New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-17
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
poOR JACKS GINNING FOES.

POOR JACKS CUNNING FOES
ATTEMPTS OF BoARDING-HOUsE AGENTS TO srEAL
HIS ADVANCE wAGEs--FoRGED NOTES PRESENTED
TO THE SHIPPING COMMISSIONER.
Of all the land-sharks who prey upon the
sailor when port the cunning are the board
ghouse teepeTs There honest landlords, OF course
bot their reputation class is unenvabe, and the re-
passage ~ the shipping Act was intended more as
safeguard against these than all other enemies OF the
Since the passage OF this act 10 june 1871 this
class OF have been prevented from swndng Sailors
but an opportunity for plumber is apparently al
lowed TO 40 unimproved. and, though bafied at many
points, they are by no means disheartened
The new shipping provides that a sailors advance
wages shall he paid at the Office Of the United States
Shipping Commissioner in his presence, that Of one
Of his deputies These wages generally paid at the
Commissioners Office about three days after the vessel
,ais An advance is made previous to the de-
parure Of the vessel stating the amount due the sailor
and other necessary particulars This note indorsed
by sailor and made payable to his landlord or cred
nor who collect the face OF the note three days
sails provided the sailor is on board and
regular duty The form OF the note is as folloWs'
TEAxASs ADVANCE MOTIF 49,
a.,,-, o, Che S] 1of fisn TevY tSi for
I pioSise to psy or bis order dollar, provided he
,s & earning @ or psIU sra9 com nn SS
This note will be paid unless the following receipt
the back is flied out and signed:
.chnovedge e have received from . ID hs 'q Rs, o.
P' sI % The within note Fay mat amount 10 Ii" OF
Tins note is given by the sailor to his creditor who
presents IL at the shipping Commissioners Office, Where
II is paid when IT falls due The delay OF three days after
abe sailing OF the vessel necessary from the fact that
sailor her before she out Of the har-
Dor or in case Of nutnes might be compelled TO be put
Oh before his advance wages had been earned BY
this system the shpowners pay the sailors advance
directly 70 the Commissioner, ana themselves pro
teeted as wen as the seamen
A short time ago deputation Of the Association of
sailors Landlords representing 100 clearinghouse
keepers waited upon Commissioner Duncan and de-
Inanded that the sailors advance be paid directly
them and that they should be permitted to select
for FROM their houses, instead Of allow
aug the captain the Commissioner 10 do what the law
requires.
Commissioner Duncan refused TO recognize them 10
any way, and said that he would furnish and pay of
crews according TO the law The boardin keepers
enraged at their failure and Immediately set about
Seyisng keep the sailors Of the office OF the
Chipping Commissioner. Thoagh they did everything
In their power 10 thwart the Commissioner in his
efforts TO obtain crews, they were only partly
successful, ana the only effect the deten
ton of few vessels. Though the organization
comprised nearly all landlords. and though all were
pledged 10 do everything in their power TO prevent the
sailors from shipping yet reached the Commission
er's ONCE shipped without delay. Some OF the
landlords are therefore faithess TO the organization
70 which they belong For the few days they have
concealed their hostility and crews have been more
readily obtained The landlords say that they great
rsks in discountng the sailors notes and want their
money the sailor is on board. Should this de-
mand be granted accompice Of the boarding house
aeeper could 20 on board ship the land could at
once draw the advance wages, aud the sham sailor
could land again before the vessel passed Sandy
Hook TO landlords argument Of the great risks they
are obliged TO run the Commissioner replies: "send
your then soon as they are out OF money
and not allow them TO run IN debt"
During the past few days a number OF the advance
notes described have been presented 10 the Com
missioner for payment without being Endorsed by the
sailors The plea was made by the landlords that the
sailors left port hastily, sick, for some other
reason unable sign them, but handed them TO
che bearers for collection On all such notes payment
mas been peremptory refused, the person presenting
them being told that he get the sailors signature.
OF forged notes have recently been presented
for payment though is probable that no successful
fOrgeries have yet been ade, great is taken in
comparing the Signature the note with that made by
the sailor at the Commissioners Office when he signed
articles Of agreement previous 70 sailing Payment
has in all been refused. Tie fOrgeres easily
detected From the action Of the landlords in holding
NY may be experienced by some vessels 10 search OF
crews, but II Is probable that the combination will not
last than week