The New York herald., 1873-12-12

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SERIOUS EVIL.
Another source OF serious EVIL to the German
emigrant is the exchanging OF his gold aud silver
com and paper currency and purchasing drafts on
New York city previous 10 embarking at Bremen,
Hamburg and other ports They are not only sub
ected 10 loss from ignorance Of the difference in
vaiue OF United states money as compared with
their own; they also suner the further risk OF re-
which the country is full. The execution and finish
OF il is perfect as TO deceive experienced cash.
iers mere and bankers abroad. Many poor emil
grant on his arrival here finds his money thus ex-
changed 10 be entirely worthless.
There is also incalculable evil arising from the
booking OF passengers IN Europe for inland passage
or Transportation In the United States, and selling
them tickets TO be used this side OF the Atlantic.
THESE tickets are oiien grossly overcharged for,
often leading over circutous routes, and they are
frequently imposed upon by fraudulent tickets.
This practice OF selling tickets in Europe was COM
the Pennsylvania Railroad had, through
some dereliction OF outy rendered HIM
self obnoxious to the commissioners OF
Emgratlon aud in consequence was debarred from
the privilege OF selling tickets In Castle Garden,
and the company retired for period nom the
Garden. Previous to this the three railroad lines
running from New York west--tne New York Gen.
trai, the New York and Erie and the Pennsylvania
Central-had offices located in Castle Garden.
These companies mutually combined to destroy
competition by equally dividing this trafc between
them. For this privilege tney jointly paid an an
ers OF Emigration OF the State OF New York. These
companies were afterwards relieved from the pay
ment OF this sum and were allowed gratultously
to continue the sale OF tickets to emgrants with
the same privileges they had before enjoyed.
When the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Company
withdrew, rather than comply with the demand
n Commissioners that another agent he 10.
pointed 1t immediately established agencies
throughout this country and Europe Tor the sale OF
tickets over Its route. The result soon convinced
the other companies that this road was outstriping
them in the sale and they soon followed in the
same path.
UNscRuPuLoUsNEss OF AGENTS.
The strife Tor business between the different
companies developed the practice OF paying large
commissions to agents for the purpose oil securing
this carrying trade both in Europe and here. 1t
also resulted in INSCRIPTIONS agents taking ad-
vantage OF the ignorance OF the emigrants and
selling them tickets by circuitous routes and also
in filing Castle Garden with these agents under
cover OF lodging and boarding house Keepers; mis-
sionaries and even the employees Of the Commission
Itself were pribed Tor the same work.
This practice involves great injustice 70 the emf
grant lor the reason tnat, when he has not pur-
that he is going TO stop in New York. and, without
the protection OF the Commission. ne is the prey Of
Since the system OF selling tickets was adopted
the apparent stoppage in New York has increased
from IA to 4o 45 and 90 per cent although the real
grant purchases his ticket in Castle Garden he is
and sne r en Of he the
when he purchases It outside he is without
that protection. II the commission paid on
railroad tickets to these agents were abolished, and
all tickets were sold by regular agents OF the COM
panies, under the protection OF the Commission
not he diverted rom New YORK the NATURAL point
OF declaration in this country, and the fare could
be reduced at least Is per cent with no loss upon
the present profit and the emigrant would be
saved from the deception and wrong now 80 often
practised upon him. both at home and abroad.
THE TRANSPORTATION OF THE MIGRANTS.
The manner of transporting the emigrants from
the steamships TO Castle Garden, and the response
billty OF their baggage while In transit. has been
for long time a vexed question. Although the
steamship company is not relieved OF the RESPONSE
blity OF steerage passengers until they are
deyoves unon s them the, have hitherto relnsed rs
pay for anything lost by the emigrant before he
has received the check from the railroad agent In
exchange for the paper receipt given him on board
the steamship and the railroad company refuses to
assume liabilities until the passenger resolves its
check. There are as many as 5000 packages
landed IN one day, and with the greatest care
some will be lost.
The transportation OF these people from Castle
Garden 10 the cars is also matter OF importance.
The sight OF women and children perched on boxes
driven In baggage wagons through the streets OF
the CITY,, while men and boys trudge behind on
foot in all kinds OF weather from Castle Garden to
Twenty-thiTd street. TO the depot OF the New York
Central Railroad, has long been offensive to the
citizens OF New York. This company ought to be
compelled, when taking the responsibility OF
this work, to transport them in a more re-
spectacle manner. The protests OF the Commls-
have so far been treated with silence
by IT, The Erie Railroad Company has met the de-
able spirit worthy OF imitation. They have fitted
up barge OF the most comfortable cha racter,
quite worthy Of first class tra1ic, with every ac-
commodatl0n for comfort and convenience. This
barge conveys the passengers and their baggage
directly from Castle Garden landing across the
river TO their depot In Jersey CITY, thus saving them
from the evils which invariably assai them when
they go through the city. The Pennsylvania Central
road have large and commodious depot near Cas-
tie Garden, ano thus save the long tramp to the
upper part Of the city. A trip made from New
YORK to Chicago the dinerent parts OF the three
November convinced me that the railroad traffic,
like the steamship transit, through competition,
has been greatly improved Emigrant trans, as
SUCH. are no longer run west OF Buffalo, N. Y,
by the Erie and Central roads, or west
OF Pittsburg, Pa, by the Pennsylvania Central
Railroad. At these points the emigrants are put
into the smoking car OF the express trains at Pitts
burg Pa: at Buffalo and Suspension Bridge the
cars OF the emgrant trains are attached to the
press trains The time consumed by the emigrant
train is six hours In excess OF the express train.
The cars are comfortable, the seats are covered
wh wafer ais and & e anu are
the different companies differ but little In charac-
ter. The fact that competition has improved this
trade is still more apparent at Chicago, at which
point there are greater number OF competing
roads. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Rail-
road, which IS fair example OF other lines, conveys
emigrants on express trains, leaving Chicago at
ten A. M and arriving at Omaha at ten O'Clock the
next morning; also leaving at ten p. NJ, arriving at
Omaha at ten O'Clock the next evening. There is
very little difference In the cars used for emigrants
and those for other passengers. They are the same
in construction and accommodation. This COM
pany, having large tracts Of land to sell, offers
every possible inducement Tor those people who
In search OF homes TO travel over It's road. IL
has established, at Burlington, Iowa; Lincoln,
Neb., and at omaha, rest or home, where oppor-
tunity IL given for bathing, washing and cooking,
and fuel for this purpose II furnished free.
THB EMIGRANT wEaT OP OMAHA.
All this Is In contrast with the methods and ac-
commodations given west OF Omaha, where COM
petition ceases and there is but road 10 do all
the carrying. did not go west OF Chicago, but
am informed, upon the most reIlabe authority,
tat at this point, where the Union Pacific Railroad
alone has the control Of transportation, from FIRST
elias cars and express trains, the emigrants are
put into cars with rough wooden benches for
seats and small windows too high to look out or
attached TO freight trains which consume eight