New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-04
1919
IuUIGRATION HEAD MONEY,

STEAMSHIP AGENTS DECLARE THAT AN INCREASE OF
THE TAX WOULD DRIVE THR COMPANIES To
OTHER FORTS
reporter of The TRIBUNE visited the
offices OF all the principal European steamship lines on
Saturday purpose OF learning the attitude of the
steamship companies in relation to the bill recently In
troduced in the State Senate for the increase OF the COM
mutation tax on immigrants All were OF course united
in opposing the passage OF the b but there some
diversity OF opinion 10 the effect OF such measure
The most important OF the facts obtained
were the following In the City OF New
York the Communication tax immigrants
IA now 81 So and an effort is making to increase 1t to 81
In Baltimore the tax is only 90 cents and In Phiade
pha and Boston there ia tax imposed The effect OF
this state OF affairs argue the steamship agents. can be
readily imagined It has tendency TO drive the steam
ship lines from NewYOrk to Philadelphia or Baltimore,
or more especially to Boston. OF course tho mere
matter Of 81 difference the mmgran tax Will not OF
itself effect this but there other circumstances
10 be taken Into account. OF the principal difficult
ties which the steamship companies are now obliged 10
contend with at this port the imperfect machinery for
handling freight. In Philadelphia and Boston, the
railway cars all directly alongside tho steamer;
here In New.YOrk no such convenience is Afforded
and 1t becomes necessary transport freight mile in
some cases by In other particulars the railway
companies furnish much better accommodations to the
steamship lines at the ports referred to- II now In adj
dton the greater facilities for handling Merchandise
other cities will permit the companies to land their im-
migrants without imposing tax, and thus save to them
$50 OF 81 each passenger, there Will DO
desire their part TO their vessels into other
ports than New-York n is said that the now Amen-
can steamship Company. whose steamers run between
Liverpool and Philadelphia. furnishes accommodations
to the emgrant at TIA expense, similar 10 those
furnished by the New-York Emigration Bureau IL
costs the immigrant nothing and tho Steamship Com
pany afford to boar the entire expense. such an
enterprise not favored here however, by the New
York steamship liues They well pleased for tho
most part with the present conducted but
are confident that the present tax OF 81 90 ia III every
way sufficient 10 pay all its necessary expenses The
most grieyous complaint OF any entered against
the management OF the Emigration Bureau IA
that it is sccumulatng property at tho
expense OF the immigrant and steamship companies.
The last report OF the Commissioners of Emigration, 1t
is said shows that property Wards Island has been
accumulated at expense OF about sSoOOOO which Is
now worth 81 100000. Is 1t Just, ask the steamship
agents that tax which by law Is imposed only for the
support tho immigrant should be used in the erection
OF buildings costing nearly million Of dOllarsi These
buildings, IL is maintained, should be provided
at the expense OF the state aud not by the immi
grants nearly all OF whom arrive AZ SewYork arry
few hours only and then depart for the West Here
again strong objection Is made 10 paying TAX OF VI %
or s. support OF immigrant who only remains
day in NewIork Most immigrants are OF TINS class
Another objection strongly urged by the agent or ono OF
tho principal steamship lines between this port aud
Liverpool Is the manner or supporting the paupers on
Wards Island. At present destitute Immigrant Is
entitled to support by the Emigration Commission :or
period Of FIVE years after his arrival in .his coun.
Try In consequence OF THIS policy II Is alleged
that large number OF Migrants como 10 this country
for support and many the vendors OF fruit at the
street close up their business rs the cold weather
approaches it is asserted, and come back tn the Com
missOners Tor support during the winter. Inc law ne
thought, should DO amended a. to provide for the
support Of such paupers for period OF not more than
two years; and when II was discovered that man or
belonged 10 such class ne or she should DE re-
turned to Europe AT Onte free OF charge. To this
arrangement the companies would willingly agree.
with regard to the rates OF passage money tine agents
rm that they are now at lowest possible figure.
Moreover they assert that they were misunderstood IN
their interview with the COmHss iOnefs OF Emigration
at the time when the head money about being
duced. The Commissioners maintain that the agents
fairly and dstIncly promised on that occasion That II
the proposed reduction should be made IL would at
DO followed by corresponding reduction in the
rates OF passage. Tine agents all maintain that
only told the Commissioners or Emigration that they
would bring immigrants 10 this country as oheapy 40
such reduction in the head mouey was made, the'
steamship companies actually dld reduce their
claimed. was brought about largely by the reduc-
ton in the communication tax. since that time 1t
is said the rates have now beeu raised In answer to
the inquiry whether the success OF the present bill
would probably again Increase the passage rates nearly
all the agents replied that il would not They thought
would not be for their interest 10 raise the rates OF
passage since there was now 30 much compeu-
ton from other ports that an increase IN passage
money would naturally affect their business
They feared, however they could not successfully
compete with lines running To Boston or Philadelphia
nothing. The effect OF increased tax would be, not
so much the increase rates. the driving OF the
sells TO other ports OF entry The present Bureau OF
Emigration nearly all the agents Thought well man
aged though expressed the opinion that the mum
Der OF employees much too large aud all condemned
the accumulation OF property by means OF the head
money received on immigrants.
---------------------