it should have been, not as much interest taken in the deliberations at other lake ports generally, all the owners in Buffalo were present. Several unavoidable circumstances combined to keep the Cleve- and board away, the absence of Captain T. Wilson in California, of Mr. H. M. Hanna in Europe, and the death ef Captain Alva Bradley. Affairs incident to the present season possibly caused the absence of rep- resentative men of other ports along the lakes. President S. D. Caldwell submitted his report, which is a carefully prepared paper, directing the attention of the meeting to the many evils which now prevail in the lake carrying business, viz: The Canadian wreck- ing laws, necessary imprevement of the Sault canal, article 30, of the Treaty of Washington, bearing on the privileges of the coasting trade heretofore enjoyed by Cana- nian bottoms, (freely discussed in the col- umns of the Marine ReEcorD), a uniform bill of lading, Buffalo grain shoveling charges, grain shertages, and the bearing of Judge Brown’s decision thereon, the need of alight and fog whistle on Squaw island, and other matters of much interest to lake navigators. All ef these questions are of vital importance to vesse] owners and much eredit is due the association for the vigorous manner in which it has brought the evils to the attention of the president and other ap- propriate government officials. We, there- fore, urge again upon all vessel owners around the lakes the necessity of giving to the association their undivided support and confidence, knowing full well that by in- creased numbers and undivided influence the association can be made a power for good. No one to-day can deny the need of an association of this nature, a congress of ma- rine men, as it were, and no one can fail to outline the good effects it may have on the prosperity of lake carriers. The one ques- tion of grain shortage and shoveling is a sufficient argument for organization. Here- tofore a vessel master dare not sue for re- covery of moneys deducted from his freight bill for the reason that he would be blacked by the elevator people. If an association of this nature take the matter up it immedi- ately assumes a different phase. To put the evil of shortage in a proper light, we print the following table, taken from the report of the Merchants’ Exchange weighmaster: =... 4. Bushels. (Short. | Over.; 17,036,800) 12,046 5,780 y 160,200 3) 75 Flax Seed as settled _- 2, 140, 500 505) 105 Note—Flax Seed per | manifest......------ .| 2,141,054 2,293) 1,363 Lhe board ol tabagers elecled for the year 1886 7 are as follows: Thomas Martin, Oswego; 8. D. Caldwell, W. Bullard, David Donaldson, James Ash, Buffalo; Frank J. Firth, Erie, Pa.; E. T. Evans, Buffalo; Thomas Wilson, M. Bradley, H. M. Hanna, Cleveland; A. W. Colton, Toledo; Eber Ward, James Millen, Detroit, Mich.; James Davidson, Bay City, Mich.; Joseph Aus- trian, Ira H. Owen, W. M. Egan, Chicago; R. P. Fitzgerald, David Vance, Milwaukee, Wis. ; Alexander McDougall, Duluth, Minn, The association then elected officers as fol- lows. President, 5 . D. Caldwell. Vice President, (Buffalo) Hon. James Ash, Vice President, (Erie,) Frank Firth. Vice President, (Detroit,) James Millen. Vice President, (Chicago,) W. M. Eagan. Secretary, Francis Almy. Treasurer, James Cary Evans. THE FREIGHT SITUATION. In reviewing the influences at work in | the field and the various features of the | combination bearing on the freight situation» it is safe to say that vessel owners are still masters of the market. The coke strike, which was forced for a purpose, failed to have any material influence from lack ef co- operation and on account of jealousy be- tween the great operators, some of whom succeeded in turning out material in order to take advantage of a rising market, which caused a feeling of uneasiness among the operators of the quiet furnaces and led them to compound with the strikers. Regarding other labor troubles through the country, much could be said of their influ- ence on the lake carrying business, as they will have more or less effect in unsettling markets, As efforts atarbitration on all the questions at issue are being made, itis to be believed that the difficulties will be settled before the opening of navigation, and their ill effects be overcome before the docks at the ore centers of the Lake Superior region are ready for work, ‘‘hesame condition re- garding the wage question in this country at the present time obtains in England and other European countries, and the relative pesition of the laboring class and those who employ labor is fast assuming a false bear- ing, but from opposite causes. For instance, the war of wages on the part of the work- men of England is caused by stagnation of trade, a condition through which this coun- try has been passing during the past two years, and from which we are just emerg- ing, while on the part of the skilled work- men of this country the prospects of a more prosperous year and larger profits for manu- facturers, have been used, as we have said, as a pretext to unsettle business. New in- dustries are starting up everywhere, not- withstanding the increased cost of manu- factured articles, in the belief that preduc- tions will continue to bring increased prices. Large orders for ship building and for the construction of machinery have been placed, but if these contracts can not be carried to |* completion on account of the disaffection of labor, the country is in quite as bada condition as it was during the past few years of depression, and the goose which was about to lay the golden egg will be murdered by those who sheuld have pro- tected her. These thiugs all have their bearing on the freight situation, and while the American skilled workman and manu- facturer have the genius to suit their wares to every market, they will again be driven. to the wall because they can not harmonize. THE OPENING A telegram of the 8th inst. from Cheboy- gan, says, the weather has been mild for several days, and the ice in the straits is covered with water and is becoming porous. Water is visible a short distance from here on Lake Huron, Later advices say that the ice is moving out of the straits. The ice in the Sault is very soft and will readily yield to the insinuating influence of the sun and warmer winds. The Detroit river is clear ef ice. Ice is rapidly disappearing from the rivers and harbors, and quite a lively and exciting time was had opening up the Sagi- naw river, by the tug Anna, Captain Allan McLean, which is reported by our Saginaw correspondent, as follows: After passing the F. & P. M. railroad bridge a barrier of ice was met which, however, proved no great obstacle to the passage of the tug, which}proceeded foot by foot, the ice in some places being six inches in thickness, to a point north of the southern limits of Owen’s boom and then directly across the river to the slip at Gould’s mill. Piece by piece the frozen surface of the river was broken up, blocks from two inches square to twenty feet wide split off the unbroken field, and an open channel was finally made. The Theo. Perry, frozen in, was the objective point of the tug and its crew, and she was taken in tow and reached port in safety, All of these conditions, duly considered, with the present mild weather to sustain them, the opening ef navigation will not be long delayed, and the middle of April will possibly see ore laden vessels arriving at our docks from Escanaba, and those who are loaded with contract ore will be able to get in an extra trip. In the Marine ReEcorp edition of January 22, 1885, the priucipal features of the Reagan inter state commerce bill were given and the course of tbe bill before congress outlined. The present condition of the bill apparently bears out the assertions made at that time. It has again been favorably reported on and is before the house for action. It is be- lieved that the enactment and enforcement of the bill will abridge the powers of the great railroad corporations in favor of the producer, shipper and lake earrier, An amendment to the bill provides that a fine of t-vo thousand dellars shall be imposed upon railroad officials violating the act. A new paragraph is also inserted at the instance of Representative Weaver, intended to fit the cases of the Grand Trunk railroad, as fol- the United States for shipment through for- eign countries, the ultimate destination of which is some place in the United states, shall keep posted in a conspicuous place at the points of shipmenta schedule giving the through rates to points in the United States beyond the foreign territory. A failure to do so shall subject the company to the pen- alties fixed in the bill, and any other ship- mentinto a foreign country and reshipments into the United States, the through rates on which have not been published as required by the act, shall,on reaching the United States, be subjected to customs duties as if it were a foreign production, ——— On another page will be found the amended rules adopted by the supervising inspectors at their recent meeting in Wash- ington. It will be acknowledged that many of the amendments have improved the ex- isting rules, and will possibly have the effect of lessening the loss of life and property if strictly complied with. Next week we will publish the report and address of Presilent S. D. Caldwell, Lake Carriers’ Association in full. Also the de- tails of the Buffalo Merchants’ Exchange Weighmasters’ report, as both papers contain matter of much interest to owners and mas- ters. Tr all Chicago subscribers who missed their Marrnz Record last week will call sat Gray’s news depot, 9 West. Randolph treet, they will be supplied with t hem free THE SHIP CARPENTERS’ STRIKE The Detroit Free Press, March 10th, puts the situation of the ship carpenters’ strike at that port as follows: The striking ship carpenters are still very firm in their position against Mr. Craig, and equally hopeful as to a result satisfactory to them. The seven men from Canada, de- tained as witnesses against Mr. Craig, will remain until the case is settled and yester- day acommittee waited on District Attorney Black to urge him to immediate action in the case. The other men, thirty in number, will be sent home to-day in a special car at acost of about one-fourth of the cost of thirty second-class passages, and the ex- pense will be met by the Executive Com- mitte of the Knights of Labor. A committee also visited Alex. McVittie and asked him if he was willing, as repre- sentative of the Detroit Drydock Company, te submit the case to arbitration. Mr. Mc- Vittie expressed his willingness to do so un- der certain conditions, and the committee made a report accordingly. Yesterday afternoon Chene Hall was filled to its greatest capacity. Representative Long called the meeting toorder, saying that in a letter written by Mr. McVittie to the Detroit newspapers that gentleman says that even should the matter be sub- mitted to arbitration the men, it was his opinion, would not abide by that decision. The striking ship carpenters, Mr. Long said, had been to true toe their promises—more so than any cerporation. He requested any man in the hall who had contracted to work for Mr. MecVittie for $2 per day to step forward. At this four stalwart Frenchmen arose from the group and said that they were promised by Mr. MeVittie $2 per day until the vessel on which they were then at work was finished. ‘The men said that they had made no contract whatever, written or verbal, with Mr. MeVittie. Mr. Long then asked the men to rise who had made a con- tract, written or verbal, with Mr. McVittie. At this every man arose. He then asked in case arbitration was submitted to them, how many would abide by that decision? Again they all arese and shouted affirmatively. Mr. Long spoke ina feeling manner of the Canadian laborers who had been induced to leave their homes under the false repre- senta:ions of Mr. Craig or his agent. The Executive Committee have decided to make po further advances until they have re- ceived trom Mr. MeVittie of the Drydock Company a statement explaining what is to be done. Captain Millen, manager of the Star Line decided to send the steamer Northwesi te} Perry, bas asked the Revenue Department : Captain Jenkins’ yard to bave her couw- | for a chief engineer. oe : pleted. It will be necessary to pay fifty per cent. duty on ber repairs, but the steamer must be ready for business at the opening of navigation, no matter what it costs. The Star Line had no contract with the Drydock Company. and were in no way responsible for the strike, but were being made to loose heavily by the delay. It is thonght that there will be very little trouble experienced in getting the steamer in shape as soon as she is wanted. Plans were prepared some time ago fo ar large double end steamer intended for win- | lows: Any company receiving freight in| ter navigation at the Straits of Mackinuae, It was found in attempting to keep a passage open by the steamer Algomah that when it was impossible to proceed head first into the ice some progress could be made by backing into it and grinding the ice -vith the steam- er’a screw. Profiting by this experience it was decided to build a steamer with a screw at each end in other ways equipped for win- ter navigation: The steamer is wanted for next winter’s work. The Detroit Drydock Company was asked for figures on building this steamer. All the successful ice erush- ing steamers in use on the lakes were built here, and it was almost certain that this one would also be constructed at a Detroit yard, but the gentlemen declined to figure on the work and to-day a gentleman interested in the new steamer leaves for Cleveland and Buffalo to get figures from the shipbuilders there. Itis very likely that the new steamer will be built at Buffalo. [Around the Lakes Continued from 1st Page. ] SANDUSKY. Special to the Marine Record. Iu mentioning the different craft under- going repairs here the past winter, we failed to mention the steamer Bessie. She will receive a fresh coat of paint in a few days, when the green timber placed on her in the way of repairs will disappeared. Postmaster Keyes, Collector Rude and Homer Goodwin, the latter a prominent Sandusky attorney, have been in Washing- ton for several days, seeing to the interests of our harbor. The appropriations of late -| years have been inadequate. The steamer American Eagle, after numerous unsuccessful attempts to reach the Island, succeeded in getting to Kelleys Island Saturday evening, where she laid over until the following morning, when the trip was continued to Put-in-Bay with con- siderable difficulty. A channel having been thus made she experienced very little trouble in returning to this port Monday, laden with freight that had accumulated since the heavy ice prevented her running. A large number of passengers were aboard and considerable fish were sent over by the ~ Island fishermen, F. K. LUDINGTON. Special to the Marine Record, The steamer John D. Dewar has com- menced running from here to Pentwater. The steamer Marshall F. Butters is being fitted up for business, as are also the tugs Aldrich and Spert. The railroad steamers are making regular trips between here and Milwaukee. They report very little ice. Dz. WINDSOR, ONT. — Special to the Marine Record. The steambarge Ada E. Allen, Captain John Weston, will have her machinery and boiler overhauled. The steamer City of Dresden, Captain N.J. Wygle, has had a rebuild, amounting to nearly $38,000, comprising some new frames, new guards, deck frames and bul- warks. Her cabin has been extended, and She will run” two new state rooms added. on her old route between Windsor, lake shore and Pelee island. The schooner Persia, Captaln Peters, has — received new bulwarks all around, a new stern, and repairs to her cabin. The scow Keepsake, Captain Thomas Lucas, is getting new decks and general re- pairs. WILLIAMs, — OSWEGO, si Captain F. I. Merryman & Co., wreckers, of this city, have been awarded the contract : by the Pool insurance companies, of Buffalo, to release the prupeller Oconto, now ashere — at Charity Islands, and deliver her in the drydock at Bay City. Work will becom- — menced as soon as the ice and weather will permit. Captain Merryman, whe has investi- gated the condition of the boat, is sanguine ‘ ; of the success of the enterprise, ERIE. The contract for deepening and wideting : the channel to the Pittsburg docks at this port. has been awarded to Lewis Lynn Work will be commenced as soon as the ice is out, and the channel will be deepened so as to admit schooners of the largest size. Captain Hodgson, of the revenne e