Most did not speak English and consequently faced great difficulty finding jobs, legal assistance and social services. The need was great. Association member Paul Wu explained that the tongs sprang up as networks to provide basic services such as housing, jobs and recreation for the men that labored so far from their families. Today, tongs continue to provide a job and cultural network for the Asian community, but their larger mission has changed. Wu said the Hop Sing Tong has become a cultural preservation society of sorts.
Old headlines shed some light on less illustrious days.
The Hop Sing had accused the Bing Kong of robbery. But the dispute, which made headlines in Seattle, ended without violence. But Wu said the association cannot be held responsible for the actions of all its members. And he called the tong's notorious reputation an overblown misconception. Highlighting the need for restoration efforts, the tong's glittering new storefront stands in stark contrast to the Hong Kong building across the street.