The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-04
THE SHIPPING SCANDAL.

Interview with Captain Duncan, the
United states CommissiOner-He De-
mics the Charges Made Against Him
The Alleged Conspiracy OF the Board
tnghOusc Keepers-Antictpation OF
Their Trial for Combining to Evade
and Nullify the United states Laws-A
Square Fight.
Last evening HERALD reporter was sent to
Brooklyn to see United States Shipping Commits
sioner Duncan with reference to certain allega-
tons made by Captain Tucker and others as to the
alleged mismanagement OF the Sailors Exchange
in Cherry street. The veteran commander OF the
Quaker City was found at home, and after wei
coming his visitor said 81 felt certain that the
HERALD would hear my version OF the case. The
sailors clearinghouse keepers, continued he,
.'are engaged in square fight with the
United States authorities and I may add
that confidently believe that l shall
soon succeed in breaking up the conspiracy.
THE CASE OF THE SHIP NORTH AMERICA.
We actually engaged thirty-one bona Jde men
for this Ship SO as to make lull allowance for those
men who would not ship. When men engage TO
ship we cannot be responsible that they will carry
out their contract. Our ofiice is only to witness
the signatures OF seamen, explain the voyage and
see that they are sober when they are engaged
We then take their address and give them an adj
frauds, or are spirited away. we can not help H..
Under ordinary circumstances we could have the
sailors arrested and put on board, because the
landlords, being interested, would help as, but
now they secrete them and hide them away. The
sailors are degraded and debauched In every way,
and the landlords have them IN their power
through their getting IN debt The cap
tain OF the North America and her owner.
law by permitting them to ship a crew out
side. This naturally refused TO accede TO, but TO
help them in their plight, ! wrote to the Commits
Gil n IN laaif ha nn1d
and upon their arrival here engaged to have their
signatures witnessed. The Captain was Justified
In putting to sea with his crew, obtained through
the clearinghouse Keepers, because the law pro-
vdas section 14 that deserters may be replaced.
During the month of April we have sent to sea
efghty-three ships, carrying 102l men, and to pro-
vide for this complement We have had to engage at
least 1000, for as last as our men would engage
suaded away. Shipping fees will only be charged
for the men we actually snip.
CAPTAIN DUECAN'S EMOLUMENTs.
My salary rs Commissioner Is SIS, 600 a year pro-
vidcd that there Is that amount left alter paying
expenses OF the office. ANY deficiency lose The
am President OF the East Side Savings Bank, with
plenty OF work but no salary. The profits OF the
bank are divided among the depositorS, / am not
interested in the c thing store Kept the basement
OF the Sailors Exchange. l have seven deputies,
and my son Charles ID. Duncan is one OF them, but
he does not receive anything like salary OF
$4,000. Another son, George, Is cashier OF the
bank ana also Deputy Commissioner. but his total
salary Is less than that OF Charles. The same APP
plies to my other son, Henry, who is in charge Of
the steamship department. With the exception
OF these three mentioned have no other relatives
about the place. With reference to arbitration
fees," have never received or charged a cent for
the work and have prevented good many law
suits The law makes the Commissioner settle
disputes between sailors and captains. | am
responsible to the Circuit Court OF The United States
for my conduct and to the shipowners OF this
port, and am willing to exhibit the books OF my
Office to them, should they wish it. have reason
TO hope that the trial OF the saors' clearinghouse
Keepers for conspiracy against the United States
laws will soon take place, and think that good
many OF them will be ''sent up.n
CONCLUSION.
The other charges made against me are false.
Before you go would remark that any detention
OF vessels In this port for want OF which may
must not be ascrbed to the law or lis execu-
ton, but to the combinations OF sailors landlords.
AS to the Grinnell- Mnturn case, the sailors were
paid on at the exchange fixed by agreement with
them at their point OF departure. Thanking Mr..
Duncan for his statement the reporter babe him
good NIGHT.